Teeth turn yellow due to a number of reasons. It might be a result of activities such as smoking or consuming a lot of teeth-staining food items such as tea, red wine, and the likes. It may be due to dental problems such as thinning of the enamel, or maybe it’s just because you have naturally yellow tooth enamel.
Whatever the case might be, one thing is certain – you want the bad, yellowy tooth color gone!
Most people avoid going to a dentist for teeth whitening because it can cost quite a lot. Plus, it often leads to sensitivity issues, and the results are not that long-lasting either.
When it comes to looking for ways to whiten your teeth at home, there are so many options that choosing the right one can become a challenging task.
To help you get rid of teeth stains and achieve a charming, captivating smile, here are the top 3 safe and effective ways to whiten your teeth at home.
Homemade Toothpaste Using Baking Soda
Baking soda has been hailed as a teeth whitener since the beginning of time. Many commercially available brands of toothpaste contain baking soda as a primary ingredient, whereas people also use the soda in its raw, powdery form to whiten their teeth at home. However, using the powder directly is not recommended as it is quite potent and can easily cause permanent damage to the tooth enamel. The best approach is to make your own teeth whitening toothpaste using baking soda.
Combine one tablespoon of baking soda with two tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide. Mix well to form a paste. Make sure it is not gritty and has a thick, smooth consistency. Apply the paste onto your toothbrush and brush gently for a minute. Rinse with clean water.
Why It Works: When combined with the hydrogen peroxide solution, baking soda releases free radicals. These radicals react with the stain-causing molecules that have settled on the tooth enamel, breaking them down so that they are easily removed from the surface of the teeth.
When to Use: Less is more when it comes to using baking soda for teeth whitening. Use this toothpaste a maximum of two to three times a week and repeat until you see the desired results. Discontinue use after that, although you can start again when needed.
Results: The results aren’t too visible after the first use but become more prominent when you’ve used it a couple of times.
Apple Cider Vinegar Mouthwash
Apple cider vinegar is a really versatile product – and one of its many useful properties includes teeth whitening. It can be mixed with baking soda, but it carries the risk of creating an abrasive action that can damage your tooth enamel as well as increase the sensitivity of your gums. Using a diluted form of apple cider vinegar as a mouthwash is a safer and more effective practice.
Combine two parts of the vinegar with one part water and swish the mixture around in your mouth for about 2 to 3 minutes. Spit it out and thoroughly rinse your mouth with plain water.
Why It Works: Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid. Acetic acid has natural cleansing and antibacterial properties. It also works as a disinfectant, protecting your teeth from microorganisms responsible for bad breath, sensitive gums, and the yellowish appearance of your teeth.
When to Use: Excessive exposure to acetic acid can result in erosion of the tooth enamel. Therefore, limit the use of this mouthwash to about thrice a week.
Results: This mouthwash does not give instant results when it comes to whitening teeth, but it makes a significant difference when you follow the remedy for 3 – 4 weeks.
Home Teeth Whitening Kit
Home teeth whitening kits are becoming all the rage these days as they are quick and easy to use – and above all, they give instant results! Talk about flashing a dazzling smile that was achieved in a flash.
There are many teeth whitening kits available in the market. They come in different forms that vary in the whitening intensity and use different strategies to lighten teeth stains.
Although these kits definitely work, there is quite a debate over whether they are safe to use or not. So, if you are considering using such off-the-counter teeth whitening tools, make sure to do your research beforehand.
Why They Work: Different kits work differently. For instance, some kits include a teeth whitening pen that contains a special gel. When rubbed on the teeth, the gel forms a thin film that helps in whitening your teeth. Other products such as the Glo Home Teeth Whitening Kit use light optics technology to remove stains and whiten teeth without any harmful side effects.
When to Use: Home teeth whitening kits are generally preferred if you have a special occasion coming up and need to whiten your teeth instantly. Since traditional home remedies do not typically give immediate results, you can use whitening kits on an urgent basis.
Results: All teeth whitening kits usually give instant results after the very first use.
Conclusion
Whitening teeth at home is safe and effective if done correctly. In addition to the methods discussed above, there are various other ways to naturally whiten your teeth at home. For example, certain vegetables or fruit peels are known to have a bleaching property. This includes strawberry, papaya, banana peels, and orange skin, to name a few. Other methods include applying coconut oil or turmeric paste for stain removal. Regardless of which method you use, the key is to avoid trying to whiten your teeth too much or repeating the process too frequently. Excessive attempts at teeth whitening can cause permanent enamel and gum damage or create more serious dental problems that weren’t there in the first place.
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