Are you planning to whiten your teeth at home? If you want that beautiful smile, you have various options! And here we are going to share with you some easy ways to effectively whiten your teeth at home on a budget.. as well as the pros and cons!
First, why do your teeth turn yellow?
As you age, the outer layer of your teeth, also called enamel, will naturally become yellow.
Plaque build-up, some antibiotics, certain types of dark colored- food, such as coffee, tea, dark berries, red wine, and soda will stain your tooth enamel.
Similarly, if your tooth enamel is damaged, it may reveal the yellow layer beneath it, called dentine, and which is naturally yellowish as well…
But there are many solutions to whiten your teeth and fix that! And here are some simple methods you can apply at home.
5 simple ways to whiten your teeth at home
1-Oil pulling
This is a traditional and ancestral Indian method where oil is used to remove the plaque from the teeth. Indians mostly used sesame seeds for oil pulling, but any oil can be used for this.
Coconut oil is a popular choice. It tastes better than the rest and has health benefits over others. Coconut is rich in lauric acid, which can also kill bacteria and lower inflammation.
Studies show that oil pulling reduces the chance of gingivitis and plaque in the mouth and some people did report that their teeth look whiter after oil pulling.
How to perform oil pulling?
Take a tablespoon of coconut oil in your mouth. If it’s solid, allow some time for it to melt in your mouth.
Then pull and push oil through your teeth for 15 to 20 minutes. Once done spit it out on the toilet or trash can. Keep in mind, in-room temperature oil can solidify and block pipes.
2-Brushing with baking soda
Baking soda is a natural whitening ingredient. It’s used in toothpaste as well as in cosmetics.
Baking soda has a slightly abrasive effect, which can remove stains from teeth. It’s also alkaline, hence it can prevent bacterial growth in your mouth.
Toothpaste with baking soda has shown some teeth whitening effects. However, it is slow and a long process.
One study with toothpaste containing baking soda showed that the plaque was removed more effectively when compared with a group who used toothpaste without baking soda.
How to use baking soda on teeth?
Take one teaspoon of baking soda with two teaspoons of water. Mix it and form a toothpaste. Brush a few times a week with this mixture to see whitening effects.
3-Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a natural disinfectant. It contains acetic acid that can kill bacteria, whiten teeth, but could also damage teeth enamel. This is another product that needs to be used carefully since it can soften and weaken teeth enamel.
How to use apple cider vinegar?
Dilute apple cider vinegar by adding water to it. It will lower the side effects of the acetic acid. You can then use it as a mouthwash. Once you are done, remember to wash your mouth with plain water again.
4-Fruits & vegetables
Fruits and vegetables contains fibers. As you chew them, their fibrous texture can brush away the plaque from the teeth.
Any fruits or vegetables can help remove plaques, however, only strawberries and pineapple have whitening effects on teeth.
Strawberry
It contains malic acid which can make your teeth whiter. On top of that, strawberry and baking soda paste are popular among celebrities for teeth whitening.
For this, smash a strawberry and mix it with baking soda. Use the paste to brush your teeth. Only use the paste a few times a week to avoid damage to your teeth due to excess use of baking soda..
However, the effects are not as noticeable as the previous methods, and there is less evidence to prove the effectiveness of this process.
Pineapple
Pineapple contains bromelain. It is an enzyme that seems effective for removing stains from teeth.
As with the strawberries, you can smash it and mix it with baking soda. Then use the paste to brush your teeth. Only use the paste a few times a week to avoid damage to your teeth.
5-Use Hydrogen Peroxide (also called carbamide peroxide)
Hydrogen peroxide is a bleaching agent, it can also kill bacteria effectively and might be the most efficient way to whiten your teeth..Scientific studies show that brushing with toothpaste containing baking soda and 1% hydrogen peroxide can whiten teeth in 6 weeks.
How to apply hydrogen peroxide?
You can buy 3% hydrogen peroxide from the store and mix it with equal parts of water to make it 1.5%. Once diluted, you can use it as a mouthwash before brushing. Make sure it is diluted enough before taking it in your mouth.
Similarly, you can mix two teaspoons of this diluted solution (1.5%) with one teaspoon of baking soda and brush your teeth with it. Only use this mixture a few times a week. Excess use of baking soda paste can damage the enamel of the teeth.
Is it possible to use teeth whitening kits containing hydrogen or carbamide peroxides instead?
If you don’t want to start calculating and diluting the hydrogen or carbamide peroxide, you can also directly buy whitening products containing the right concentration of peroxide.
Most of the home teeth whitening kits contain gel using hydrogen peroxide, also called carbamide peroxide. Once applied directly on your teeth, and coupled with a LED light, they can give you dramatic results.
Be aware that when not choosing wisely, they can also irritate/burn your gums and tooth enamel. So if you go for this option, we highly recommend you to ALWAYS use teeth whitening kits especially designed for sensitive teeth, that do not damage your gum or teeth, and always include a remineralizing step.
How to keep your teeth white and prevent any new stains?
1-Remember that dark colored-food stain your teeth
- Coffee, tea
- Dark berries
- Ded wine
- Soda
Avoid them to keep your teeth appealing. Limit their intake, or if possible use a straw to avoid direct contact with the tooth enamel. You can also try brushing your teeth right after consuming them.
2-Avoid sugar!
Sugar can cause plaque and therefore induce the yellowing of your teeth. So, reduce your sugar intake to maintain a bright smile.
3-Increase calcium intake
Your teeth need calcium to keep their structure strong. If you take more calcium, it can lower the corrosion of the enamel. So, your teeth remain white for a longer time.
4-Give importance to brushing and flossing!
The main cause of yellow teeth is plaque. Brushing and flossing can remove plaque. So, you can keep your teeth white by doing that regularly.
Final words..
As you can see, there are many ways to whiten your teeth in the comfort of your own home. But most of them are slow and long processes. Hence, dentists suggest teeth whitening products using hydrogen or carbamide peroxides over other methods.
But keep in mind, these peroxides can also damage your gums and teeth. So, before using any teeth whitening products, consult a dentist first for safety or ONLY use teeth whitening kits especially designed for sensitive teeth. These ones are completely safe, they do not damage your gum or teeth, and always include a remineralizing step to keep your teeth strong and healthy.
Happy Smile 🙂
