How To Whiten Your Teeth The Natural Way
The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry conducted a study in which they asked people what they wanted to improve about their smiles. 90% of the Americans wanted teeth whitening.
Our teeth are like a sponge. They have pores. If you put anything colorful in your mouth, your teeth will absorb it. Over time, the natural color of the teeth changes and becomes darker due to staining. Though yellow or stained teeth doesnt necessarily doesn't mean an unhealthy mouth. It affects ones aesthetics, personality, and self-confidence.
Teeth whitening is a process that makes your teeth appear whiter. It is one of the most requested cosmetic dental procedures. Depending on the products used in the treatment, there are mainly two ways of teeth whitening. When teeth whitening involves using bleach, its called bleaching. Whereas when stains are removed only from the surface of the teeth, its known as whitening. Though you can go to your dental clinic for teeth whitening sessions, you can also whiten your teeth naturally.
Causes Of Teeth Staining
There could be several reasons behind the change in color of your teeth. Here are some of them:
Poor Dental Hygiene
Stained teeth can be a result of improper dental hygiene. If you dont brush and floss your teeth daily, you wont be able to get rid of plaque and stain-producing substances. Not rinsing your mouth after consuming intensely pigmented substances leads to yellow teeth.
Food And Drinks
Some of the food items have intense color pigments, known as chromogens. These pigments attach to the enamel or the outer white part of your tooth. And if not cleaned properly, these pigments can get absorbed in the pores of the teeth over time. It leads to a change in the color of the teeth. Tea, coffee, and red wine are some of the teeth-staining beverages.
Tobacco
Tobacco contains two chemicals that result in stubborn stains on teeth: Tar and Nicotine. Tar is a naturally dark chemical that stains the teeth. Whereas, Nicotine is colorless. But when it is mixed with oxygen, it turns into a yellow substance that covers the tooth surface.
Age
The outer white shell of your teeth is the enamel. Beneath the enamel, there is a softer substance known as dentin, which is yellow-colored. With age, the outer layer of the teeth wears out and gets thinner due to brushing. It results in the showing of dentin which makes your teeth look whiter.
Trauma
Yellowing of teeth can also be due to trauma or injury in your teeth. If you have been hit in the mouth, the teeth react to the injury by laying more dentin. This yellow dentin makes the teeth look yellow or stained.
Medicines
Certain medications can have side effects, and teeth staining can be one of them. Medicines for the treatment of high blood pressure, and antibiotics are some of such medications. Chemotherapy and neck radiation can also result in the darkening of teeth.
Natural Way To Whiten Teeth
If you plan to visit a dental clinic, you can get quick results with affordable and best dental care clinics in New Jersey. But if youre looking for natural ways, here are some:
Good Oral Hygiene
To whiten your teeth naturally, you must ensure that you follow your dental care routine daily and your mouth remains clean. Brush your teeth properly twice a day and floss once. Plaque is a naturally occurring film of bacteria that builds up on teeth. Due to plaque, your teeth may lose their natural luster. When plaque is not removed, it builds up and makes your teeth look yellow. And when plaque hardens up, it turns into tartar. Tatar can only be removed by professional dental cleaning sessions.
Regular brushing and flossing reduce the bacteria in the mouth and keep the teeth white naturally. You should also scrape your tongue with a tongue scraper or cleaner to ensure that your mouth remains clean. As per multiple studies, it has been discovered that using an electric toothbrush helps in getting rid of more plaque than a normal one. Irrespective of the toothbrush and toothpaste you use, it is crucial that you clean your teeth daily. Dont skip even a single day to maintain those pearly whites.
Fruits And Vegetables
Consuming fruits and vegetables is not only good for your body but also your teeth. Chewing fresh and crunchy fruits and vegetables can rub the plaque away as you munch. However, it cant replace brushing and flossing your teeth. Strawberries and pineapples are the two fruits that have been claimed to help in teeth whitening. The malic acid found in strawberries is an effective element that removes teeth discoloration. Though its not completely seconded by science, why not include strawberries in your daily diet? Strawberries may help in exfoliating the outer layer of the teeth and make them appear whiter.
