Bright white teeth are mandatory for a beautiful smile. If you’re not among the lucky few who were born with naturally white teeth, then you’ve probably been wondering how to whiten teeth. What’s the best way to go? Embark on a DIY and try various teeth whitening alternatives right at home or, on the contrary, resort to a professional who know exactly how to make your smile look like a million dollars?
Every person prefers a different approach, even more so because teeth are different and don’t react the same to the same treatment. Before making the big decision (whiten your teeth at home or going to the dentist’s), peruse the following instructions so you know what’s in store for you, whichever way you choose to go.
How to Whiten Teeth at Home
1. Baking Soda
One of the cheapest solutions for whitening your teeth at home is to use baking soda for brushing your teeth. You’ll surely find this remedy in your kitchen cupboard. It acts as a mild abrasive, helping your teeth stay clear of stains. If you want to learn how to whiten teeth with baking soda, here are some different techniques:
- On its own – the most straightforward home treatment for whitening your teeth is to mix baking soda with lemon juice or water. To create the paste, simply combine one part baking soda with one part water/lemon juice, apply it on your brush and gently but firmly start brushing your teeth. For stubborn stains, you can leave the paste on for a couple of minutes, following with up extra scrubbing. To avoid desensitizing the teeth, only do this every other day.
- Mixed with hydrogen peroxide – a clever combo, this two-ingredient DIY treatment uses the power of hydrogen peroxide that will kill the bacteria in your mouth and the abrasiveness of the baking soda. Here is how to whiten teeth with this concoction: combine a teaspoon of baking soda with half a teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide and use the mixture to brush your teeth. Allow it to sit for a couple of minutes and rinse it off with water. Repeat the process twice a week.
- Combined with sea salt and strawberries – an unusual combination, baking soda, strawberry pulp and salt complete each other and have the potential to fight off plaque and bacteria. To make the paste, mash 2 strawberries and mix them with a pinch of sea salt and half a teaspoon of baking soda. Wipe your teeth with a tissue and apply the paste with a toothbrush. Leave it on for five minutes and then rinse with mouthwash. The treatment can be repeated each night.
2. Whitening Toothpaste
There is a vast market out there catering whitening toothpastes that meet the highest exigencies and suit the needs of various types of teeth (sensitive, very stained, naturally yellow). Used twice a day, or even more often, an efficient whitening toothpaste will make you see a difference in a couple of weeks.
Crest, Opalescence, and Colgate are some of the best-selling whitening toothpaste that are inexpensive and promise good results in a short time. However, since they can comprise harsh chemicals, you should ask your dentist before starting using any whitening toothpaste on a daily basis.
3. Oil Pulling
Natural home remedies enthusiasts swear by this unconventional technique of brightening your smile. Coconut oil has sundry health benefits used both internally and externally. One less known powerful benefit is that of cleaning teeth and loosening plaque. Here’s how to use coconut oil to whiten teeth.
Take a tablespoon of organic coconut oil (in its liquid or solid form) and start swishing it around your mouth, pushing and pulling the oil to get the most out of the treatment. This can last anywhere from 10 to 15 minutes, depending on your comfort level. At the end, spit the coconut oil, thoroughly rinse with water and brush your teeth. This treatment can be done 2-3 times a week and can keep the teeth free of cavities and stains.
4. Whitening Strips
This is an efficient and quick way to whiten teeth at home. The results can be seen after the first session, especially if your teeth have coffee or wine stains. The most popular whitening strips are Crest 3D white luxe, although the reviews are mixed. Most users complain about toothaches that last for one or two days after using the strips. Clearly, this treatment is not meant for sensitive teeth.
All whitening strips are not difficult to use. They are applied on dry teeth and left for up to 30 minutes (or according to the instructions). When the time is up, they are easily peeled off the teeth. It’s recommended to use a special whitening toothpaste between sessions. The treatment can be repeated every two weeks or once a month if you want to maintain your teeth white.
5. Whitening Pens
Another simple way to make your teeth look brighter is to use a whitening pen. The packaging of the product makes it super user-friendly and foolproof to apply. The “pens” usually contain a mixture of water, glycerin, hydrogen peroxide, sodium hydroxide, and carbomer, which aim to remove stain and plaque from your teeth from the first application.
Preventing Teeth Stains
It doesn’t suffice to use harsh chemicals for whitening your teeth. You should also pay attention to what you eat. Many foods and drinks can stain or damage the enamel of your teeth. Keep in mind these pointers:
1. Quit Smoking
Smoking it’s not only an expensive habit that will wreck your lungs, it will also give you bad teeth. The harmful smoke you inhale on a daily basis will slowly (but surely) damage the protective layer of your teeth, leaving them vulnerable and exposed to bacteria.
2. Drink Less Coffee
Coffee’s reputation precedes it: it stains teeth, especially if you like to enjoy two to three cups of the warm liquid throughout your day at the office. The pigments from the coffee can get lodged in the pits of the teeth;s enamel, giving way to stains and cavities.
3. Use a Straw
A good way to prevent your teeth coming in contact with coffee, black tea, fizzy drinks or red wine, is to use a straw. This way, the potentially damaging liquid won’t get the chance to affect your teeth
4. Brush Your Teeth after Eating or Drinking:
- Blackberries
- Beets
- Blueberries
- Red wine
If you’re still unsure how to whiten teeth on your own, ask your dentist about a suggestion. Take their input into consideration, since they know what type of treatment suits your teeth.
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Very useful and important tips for teeth whitening. The important factor is that all the tips are cheap or free and can be easily implemented.