Five Natural Methods for At-Home Tooth Whitening
A smile goes a long way and it adds color and beauty to your conversations. You might wonder at times how I can whiten my teeth at home. Normally, the answer to how to whiten my teeth comes in the form of buying products from the general store but there are ways behind which science plays a role to bring you shiny teeth. Using consumer products have a problem with them and that is the use of bleach which is a huge concern for people.
Why do teeth appear yellow?
You should know that teeth lose their dazzling, white brilliance and become dull due to a variety of reasons. Some foods tend to make your enamel, the outermost layer of teeth, turn yellow, and sometimes plaque buildup can cause them to look dull which erodes enamel and exposes naturally yellow dentin.
Ways to whiten your teeth
1. Use of Oil Pulling
Oil pulling is a common technique that originated in India to improve your oral hygiene overall. The method involves swishing oil in your mouth so it reaches different areas removing all that toxic bacteria which causes the yellowness of teeth. Coconut oil is a popular choice. Oil pulling involves pushing and pulling one tablespoon (15 ml) of coconut oil between your teeth. You might need to wait a few seconds for the coconut oil to melt because it is solid at room temperature. Continue drawing the oil for 15 to 20 minutes.
2. Use baking soda as toothpaste
A gentle abrasive like baking soda can help remove surface stains from teeth. It also creates an alkaline environment in your mouth which inhibits the bacteria to take hold. Use the resulting paste to brush your teeth after combining 1 teaspoon (6 grams) of baking soda with 2 teaspoons of water (5 ml). This can be done a couple of times per week.
3. Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen Peroxide has been traditionally used to keep wounds safe from bacteria. It is a natural bleaching agent. Although very diluted amounts seem safe, high concentrations or excessive use might irritate the gums and cause dental sensitivity. Before brushing your teeth, use hydrogen peroxide as a mouthwash. To prevent adverse effects, make sure you’re using a 1.5 percent or 3 percent solution.
4. Eat fruits and vegetables
This is a natural method of keeping your teeth healthy. It has been proven that consuming raw fruits takes all that plaque away and helps to keep bacteria that cause teeth dullness away. Fruits like strawberries and pineapple have both been linked to teeth whitening claims hence do consume them regularly.
5. No substitute for prevention
In the end, we will advise you to keep your teeth clean before they turn yellow. Simple dental flossing followed by brushing can go a long way and never underestimate the power of prevention. Therefore, whenever you think, how can I whiten my teeth, read through these methods and get your teeth immune from that dull yellow color.
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