Are bananas a delicious and nutritious on-the-go snack? Mmm, actually yes. But does a banana peel whiten your teeth? Hmm, that warrants a deeper look. It’s better to be accurate than trendy when it comes to oral health.
Banana Peel Teeth Whitening: Does It Work?
What is banana peel teeth whitening?
First off, there’s no doubting the nutritional value bananas provide, according to Net Doctor. Your typical banana contains:
- 396 mg of potassium
- 32 mg of magnesium
- 1.7 grams of fibre
It’s a banana’s high mineral value that has some saying the peel can be great for whitening. The word on the web is you rub the inside of the peel on your teeth before or after brushing for a few minutes and get whiter teeth in a few weeks.
Does banana peel for teeth whitening work?
Now the validity of this trend is purely based on anecdotal evidence. You may have seen it posted, shared or blogged. But when it comes to removing stains from teeth, there aren’t any scientific studies that are tagging or liking banana peels for the job.
However there is strong evidence against using other kinds of fruits for teeth whitening. As reported by the British Society for Periodontology and Implant Dentistry, citrus fruits like lemons and oranges contain acids that attack the enamel and can irrevisibly erode teeth. Healthy — sure. Whitening — no. Their high acid content can hurt your teeth and not help them. Our apologies to banana believers everywhere.
Teeth whitening alternatives
Fortunately, you can eat your banana and get your whitening too. There are a few options to whiten your teeth effectively:
- Maintain an everyday oral care routine, which includes brushing your teeth twice a day, according to the NHS.
- 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.
There are pluses and minuses for each option, so it’s best to discuss them with your dentist to find the right choice for you.
The pros for bananas — plentiful. The pros for banana peels to whiten your teeth — unreliable. So keep the fruit in your diet, the peel in the compost and the whitening discussion with your dentist ongoing.
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This article is intended to promote understanding of and knowledge about general oral health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.
