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Bananas are delicious and full of nutrients, but will those nutrients whiten your teeth? A teeth whitening hack has spread across the internet, and you won’t believe the secret ingredient: banana peel. People are rubbing banana peels over their teeth, hoping they’ll be left with sparkling teeth, but does the hack really work? Keep reading to find out if this potassium-rich fruit can give you whiter teeth.
Steps
How to Whiten Your Teeth with Banana Peels
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1Peel open a ripe banana. Pick a perfectly ripe banana—bright yellow and slightly speckled—as people who support this hack suggest using ripened bananas. Open the banana and set aside a part of the peel large enough to cover your teeth. Eat the inside of the banana for a yummy snack, or put it in the fridge for a tasty smoothie later.[4]
- Try peeling the banana from bottom to top, as this will leave fewer strings on the peel.
- Use a knife or scissors to cut your banana peel if it’s too big.[5]
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2Rub the inside of the peel against your teeth. Press your teeth together and move your lips away from your teeth, like you’re grinning. Take the inside of the peel and rub it back and forth against your teeth. Keep rubbing until all your teeth are coated. Let the banana sit on your teeth for about 10 minutes.[6]
- Try not to lick the banana off your teeth. We know it’s delicious, but you can lick it away after the 10 minutes are up.
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3Brush your teeth to remove the banana residue. After letting the banana sit on your teeth for 10 minutes, brush your teeth as you normally would. Use a wet toothbrush with toothpaste and gentle, circular motions to get those teeth nice and clean.[7]
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4Repeat rubbing the banana peel on your teeth daily for 2 to 3 weeks. Those who support this hack claim that you won’t see result right away, and suggest doing the hack every day for 2 to 3 weeks. Try doing it before you brush your teeth every night.[8]
Things You'll Need
- Ripe banana
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Water
Warning
- DIY home remedy teeth whitening methods that consist of fruits, spices, or chemicals are not scientifically supported or recommended by licensed dentists. The studies that have been conducted on such methods show ineffective whitening results and/or damage to the tooth enamel.[15]
References
- ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/teeth-whitening/
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-whiten-teeth/
- ↑ https://www.dentaly.org/en/teeth-whitening/banana-peels/
- ↑ https://youtu.be/7eEENntpKOs?t=144
- ↑ https://youtu.be/7eEENntpKOs?t=159
- ↑ https://youtu.be/7eEENntpKOs?t=168
- ↑ https://youtu.be/7eEENntpKOs?t=198
- ↑ https://youtu.be/nDTljv3z2g4?t=66
- ↑ https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/w/whitening
- ↑ https://www.ada.org/resources/research/science-and-research-institute/oral-health-topics/whitening
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-whiten-teeth/
- ↑ https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/w/whitening
- ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/teeth-whitening/
- ↑ https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/w/whitening
- ↑ https://www.ada.org/resources/research/science-and-research-institute/oral-health-topics/whitening
Medical Disclaimer
The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.
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