Teeth whitening is a gift, for everyone loves to see whte shiny teeth. A person is always in his or her most beautiful self when he or she smiles. And your dazzling teeth are just like those attractive cherries on the top of a delicious cake. Now you must be thinking that not everyone could be that lucky.
Having artificial white dazzling teeth is a matter of money, time, dentist appointments, and enduring painful and uncomfortable processes. Most people become reluctant just when those thoughts cross their mind.
But what if that’s not true? What if there are many natural and safe methods to own that envious dazzling pearly white smile? Are you in now?
Then let’s read on to unfold some of the natural yet magical ways that could work wonders to your teeth and would leave you baffled with the smile you always longed for.
Teeth whitening and the odds of it
Teeth whitening is a popular treatment for dental staining or discoloration caused by coffee consumption, specific foods, tobacco, and the natural ageing process.
In fact, according to a 2015 survey conducted by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD), teeth whitening was listed among the most in-demand and prominent cosmetic dentistry procedures done by over three hundred dental specialists.
Whereas teeth whitening can be both safe and efficacious but using the incorrect method can cause irreversible damage to your teeth.
The following are some of the consequences of whitening your teeth incorrectly or with some specific products:
- Sensitivity of the teeth
- Teeth etching
- Itching of the gums
- Teeth appear more discoloured than before the whitening procedure.
- Greater possibility of tooth fracture
- Teeth absorb more stains than they did before staining
- Loss of enamel protection
For example, if your enamel wears away, your teeth will become more sensitive and darker in colour. Therefore, in order to avoid these dangers, it’s best to use safe at-home tooth whitening products or professional teeth whitening from your dentist.
But before we delve into it there’s a very good question that you need to think about. What makes your teeth appear yellow? Did you spare any thought to it before? No issues, let’s find out the answer then.
Why do your teeth appear yellow?
Teeth appear dull and dreary and lose their bright, white sparkle due to a variety of influences. Specific types of food can stain the enamel, the outer part of your teeth.
There are mainly two reasons. Teeth turn yellow either due to intrinsic or extrinsic discoloration.
The outside of your teeth is affected by extrinsic discoloration. It is brought on by the intake of specific food and beverages, for instance, tea, red wine, coffee, and foods with dyes. This type of tooth discoloration can also be caused by tobacco smoke.
Plaque formation on your teeth can also cause them to appear yellow. This type of discolouration is typically treatable with routine cleaning and whitening solutions. Extrinsic discoloration can be treated with whitening products because it only affects the outside of your teeth.
Intrinsic discoloration develops within the teeth. A childhood illness, genetics, infection, trauma, ageing, or medications are all common causes of this type of yellowing.
Moreover, teeth can appear yellow because the hard enamel has been stripped away, exposing the dentin beneath. Dentin is a yellow, bony tissue that exists beneath the enamel of the teeth.
In that case, professional whitening treatment is usually the only option to remove intrinsic discoloration.
Homemade methods of Teeth Whitening
Isn’t it tempting to know that the ingredients in our own kitchen could hold the key to a dazzling smile? So, without further ado let’s have a look at some of those extremely familiar ingredients around us that can work wonders to your teeth:
Oil pulling
Oil pulling is a traditional Indian folk remedy used to enhance oral hygiene and rid the body of toxins.
Swishing oil around in your mouth removes bacteria, which can transform into plaque and end up causing your teeth to appear yellow. For oil pulling, Indians typically used sunflower or sesame oil, however, any oil will do.
Coconut oil is an excellent preference because it tastes good and has numerous health benefits. Coconut oil is also rich in lauric acid, which is known for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
A few research works have found that oil pulling on a daily basis prevents bacteria in the mouth, as well as plaque and gingivitis.
Streptococcus mutans is a species of bacteria that causes plaque and gingivitis in the mouth. In one study, daily swishing with sesame oil reduced Streptococcus mutans in saliva in just a week.
However, no scientific studies have been conducted so far to demonstrate that oil pulling whitens your teeth. Nevertheless, it is a safe practice that is worth a shot. Many people claim that regular oil pulling makes their teeth whiter and brighter.
Regular flossing and brushing
Oral hygiene has no alternative and is a tried and tested method for keeping your smile in pristine condition.
Toothpaste just removes stains from the surface of your teeth tenderly. Whitening toothpaste works in the same process but with a higher ingredients list, although they do not bleach your teeth.
Flossing removes food and bacteria that can harden into plaque, which causes your teeth to appear dull and darker. As a result, regular flossing along with brushing is an assured way to secure your dazzlers.
