How to whiten teeth naturally at home
Would you like to whiten your teeth naturally? That American Dental Association (opens in new tab) reported that when asked what they would most like to improve about their smile, the most common answer was whiter teeth. while there is information from the Journal of Evidence-Based Dental Practice (opens in new tab) Knowing that professional teeth whitening with bleach makes a difference, many people are looking for natural ways to achieve a brighter smile.
Experts agree that maintaining oral hygiene is critical to healthy, clean teeth. Our guide to the best electric toothbrushes makes brushing your teeth a breeze and can upgrade your dental routine.
You will hear claims about ways to whiten teeth naturally, even though the evidence is often lacking. Worse, some methods could cause harm. It can be confusing, although help is at hand as we consulted the experts and examined the science behind ways to whiten teeth naturally.
dr Safa Al-Naher, Director and Principal Dentist at Serene dental and facial aesthetics (opens in new tab)She says, “Go to the dentist and don’t take matters into your own hands.” A dentist can provide you with expert, one-on-one advice on your options for improving the appearance of your smile.
Also, did you know that a natural smile is not pearly white, but often yellowish? Our teeth are made up of three layers: enamel, dentin and pulp. The middle layer, dentin, is yellow. When the enamel is thin, it can expose the underlying dentin. Learn more in our reference guide: Are teeth naturally yellow?
Cut down on foods and drinks that stain teeth
If you want to whiten your teeth naturally, you should understand why teeth stain. There are intrinsic and extrinsic factors that affect the appearance of teeth American Dental Association (opens in new tab). Intrinsic factors include your age and health conditions that change the color of your teeth. In this scenario, a dentist would have to prescribe a teeth whitening treatment using a bleach to change the color. However, if there are external factors or surface stains, lifestyle changes can improve the appearance of your teeth.
“Avoid anything with strong colorings like tea, coffee, red wine, turmeric, various spices and tomato sauces,” says Al-Naher. While eliminating these is not realistic, you may wish to limit your consumption.
If you don’t want to miss out on your favorite drinks, here’s a nifty trick. “Use a straw to consume colored beverages so they don’t stain your teeth,” says Dr. Manrina Rhode, Aesthetic Dental Surgeon and Owner of DRMR (opens in new tab) Clinic. The straw reduces contact with coloring ingredients and minimizes discoloration.
stop smoking
Not only does quitting smoking have a positive impact on your overall health, but it can also improve the appearance of your teeth American Dental Association (opens in new tab). Achieving a whiter smile may be the motivation you need to quit.
Smoking causes discoloration for two reasons. Nicotine causes yellowing when it comes into contact with oxygen. Also, tar is an inherently dark substance that can cause discoloration.
When it comes to oil pulling, the jury is divorced
You may have heard of oil pulling on social media – although it has its roots in Ayurvedic folk medicine. The idea is that rinsing oil around your mouth and spitting it out removes bacteria. Research from 2009 in the Indian Journal of Dental Research (opens in new tab) suggested that oil pulling might reduce plaque formation. Another 2017 review on Dental hypotheses (opens in new tab) concluded that the evidence for oil pulling is lacking because many studies involve small samples or the method is flawed.
That American Dental Association (opens in new tab) does not endorse oil pulling due to the lack of data on its effectiveness and safety. Alternatively, if you’re worried about missing hard-to-reach spots, consider flossing.
Avoid activated charcoal
There is hype around using activated charcoal to whiten teeth naturally, but does the science back it up? Activated carbon is porous and can trap chemicals Medline Plus (opens in new tab) from the National Library of Medicine. However, experts have concerns about the safety of this method.
“There is more danger than benefit in using natural products like strawberries, lemon, charcoal and baking soda. All of this works by removing the superficial staining on the teeth and making them look whiter to begin with. With continued use, they remove tooth enamel. Tooth enamel once lost will not grow back. Underneath the enamel is dentin, which is even more yellow and delicate,” says Rhode.
Skip DIY treatments with baking soda
The benefits of baking soda as a natural teeth whitening remedy have been touted, but what is the evidence? Baking soda is said to remove superficial stains and result in a brighter smile.
A 1998 study in the Journal of Clinical Dentistry (opens in new tab) showed that using toothpaste with baking soda resulted in whiter teeth compared to toothpaste without baking soda. However, this is an old study and there is no evidence to support the effectiveness of DIY treatments.
Some experts have concerns that baking soda is abrasive, especially when used in excess. It could damage the teeth and could be counterproductive as you could expose the yellow dentin underneath. Al-Naher advises looking for a “toothpaste that has a slightly grainy consistency, like a tooth scrub.” Do not use home scrubs. Use a toothpaste specifically formulated for this purpose.”
Brush regularly
Don’t overlook the importance of daily hygiene. That American Dental Association (opens in new tab) recommends brushing twice a day for two minutes to maintain a healthy smile. The accumulation of plaque can lead to surface stains. Regular brushing can remove this plaque and improve the appearance of your smile.
Be careful not to overdo it. “A lot of people think that they’re whitening their teeth by brushing too much, but they end up wearing away the enamel and leaving behind the yellow dentin,” says Al-Naher.
When looking for ways to naturally whiten your teeth, brushing your teeth properly and limiting exposure to substances that stain teeth can help. Be aware that certain methods have no evidence and may do more harm than good.
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