Smiling is a part of our everyday life. Some people may be self-conscious about their smile because their teeth have yellowed over time. If this is the case, you have probably considered teeth whitening remedies that can help remove surface stains from your teeth.
Key Takeaways
- Yellowing of teeth can be caused by various factors like the consumption of coffee, red wine, smoking, eating acidic foods, or insufficient tooth brushing. Moderation in consumption and regular dental hygiene practices can prevent discoloration.
- Maintaining good oral hygiene is crucial to teeth whitening. Dentists recommend brushing at least twice a day and flossing regularly. Also, regular dental checkups can help in teeth cleaning and prevention of tooth stains.
- Both baking soda and hydrogen peroxide can be effective home remedies for teeth whitening. However, hydrogen peroxide may not be suitable for those with sensitive teeth.
- Although not scientifically proven, oil pulling with coconut oil, an ancient remedy from India, has been reported by many to remove stains and discoloration from teeth.
- Another natural remedy for teeth whitening is activated charcoal. However, excessive use can thin the tooth enamel layer and may not be suitable for children.
- Fruits like strawberries, and products like apple cider vinegar, can help remove stains and discoloration from teeth. Banana peels can also be gently rubbed on teeth for a whitening effect.
- These at-home whitening products contain mild bleach and abrasives to remove stains and plaque. However, they should not be used continuously for a long period of time.
- Book a Dental Checkup and Cleaning: Regular checkups and professional cleanings can help in maintaining whiter and healthier teeth. Hamilton Mountain Dental provides routine checkups and cleaning services.
What Causes Yellow Teeth?
Over time, your teeth will start to yellow and change from their natural white colour. Discolored teeth can be caused by a number of different things. Some of these might include drinking coffee or red wine, smoking, eating acidic foods, or not brushing your teeth enough.
While it’s not necessary to stay away from all food and drinks that can stain teeth, they should be ingested in moderation and should be followed by brushing and flossing.
Six Ways To Whiten Teeth At Home
There are several DIY or natural teeth whitening remedies that you can do at home. Here are six tooth whitening hacks to help get rid of yellow teeth stains.
1. Floss and Brush Your Teeth Regularly
First and foremost, you need to build a strong oral health routine. Dentists recommend that, for healthy teeth, you brush your teeth at least twice a day (once in the morning and once in the evening) or after every meal. This can prevent plaque buildup and makes for healthier whiter teeth.
As well, you need to floss. Flossing is one of the most important parts of your oral hygiene routine and can help with tooth sensitivity and prevent gum disease, gum irritation, and tooth decay.
Another step in your journey towards good oral hygiene is to book and attend regular dental checkups and cleanings. These appointments will allow dentists to give your teeth a really good cleaning which can give you whiter teeth over time. As well, they can also work to prevent tooth stains before they happen. Any at-home whitening methods or remedies should be used in addition to regular dental cleanings.
2. Brush With Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide
If you’re looking for a way to whiten teeth with things you already have at home, you might try using baking soda which has many uses including whitening teeth. Some kinds of toothpaste actually have baking soda as a main ingredient because of its cleaning properties. You can mix baking soda with some water until it creates a DIY whitening toothpaste.
Another way to use baking soda is with hydrogen peroxide. Again, many products already contain hydrogen or carbamide peroxide (a chemical containing hydrogen peroxide). This can help lighten the look of stained teeth and kill bacteria; however this method shouldn’t be used on sensitive teeth.
3. Oil Pulling
Another remedy for a brighter smile is coconut oil pulling. This is a natural remedy from India and involves swishing oil in your mouth and through your teeth to remove stains and toxins. Many people who use this teeth-whitening remedy prefer using coconut oil because of its taste.
To start, take a tablespoon of oil and swish it in your mouth, being sure to “pull” it through your teeth before spitting. It’s recommended that you continue this for about 15-20 minutes.
While there is no scientific research that says that this practice is effective at tooth whitening, many users have noticed that this practice helps to remove discolouration.
4 Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal is one of the natural remedies you can use to keep your teeth pearly white. Charcoal can also be found in some tooth-whitening products as it can help with stain removal.
However, it’s important to not use charcoal for too long as it can thin the tooth enamel layer. As well, charcoal should not be used with small children as it is too rough for developing and growing teeth.
5. Fruit!
While including more fruits and vegetables in your diet will help with your overall health, they can also help keep your teeth clean.
Strawberries, which contain malic acid, can remove some extrinsic stains on your tooth structure when mixed with baking soda. It’s been said that the strawberry will help remove the discolouration while the baking soda whitens your teeth by buffing away stains.
Others claim that if you gently rub banana peels on your teeth that it can whiten them. Apple cider vinegar is another at-home fruit product that is said to help you get white teeth.
6. Whitening Strips and Toothpaste
Finally, the last of the teeth whitening treatments are at-home whitening products. These include whitening toothpaste, strips, whitening pens, whitening trays, and other products. Many of these contain mild bleach and mild abrasives to whiten teeth overnight. The natural bleaching agent is used to remove any stains while the abrasive is to rub away any plaque or food.
Tooth bleaching and tooth whitening kits are ways in which you can clean up staining teeth. However, these teeth-whitening products should not be used for long periods of time. Instead, break it up with regular toothpaste to give your mouth a break.
FAQs on Teeth Whitening
1. What causes teeth to become yellow over time?
Teeth can yellow due to a number of reasons, including the consumption of stain-causing foods and drinks such as coffee or red wine, smoking, eating acidic foods, or inadequate brushing and flossing. Aging also causes the enamel on teeth to thin, revealing the yellowish dentin underneath.
2. How often should I brush and floss my teeth to maintain their whiteness?
Dentists recommend brushing your teeth at least twice a day, preferably after every meal, and flossing at least once a day to prevent plaque buildup and staining. Regular dental checkups and cleanings are also essential to maintaining oral hygiene and tooth color.
3. Is it safe to use baking soda and hydrogen peroxide for teeth whitening at home?
Yes, baking soda and hydrogen peroxide are common ingredients in many toothpaste and teeth whitening products. However, they should be used with caution, especially if you have sensitive teeth, as overuse can lead to gum irritation or enamel erosion.
4. Can fruits help in teeth whitening?
Certain fruits like strawberries, containing malic acid, can help remove some extrinsic stains from your teeth. The combination of strawberry and baking soda is said to remove discoloration while the baking soda helps to buff away stains. Similarly, some people claim that rubbing a banana peel on your teeth can have a whitening effect, although these methods are not scientifically proven.
5. How do whitening strips and toothpaste work?
Whitening strips and toothpaste often contain mild bleach or other whitening agents, as well as mild abrasives. The whitening agents work by bleaching stains from the tooth surface, while the abrasives help to physically scrub away any plaque or food debris. These products can be effective, but should not be used for prolonged periods without breaks to prevent tooth and gum sensitivity.
Hamilton Mountain Dental
Looking to brighten your smile? Hamilton Teeth Whitening offers teeth bleaching and tooth whitening kits are effective methods to address stained teeth. But remember, these whitening treatments shouldn’t be used continuously for an extended period.
Interchange them with your usual toothpaste to allow your oral health a breather. Eager for a dazzling smile? It’s time for a routine checkup and professional cleaning at Hamilton Mountain Dental, your trusted Dentist in Hamilton.
Visit us today at 79 Rymal Road West, Hamilton, ON L9B 1B5 or give us a call at 905-388-1977 to book your appointment!
