TikTok may have breathed new life into the banana peel teeth whitening trend, which has a staggering 32.1 million views on the platform alone, but it’s been around for over a decade now! And while it’s hard to beat the allure of “natural” and “cheap” teeth whitening methods, as far as banana peels are concerned, their effectiveness remains a question mark.
But that hasn’t stopped droves of netizens from trying this DIY “hack” for themselves, and there are those who claim to have seen results from it. But does it actually work? Let’s find out!
Does Banana Peel Whiten Teeth?
There’s not sufficient evidence to suggest that banana peels can whiten the teeth. While there’s no denying the health benefits of eating the banana itself, it’s unlikely that it will actually whiten your teeth.
It is commonly claimed, however, that banana peels contain minerals like potassium, magnesium, and manganese that can be absorbed by the teeth, helping whiten them. But again, there’s want of evidence.
In fact, a 2022 study published in the Brazilian Dental Journal compared the whitening efficacy of natural products like banana peel, charcoal and turmeric on bovine teeth. The researchers concluded that popular natural products used to whiten teeth but not intended for that purpose lack whitening efficacy, regardless of the time for which they’re used.
And even if there’s some anecdotal evidence in favour of this method for whitening the teeth, there are others who say that it did nothing for them.
How Is Banana Peel For Teeth Whitening Used?
There are different ways in which banana peel for teeth whitening is used. Generally, it may involve the following:
- Take the peel of a ripe banana; you can cut it short if it’s too long.
- Rub the inside of the peel against the teeth for a couple of minutes.
- Allow the peel rub to sit on the teeth for 5-10 minutes while not letting your lips touch the teeth.
- Brush the paste off using a toothbrush with toothpaste.
It is said that using the banana peel on your teeth daily for 2-3 weeks will eventually give you the bright, white teeth that you’re looking for. However, as mentioned above, these are all just claims.
One technique even involved putting baking soda on the inside of the peel and then rubbing that onto the teeth. Baking soda is a popular ingredient in toothpaste and is used to reduce tooth stains because of its abrasive nature. But its abrasive nature has also led some to raise concerns about its usage.
Moreover, as reported by Verywell Health, the use of baking soda alone for teeth is not American Dental Association (ADA) approved because it lacks fluoride (which is what protects against tooth decay). Therefore, if you are thinking of dabbling with DIY dentistry, make sure that you talk to a qualified and board-certified medical professional first.
How Can You Really Whiten Your Teeth?
Teeth whitening using bleaching agents such as carbamide or hydrogen peroxides is usually considered truly effective. There are different treatments/products that contain them, some of which are as follows:
- Whitening strips – Whitening strips can work to get rid of stains on the teeth. However, since they have a low concentration of peroxide, they might not work so well if the teeth are badly stained. You also have to be careful about their proper usage.
- Whitening pens – A teeth whitening pen is another product that can be used at home to whiten teeth. It also works by using the popular bleaching agents. But again, they might not give you dramatic results if the teeth are significantly discoloured.
- Teeth whitening trays – Teeth whitening trays can also be used at home, but they can be available at a dentist’s as well. The bleaching solution will be present in the tray for whitening. Due to a possibly longer wear time, they might be a bit of a hassle.
- Whitening toothpastes – Whitening toothpastes can contain peroxides or abrasive agents like chalk or silica to help with stain removal. But these might also give you limited results.
- Professional in-office teeth whitening – In-office teeth whitening is generally considered to give the most noticeable results because the hydrogen peroxide used can have a concentration of up to 40%. Its results are also immediate.
Keep in mind that each treatment can have its pros and cons, and you should consider consulting a dental professional about your specific needs so they can advise you accordingly.
Besides teeth whitening, make sure to always maintain a good oral hygiene by brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing to get out any food stuck in the spaces between your teeth.
Conclusion
Banana peel teeth whitening is one of those bizarre-sounding (and looking) DIY dentistry trends that has had legs for a long time now. And even so, the evidence of its effectiveness remains thin. It’s not even clear how this kind of teeth whitening would work (if it did).
If you have discoloured teeth or are experiencing any other dental issues, it’s important that you get in touch with a board-certified professional who can prepare an effective treatment plan for you after thoroughly assessing your problem.
Reviewed and approved by Dr Izbel Aksit