Naturally, teeth are of a light greyish to a yellow shade, not pearl white. However, bright white teeth have become a social prerogative; so much so that most people are spending a significant part of their day, trying various commercial products and DIY fads to bleach their teeth pearl white. If that sounds like you, here are the ways you can whiten your teeth at home.
Bleaching products with hydrogen peroxide
You can bleach your teeth naturally using hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide also has antimicrobial properties. Even most commercial teeth whitening products contain some amount of hydrogen peroxide. But using it on its own means you get the opportunity to use heavy concentrations for powerful tooth bleaching effects.
Brushing with baking soda
Baking soda paste is a mild abrasive and helps scrub stains off teeth surfaces. It also creates a high PH environment in the mouth, keeping bacteria from causing further damage. Studies show that brushing with pastes containing hydrogen peroxide and baking soda can make your teeth 62% whiter - in under (just) 6 weeks.
Whitening toothpaste for the save against stains.
If you are eating and drinking stain-causing products, why not fight back the discolouration every time you brush your teeth?
Contrary to what you may read online, most whitening pastes are safe and quite effective against teeth stains when adopted as part of a larger DIY teeth whitening routine. They won't cause acne and tooth sensitivity.
Indeed, some whitening toothpastes are harsh on the enamel if used daily; the wise thing to do is consult a dentist. Keep an open mind, though, because this only helps remove surface stains to reveal the truest colour of your teeth, which may not be pearl white. In case of yellowing due to deep stains, try professional teeth whitening (we will be here if you need).
DIY whitening trays and strips
You can also bleach your teeth on your own using over-the-counter teeth whitening trays and whitening strips. These are flexible materials that gently fit around the teeth. They contain either peroxide-based whitening substances or other whitening gels dispensed by you (the user) to whiten your teeth surface - and in between.
You can get an OTC whitening tray or ask a dental professional for custom-made molds.
DIY teeth whitening kits
There are complete teeth whitening kits on the market that use some proprietary gel (usually containing carbamide peroxide) and LED activation to brighten your teeth pearl white. You can use the kits after brushing - for just about 10 minutes a day - for a brighter smile. Watch out for the clinical grading/rating, though. You want to get a kit that is gentle on your sensitive teeth, caps, braces, crowns, and bridges.
DIY teeth whitening pens
Another option for the home is teeth whitening pens. These pens can work to remove some surface stains, but will not do too much against severely stained teeth. It is not recommended to use them while wearing braces as some areas of the teeth will get whiter, leaving the parts covered by braces stained. These pens also do not work on crowns or veneers!
Practice excellent dental hygiene
In as much as your local London, Ontario, dentist has a fix for your stained and rotting teeth, these are by no means substitutes for healthy oral care.
Avoid sugary or coloured beverages. Drinks like red and white wine are highly acidic, and as the acid makes contact with your teeth, it deteriorates the enamel - causing the 'yellowing' of teeth.
If you must drink tea, coffee or soda, use a straw, this keeps the strong coloured or sugary beverages from making contact with your teeth. Use a straw with your water too. It may seem like a silly thing to do, but it's useful in activating saliva flow, which is the mouth's natural defence system. Also, the water removes any food particles stuck between your teeth.
Brush your teeth right after drinking sugary or coloured beverages: This is a great solution to keep acid from spreading and damaging your entire mouth.
Lastly, eat a lot of fruits and vegetables for healthier teeth. Fruits like pineapples and strawberries are said to help fight teeth discolouration.
How about brushing using a baking soda and strawberry mix? Some celebrities swear by it, it has got malic acid to fight discolouration and baking soda to scrub away stains. Some thoughts and ideas for you to try and ponder. Just have fun with it (teeth whitening) by exploring different options like the ones listed above and enjoy the process.