Brushing with baking soda
Baking soda possesses natural whitening and brightening properties, which is why it is commonly used in our normal toothpaste. It’s a gentle abrasive that can aid in the removal of exterior stains on teeth.
Furthermore, baking soda sets up an alkaline environment in your mouth, which inhibits the growth of bacteria. This is not a quick fix for teeth whitening, but you are sure to notice a remarkable difference in the appearance of your teeth after using it for some time.
According to research, toothpaste having baking soda was remarkably more efficacious than conventional toothpaste without baking soda at removing yellow stains from teeth.
The greater the concentration of baking soda in that particular toothpaste, the stronger will be the effect.
Besides that, a meta-analysis of five studies discovered that baking soda toothpaste cleared plaque from teeth more successfully than non-baking soda toothpaste.
To use this remedy, make a paste of 1 teaspoon baking soda and 2 teaspoons water and brush your teeth with it. This can be done a few times per week.
Hydrogen Peroxide
It is the bleaching agent used in the majority of home whitening kits. It actually alters the colour of a tooth. A study revealed that painting a six percent hydrogen peroxide over-the-counter gel on teeth made a significant difference after a fortnight.
Cheaper bottles of liquid from the drugstore typically have a lower percentage. Swishing, according to the American Dental Association, will most likely irritate your gums before it whitens your teeth.
While highly diluted concentrations appear to be safe, high concentrations or excessive use can cause gum irritation and tooth sensitivity. There is also speculation that high doses may cause cancer, but this has yet to be proven.
One application for hydrogen peroxide is a mouthwash before brushing your teeth. To prevent side effects, ensure that you’re using a 1.5 percent or 3 percent solution.
A 3 percent solution of hydrogen peroxide is the most typically available concentration at the drugstore. By combining equal amounts of peroxide and water, you can effortlessly dilute this concentration to 1.5 percent.
Another alternative to using hydrogen peroxide is to prepare toothpaste by combining it with baking soda. Brush your teeth softly with a combination of 2 teaspoons hydrogen peroxide and 1 teaspoon of baking soda. You can use this homemade paste only a few times per week to avoid eroding your enamel.
Fruits and vegetables have a significant role to play in teeth whitening
A diet rich in fruits and vegetables may be beneficial to both the body and the teeth. While not a replacement for brushing but crunchy, raw fruits and vegetables can help rub plaque away as you chew. Strawberries and pineapple have both been claimed to help whiten your teeth.
Teeth whitening with a strawberry and baking soda mixture is a natural home remedy popularised by celebrities.
Many people benefited from this method and claim that the malic acid in strawberries will eliminate discoloration from your teeth, while baking soda will buff away stains.
Pineapple has whitening properties too. A study discovered that a toothpaste containing bromelain, an enzyme found in pineapples, was considerably more efficient than conventional toothpaste at removing tooth stains.
It’s better to avoid tooth stains even before they appear
- Avoid foods and beverages that cause teeth staining
Coffee, red wine, soda, and dark berries are notorious for causing tooth discoloration. No need to avoid them entirely, but you can surely reduce the amount of time they come into contact with your teeth.
It is generally advisable to limit drinking beverages that are known to stain teeth. Should you consume then use a straw if possible to avoid direct contact with your teeth.
Furthermore, brush your teeth approximately half an hour after consuming one of these foods or beverages to minimize their effects on your teeth.
Besides that, both smoking and chewing tobacco can cause tooth discoloration.
- Reduce the intake of sugar
Reduce your sugar intake if you want whiter teeth. A high-sugar diet promotes the growth of Streptococcus mutans, the predominant type of bacteria responsible for plaque and gingivitis. If you eat something sugary, brush your teeth right away.
- The more calcium in your diet, the healthier is your teeth
One of the common reasons for teeth discoloration is due to enamel erosion. Erosion of enamel exposes the yellow dentin underneath your tooth. As a result, anything you do to strengthen your teeth’ enamel will help keep your teeth as white as pearl.
Calcium-rich foods like milk, cheese, and broccoli may help protect your teeth’ enamel from erosion.
Bottomline
There are a number of natural ways to whiten your teeth. But the majority of these treatments work by softly removing surface stains from your teeth.
Nevertheless, most dentists provide more effective whitening remedies than these natural ones. They entail bleaching the teeth, which may be more efficient in cases of extreme tooth discoloration.
Any whitening product used excessively can harm your teeth. Therefore, always consult your dentist about your choices and which ones would be ideal and safe for you.