Are bananas a delicious and nutritious on-the-go snack? Yum – yes, they are. But does a banana peel whiten your teeth? Hmm – that warrants a deeper dive. After all, facts are better than fashion when it comes to oral health.
Banana Peel Teeth Whitening: Will It Give You A Brighter Smile?
What Is Banana Peel Teeth Whitening?
First off, there’s no doubting the nutritional value bananas provide, according to the National Nutrient Database from the United States Department of Agriculture. Your typical banana contains:
- 422 mg of potassium
- 32 mg of magnesium
- 3 grams of fibre.
A banana’s high mineral value is the reason why some believe the peel can be great for whitening. The word on the web is that rubbing the inside of the peel on your teeth before or after brushing for a few minutes will reveal whiter pearly whites in a few weeks.
Does Banana Peel Teeth Whitening Work?
The validity of this trend is based purely on anecdotal evidence. You may have seen mentions of ‘banana peel teeth whitening’ posted, shared, or blogged. But when it comes to removing stains from teeth, no scientific studies prove that banana peels can do the job.
While the American Dental Association (ADA) isn’t saying banana peels are not the right solution for teeth whitening, they’re also not saying they are. Their stance is that certain types of fruit (strawberries, orange peels, lemons) won’t give you positive teeth whitening results. Healthy – sure. Whitening – nope. Their high acid content can actually hurt your teeth, not help them. Our apologies to banana believers everywhere.
Teeth Whitening Alternatives
Fortunately, you can eat your banana and get whiter teeth, too. A few options are available to whiten your teeth effectively:
- Maintain an everyday oral care routine, which includes brushing your teeth twice a day, according to the South African Dental Association (SADA)
- Brush with a whitening toothpaste
- For best results, contact your dentist, as professional teeth whitening can typically remove more stains and achieve a brighter white faster than at-home treatments.
Every option has its own pluses and minuses, so it’s best to discuss them with your dentist to find the right choice for you.
The pros for bananas to boost your health are plentiful. But the pros for banana peels to whiten your teeth are unreliable at best. So keep the fruit in your diet, the peel in the trash, and the whitening discussion with your dentist ongoing.
Disclaimer:
The above information is provided for informational purposes only. Colgate does not accept any liability should the above recommendations have an outcome contrary to the intended result. Always seek the advice of a qualified doctor or dental professional. Do not disregard professional advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read in this article.
