Issue #158: Is Teeth Whitening Safe?
Good morning. It’s Wednesday, March 29th.
Today’s Quick Win
From the Lab: White Teeth
Speed Read: Don’t Wait For a Holiday/Birthday
What We’re Listening To: Rich Roll Podcast
“Smile, it lets your teeth breathe.”
The percentage of people that believe their smile is the number one social asset. (Source)
From the Lab
Our smile says a lot.
Just like “symmetry” has been documented as a measure of attractiveness - in the U.S. especially - straight, white teeth might also help you find a partner, get a job, or be associated with success (see Stat of the Day).
Straight, white teeth requires an investment of time and money - so this communicates to society that you have financial means and care about your body.
Explains why 67% of Americans have tried to whiten our teeth and that the teeth whitening market is now over $2B in the U.S. and $7B globally.
So is teeth whitening safe?
Short answer is yes, but…
Both at-home and in-office whitening tools mostly use hydrogen peroxide - it’s acidic nature allows it to remove electrons from molecules of stains (from coffee, tea, wine). The broken down stains are then removed and teeth look whiter.
If you use as recommended, then low concentration of these products are fairly safe.
That said, there is a risk of also breaking down the enamel and minerals of the teeth if used too much/often OR if you are already on the path to gum disease or have tooth sensitivity.
If you’re considering teeth whitening - seems like the Crest Sensitivity is a good option with the lower concentration to prevent too much risk of hurt enamel. If you want a non-hydrogen peroxide option Lumineux uses essential oils and has 4.5 stars from 25K reviews on Amazon.
Some other things you might see online:
Oil Pulling - I periodically swished coconut oil (with peppermint) for 10 minutes. The science isn’t proven this really helps. My mouth feels fresh afterwards, but you can see how it works for you and no promises
Use a Straw - I would imagine you’re not looking to drink your morning coffee or glass of red with a straw - but it’s an option. I’ve tried to use a straw more frequently with my smoothie that also has some staining potential
Avoid Charcoal & Baking Soda - these might end up being good options, but haven’t found any confirmed studies that these are completely safe (might be abrasive)
BONUS: Yesterday (Issue #157) we talked about the oral microbiome. If you are really concerned with bad breath or want to learn more about what’s in your mouth - check out Bristle (no affiliation). It gives you quantifiable data on the biggest risks for you personally and a plan to clean everything up.
Thrive25 Partner Spotlight
Today’s the day! Dr. Tracy Gapin will be presenting research and findings for how to optimize your health in tonight’s free webinar.
Learn about what High Performance Health means and what it takes to get more energy, lose weight, have better sex, and live longer.
Don’t forget - sign up for tonight’s free webinar from the Gapin Institute! Click HERE.
Speed Read
Health & Longevity in the News
Mediterranean Diet: Diets come and go as quickly as fads. But the Mediterranean diet has stood the test of time and, increasingly, scientific evidence is formalizing the benefits - lowering heart disease, fighting off dementia and cancers and increasing overall life expectancy. (Medical News Today)
Levels in the Road to Longevity Final 4: Not just for the continuous glucose monitor and personalized insights on your nutrition, but also for their blog. This article shares 13 high-fiber meals across breakfast, lunch and dinner to help your metabolism. (Levels Health)
Daily Gratitude for Happiness: It’s easy to show gratitude on birthdays or around holidays, but what if you did this consistently? You’d reduce stress and boost happiness. Try these out daily - identify photos for a gratitude album on your phone, take a beat to breathe and be more patient (maybe using breathing.ai), share your gratitude attitude with others, and reflect on 3 things that make you feel grateful before bed. (CNN)
What We’re Listening To | Rich Roll
I came across Rich Roll’s podcast awhile back and really appreciate how he connects with his guests to unlock who they really are - not just what we see from an outside perspective. His recent guests have included author Seth Godin, co-founder of Def Jam Recordings Rick Rubin, doctor Peter Attia, 100-ft wave surfer Garrett McNamara, and actor Zach Braff.
When listening to his conversation with Peter Attia - I became immersed in hearing his story of being a perfectionist and personifying his inner critic in the voice of Bob Knight. It hit home as I became more aware of how I speak to myself.
Beware - these aren’t short (or shallow) episodes!
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The information in this newsletter is for informational purposes only and may not be appropriate or applicable based on your individual circumstances. Thrive25 Labs LLC does not provide medical, professional, or licensed advice. Please connect with your healthcare professional for medical advice specific to your health needs.