Have you ever smiled into the mirror and noticed your teeth were a little too reminiscent of that cup of coffee you enjoy each morning? Teeth-whitening solutions range from expensive high-tech treatments, to commercially available strips and gels, to a vast number of cheap DIY suggestions posted on social media sites like Facebook and Pinterest. While some of these low-cost whitening methods may work, others may be ineffective or actually do more harm than good.

The folks at Cosmopolitan took a look at several of these DIY suggestions for brightening your smile on the cheap and found some that work and others — like the ones listed below — that are better off avoiding:

1.) Baking Soda-Lemon Juice Mix — While the mixture uses ingredients that can easily be found in most kitchens, Dr. Kevin Sands, a Beverly Hills dentist, tells Cosmopolitan the solution can break down the outer layer of your teeth.

“This can be dangerous,” he says. “Baking soda is abrasive and lemon juice is highly acidic. The combo can be erosive to the enamel.”

2.) Baking Soda Paste — Mixing baking soda with a few drops of water to create a paste seems fairly simple. But keeping that concoction on your teeth for 10 minutes will probably feel like an eternity.

As with the previous DIY method, Dr. Sands warns that using baking soda can be too abrasive if brushed harshly against enamel, causing more damage than whitening.

3.) Homemade Cinnamon Mouthwash — Swigging a bit of cinnamon water — complete with honey and lemon — doesn’t sound too bad, but Dr. Sands says the combination is too acidic and high in sugar for a daily whitener.

As Cosmopolitan points out, the lure of DIY or home remedies can be strong, but its important to remember that each component of a mixture or treatment has a very different purpose and it might not be right for your needs.

Check out other DIY-whitening remedies to skip by checking out Cosmopolitan’s full list of teeth hacks.

What You Need to Know Before Trying a Pinterest Teeth Hack [Cosmopolitan]

Want more consumer news? Visit our parent organization, Consumer Reports, for the latest on scams, recalls, and other consumer issues.