Background: Discoloration of teeth occurs for various reasons. Common ingredients like substances from tea and coffee, as well as antibiotics like tetracycline, or food dyes, can percolate into the teeth, and, as such, these stains may persist in the porous structure of the enamel. Smoking is also contributory to dental discoloration, with toxins of tobacco smoke accumulating in a similar way. With aging, teeth tend to be discolored with accumulation of various stains in addition to the enamel gradually eroding to expose the yellow dentin.
Highlight: This review focused on the effect of several natural ingredients with teeth-whitening properties and their daily clinical application. Metabolic dental bleaching mechanisms, as well as tooth discoloration and decay, were also reviewed. The current scientific literature (mostly from 2000 to 2020) was consolidated from manuscripts retrieved from Scopus, PubMed, ResearchGate, and Google Scholar.
Conclusion: Natural teeth whitening effectively lightens the natural color of teeth without eroding dental surfaces. On the other hand, commercially available whiteners containing hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide, in high concentrations, can lead to deproteinization and demineralization of teeth through oxidation processes. If used extensively, these compounds may cause a number of adverse effects. Alternative natural teeth-whiteners include ingredients like lemons, strawberries, oranges, papaya, and other fruits. Such natural ingredients offer a milder and safer way of whitening teeth than whiteners containing hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide.
Keywords: Teeth; Tooth bleaching; Toothpaste.
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