Teeth can appear discolored or dull due to various reasons, which negatively affect one’s smile and also impact personality. Yellow or badly stained teeth can take away your sparkle and also influence your self-esteem.
But there are a range of natural teeth whitening strategies that can reverse or slow down this process to a great extent. The teeth-whitening tips usually include avoiding certain foods to occasionally brushing the dull or stained teeth with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide.
Though many tooth-whitening kits are readily available at most pharmacies, and various dental procedures can also brighten badly stained teeth, many people still opt for natural ways in order to whiten their teeth, as these home and natural remedies are safe and help remove stains while protecting the tooth enamel.
Natural Remedies to Whiten Teeth At Home
The following strategies may help you whiten your teeth naturally at home:
Brushing Teeth with Baking Soda
Baking soda can gradually and gently eliminate stains on the surface of the teeth. Some people worry that baking soda might be too harsh for their teeth and may grind away enamel, but research has found it to be a safe way to remove stains. Baking soda also helps fight harmful substances like bacteria, reducing plaque and preventing tooth decay.
Using Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a mild bleach that can effectively help to brighten stained teeth. For optimum results, people can try brushing with a mix of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide for 1 to 2 minutes twice a week. However, people should only try this occasionally.
Making Dietary Changes
Certain dietary changes can also prevent teeth staining. Foods and beverages that contain tannins, such as tea and wine, coffee, dark sodas, and juices, can also cause teeth staining.
Acidic foods can also make teeth appear yellow or dull by wearing down the enamel. People concerned about the color of their teeth should avoid the excessive consumption of foods containing acid in their composition.
Moreover, if you want brighter and clean teeth, reduce your sugar intake. A diet high in sugar supports the growth of bacteria that leads to plaque build-up and causes gingivitis. Moreover, dentists generally recommend waiting at least 30 minutes before brushing the teeth after eating.
Quitting smoking can also reduce the risk of hard-to-eliminate nicotine stains. It can also prevent gum diseases and tooth decay, which can damage the tooth enamel and results in severe oral health issue.
Oil Pulling
Oil pulling means washing the mouth with oil to remove bacteria, dirt, and debris. Research suggests that washing the mouth with certain oils can help to whiten darkly stained teeth. However, to try this method, rinse the mouth with oil for about 15 to 20 minutes after brushing, then spit it out.
Oils suitable for oil pulling include:
- Coconut oil
- Sunflower oil
- Sesame oil
Whitening with Fruit
Some fruits also contain certain enzymes that can help brighten discolored teeth. Bromelain and papain are enzymes that occur in fruits like pineapples and papayas, which can significantly help whiten teeth. Research has found that tooth-bleaching gels containing these substances have substantial clinical potential to brighten teeth.
Chewing High Fiber Foods
Chewing certain high-fiber vegetables can help neutralize the acid in the mouth and protect the teeth’ enamel. Beans and leafy greens like spinach trigger the mouth to produce more saliva, which consequently helps clean the mouth from acid.
Use of Activated Charcoal
Charcoal can also be utilized to remove stains from teeth. Charcoal is highly absorbent, which enables it to effectively remove pigments and stains from darkly stained teeth. It can also be used in order to get rid of harmful toxins and bacteria in the mouth.
Apply the contents of activated charcoal on your toothbrush and gently brush your teeth using small circles for at least 2 to 3 minutes. Be more careful in the area around the gums, as it can be abrasive. Then spit it out.
There are various kinds of toothpaste that contain activated charcoal that you can purchase from any departmental store.
These are all natural methods to help whiten your teeth. Most of these remedies work gradually and slowly but do not impart any side effects to your oral health. However, dentists also offer various in-office teeth whitening treatments that are much stronger and show rapid results as compared to these natural remedies.
They involve various bleaching agents, which may be more effective for severe tooth discoloration. But overuse of any whitening product can adversely damage your teeth, so always consult your dentist about your options and which would work best for you.
FAQs:
What Is The Best Way To Whiten Highly Stained Teeth?
The best way to brighten highly stained teeth depends on various factors, including personal preferences, goals, and the budget of people. Many of the above-mentioned methods can also prove to be really effective for whitening teeth. But the use of hydrogen peroxide has proven to be more effective and has shown more significant and rapid results.
How Can You Whiten Your Teeth Quickly?
Many teeth whitening products can help whiten your teeth quickly. These typically contain peroxide and whitening gels which can be used at home or applied by your dentist.
However, a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda has been proven best in order to acquire instant results. In order to make this mixture, combine at least two tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide with one tablespoon of baking soda. Stir it well until it becomes a paste, and then apply it to brush your teeth. One can see significant improvement in the teeth’ color even after one-time use.
Can Baking Soda Damage Enamel?
Baking soda can effectively help brighten dull or yellow teeth and clean plaque buildup, but it has an abrasive nature. It can damage the teeth’ enamel if people brush it too aggressively, specifically around the gums. That’s why do not overuse this product and try to brush your teeth with baking soda once or twice a week.
