Your white pearls are your personal asset that enhances your beauty quotient every time you flash them! A flawless smile is the cheapest cosmetic you wear that makes you look more beautiful than with all the layers of make-up.
However, what happens when one day you suddenly find the whiteness of your teeth gone for reasons beyond your understanding? You look yourself long and hard in the mirror and let out a loud sigh when you see them discolored.
Home Teeth Whitening Techniques:
Many things can make your teeth lose their beauty, but you may take heart in the fact that there are just as many ways to reverse teeth stains. And yes, you need not rush to the nearest dentist to help get back the original whiteness of your teeth. There are many natural remedial measures that can restore your teeth whiteness, but first, let us understand in brief why discoloration of teeth sets in –
The outer layer of the teeth is ‘enamel’. If for any reason the layer gets eroded then the yellow layer just beneath the enamel, called ‘dentin’, gets exposed, leading to teeth discoloration.
Now let us discuss some simple ways that could naturally brighten your teeth –
Natural methods should be the first and obvious choice for teeth whitening unless there’s an absolute need for professional intervention. Home remedies are safe, cheap, easily available, and bleach-free. Some popular ones are:
👉 Oil Pulling :
Is an old, tried, and tested formula that works wonders! There may not be enough studies to support the theory, but many people have reported positive results. Being completely safe, this one is worth a try!
Take one tablespoon of any oil (coconut, sesame, or olive are the popular choice). Swish it around in the mouth for about 15 minutes taking care not to swallow any. Spit it and rinse the mouth.
The benefits of oil pulling are many; it removes toxins from the body, kills bacteria that can lead to plaque formation and teeth yellowing, reduces gum inflammation, and cures gingivitis. One must practice oil pulling daily for best results.
👉 Baking Soda :
Brushing with baking soda is known to promote teeth whitening. Baking soda is also a common ingredient in most commercial toothpaste because it acts like a mild scrubbing agent that pulls away surface stains on the teeth.
Excess of acid in the mouth from consumption of certain food types could lead to discoloration. Baking soda prevents bacteria from growing by creating an alkaline environment. Toothpaste containing baking soda effectively whitens the teeth by killing bacteria and removing plaque; science is yet to prove the role of baking soda in teeth whitening but results are widespread.
If you are using a standard toothpaste, you may separately add a mixture of a teaspoon of baking soda with 2 teaspoons of water to the paste and brush with it. Practicing this a few times per week is all that is recommended for best results.
👉 Hydrogen Peroxide :
This is a natural bleaching agent that is available over-the-counter. Many have raised safety concerns, but hydrogen peroxide is used in many types of toothpaste mainly for whitening purposes. Used separately, the concentration of the peroxide needs to be toned down. A 3% solution needs to be diluted with water to scale it down to 1.5%. Equal quantities of water are required for dilution. Overuse may lead to enamel erosion, and hence, the use may be limited to only a few times per week.
👉 Fruits and Raw Vegetables:
Discoloration of the teeth is mostly a result of plaque formation which can be prevented by consuming crunchy fruits and vegetables that rub away the plaque. Strawberries, apples, and pineapples are popular choices among fruits. Vegetables like carrots, celery, kale, and broccoli are said to be effective.
👉 Making Certain Lifestyle Changes:
Like limiting consumption of aerated drinks/tea/coffee/wine; limiting or quitting smoking or chewing tobacco and alcohol consumption; cutting back on sugar and starch in food choices. If when you are not totally banning their consumption, it would be advisable to immediately brush your teeth following intake. Sugary substances, starchy food products, cold drinks, tea, coffee, wine, alcohol, tobacco are all infamous for teeth staining.
👉 Increasing Calcium Intake:
Through dairy products like milk and cheese, greens like coriander and spinach, fish, nuts, broccoli, etc. A healthy diet with the right traces of calcium can prevent teeth discoloration.
👉 Never undermine the importance of Brushing and Flossing:
One should maintain proper dental hygiene at all times. Brushing should preferably be done after each meal to dislodge food particles (tiny particles of food in the teeth over time lead to cavities and plaque buildup). Toothpaste exfoliates teeth and scrubs out stains, and flossing removes bacteria.
Conclusion:
Some amount of discoloration of teeth is natural with age, others with genetic reasons. It is always a good idea to take preventive measures and that too with natural remedies at home. However, one should also know when to consult a healthcare provider to prevent permanent damage to teeth. Most dentists use harsh chemicals to brighten teeth which all may not agree with – over time, repeated dental cleaning could also lead to complete erosion of the enamel. Hence, natural ways of teeth whitening are always our safest bet!