Everyone wants a brighter, healthier smile. But when it comes to teeth whitening, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by the available options. With whitening toothpaste and mouthwashes, DIY whitening strips and gel, bleaching kits, and other remedies to choose from, how can you whiten your teeth safely and naturally from home?
Our dentists will walk you through the safest natural home remedies and explain how to whiten your teeth at home without causing damage to your enamel.
What Causes Yellow Teeth?
Yellow teeth are a common condition. In fact, it's one of the most common dental complaints. A recent study by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry shows that up to 80% of people want a whiter, brighter smile–and they’re willing to pay for it. The global tooth whitening market is worth over $6.14 billion and is forecast to grow.
Yellow teeth are caused by a combination of factors, including genetics, diet, stress, smoking, medication, and poor oral hygiene. While there’s no one-size-fits-all solution for whitening your teeth, you can start by looking at the different causes of yellow teeth. Once you understand the root of the problem, you can come up with an effective solution.
How Can I Naturally Whiten My Teeth?
Cut Back On Things That Stain Your Teeth
The easiest and best way to whiten teeth at home is to cut back on the things that are causing yellowing. Try cutting out soda, coffee, or tea if you’re a big caffeine drinker. If you’re a smoker, that’s one of the leading causes of yellow teeth–time to quit!
By reducing your intake of the things that cause yellowing, you’re making it easier to lift stains and achieve true whitening. And after all, if you’re spending all this time and money on properly whitening your teeth, you don’t want to waste it by re-staining them!
Keep Up Good Dental Hygiene
Poor brushing and flossing habits can contribute to a yellow smile. Make sure that you’re removing plaque and stains by brushing twice a day for at least two minutes and flossing once daily. This keeps your smile clean and naturally whitens your teeth using better habits.
Make sure that you’re getting into all the nooks and crannies when you brush. Use a gentle, circular motion to ensure you're getting under your gums and between your teeth. Make sure you hit the inside, outside, and chewing surfaces of each tooth.
Microdose Whitening Through Your Dental Hygiene Routine
If you have a sparkling clean mouth and still struggle with yellow teeth, it’s time to look at your products. The toothpaste you use can contribute to the yellowing, so it’s important to make sure you’re using one high in fluoride.
You can also use whitening toothpaste, such as Crest 3D White. If you have sensitive teeth, Colgate Whitening Toothpaste for Sensitive Teeth is an excellent choice.
Mouthwashes can also contain teeth whitening products. Crest Pro-Health Advanced with Whitening is one of our favorites.
Using products with small amounts of whitening agents can help lift your stains and brighten your smile over time, meanwhile minimizing damaging your enamel.
Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide
If you want to learn how to whiten teeth at home fast, another great example is baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. Both have natural whitening properties and work to lift stains. When combined, you have a DIY tooth whitening paste!
Mix one tablespoon of baking soda and two tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide. Mix until they form a paste. Use this mixture in place of your toothpaste. This is a completely natural remedy that certainly costs less than the average teeth whitening products.
However, it takes a little longer to see results, and you aren’t guaranteed to lift the deeper stains. But when used daily, there have been proven whitening results. It can naturally whiten your teeth.
Have a Dentist Whiten Your Teeth
If none of these methods work for you, or if you’re looking for a professional level of whiteness, there is no safe way to achieve this at home.
As with all DIY, there are risks when you whiten your teeth at home. Using professional-grade whiteners can lead to weak enamel and spots on your teeth when used incorrectly.
The biggest advantage of having your teeth whitened by the dentist is their knowledge and years of experience. They can determine if your teeth are healthy enough and in good enough condition to undergo whitening. They’ll be able to properly apply the whitening products and ensure they avoid damage while still achieving dramatic results.
Teeth whitening carried out by a dentist uses a much higher dose of carbamide or hydrogen peroxide than in over-the-counter treatments. Whereas whitening strips may contain 6% hydrogen peroxide, a professional dental whitening solution may be made up of 35% hydrogen peroxide.
The dentist uses the same ingredients–just at a much stronger potency. This means it requires much more careful handling. But it also means faster and more dramatic results! You’ll see a noticeable difference in just one sitting.
Whiten Your Teeth in Little Rock
If you’re looking for a whiter, brighter smile in Little Rock, Arkansas, contact Dean Dental Solutions! We can answer all your questions about how to whiten your teeth safely at home or schedule an appointment for professional whitening in the safety of our practice.
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