Another fruit is pineapple, which not only tastes delicious but also helps in teeth whitening. Pineapples contain an enzyme called bromelain. This enzyme can help in removing plaque from the tooth surface and functions as a natural stain remover. Chewing crunchy vegetables like celery also helps in cleaning your teeth. Such vegetables scrub your teeth clean, make them look whiter, and eliminate the bad breath eventually.
Limiting Foods That Cause Stains
Your teeth are likely to turn yellow naturally with age, but by limiting certain food items and beverages, you can still maintain your healthy white teeth. Beverages such as coffee, soda, and red wine, result in tooth staining. It is also accompanied by food items such as dark berries, candies, and curry. Though these food items and beverages result in yellow teeth it doesnt mean that you should avoid them completely. You can reduce the time for which these items remain in contact with your teeth.
For example, drinking tooth-staining drinks with a straw will prevent them from direct contact with your teeth. And if you brush your teeth after 30 minutes of consuming such food items, you can limit their effect on your teeth significantly. You should also avoid chewing tobacco and smoking as the substances present in those, lead to discoloration of your teeth.
It is also wise to limit the amount of sugar that you consume every day. A diet that contains high sugar, encourages the growth of a bacteria known as Streptococcus mutans. This is a primary type of bacteria that causes dental problems such as plaque and gingivitis. It is always best to brush your teeth after consuming sugary food.
Oil Pulling
It is a traditional natural remedy that has been used to sustain good oral health. It is also meant to maintain your overall health and hygiene along with dental health. The method of oil pulling involves swishing oil in your mouth for a few minutes. You can use any oil for it. However, coconut oil is the most popular because of its good taste and several health benefits.
Oil pulling works as it removes bacteria from the mouth that causes plaque. Removal of plaque-causing bacteria helps in preventing the yellowing of teeth. Moreover, there are no side effects of oil pulling. If you wish to perform oil pulling, you can take one tablespoon of coconut oil and squish it in your mouth for about 15 minutes.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is one of the widely used ingredients in commercial toothpaste due to its natural whitening properties. It is a gentle abrasive that helps in scrubbing away the stains from the surface of the teeth. Baking soda also makes your mouth alkaline, which prevents the growth of bacteria. However, it may take time for results to show up as its not a remedy that will whiten your teeth in a day.
Studies have shown that the toothpaste that contains baking soda is more effective in removing tooth stains as compared to a toothpaste without it. When baking soda mixes with water, it produces an alkaline solution. It leads to the release of free radicals that help in breaking down the plaque and stains that sit on the tooth surface. It also helps in getting rid of the bad breath by neutralizing the acids released from the food particles in your mouth. Though baking soda is effective in removing stains from the teeth, its usage should only be limited to a few times a week.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a natural bleaching substance that also destroys the bacteria in your mouth. It is used in many commercial whitening products in much higher concentrations.
Several teeth whitening toothpaste also contains hydrogen peroxide. Though studies have shown that brushing your teeth with a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda regularly, leads to whiter teeth. But you shouldnt overlook the safety concerns of using this substance.
Heavily diluted solutions of hydrogen peroxide could be safe, but strong concentrations can result in gum irritation and sensitivity in teeth. Also, overuse of this solution can erode the tooth enamel and damage it. To involve hydrogen peroxide in your daily oral hygiene routine, its always best to use whitening toothpaste that has less concentration. Consulting with your dentist about getting whiter teeth will also provide you with better and safe options.
Going To The Dentist
Though natural ways could be effective it may take a lot of time to get results through natural ways. For getting quick and more effective results, you can visit your dentist for best teeth whitening treatment in New Jersey. Depending on your requirement, your dentist will analyze your oral health and suggest you the best possible teeth whitening solution. You can search for the teeth whitening prices near me in New Jersey for getting quotes about the estimated costs of procedures. Some of the teeth whitening procedures that provide quick results are:
In-Office Bleaching
Also known as chair side bleaching, this procedure is performed at the dental clinic and requires only one visit. In this method, the dentist applies a rubber shield or protecting solution to your gums. It is then followed by the application of bleaching products that result in the whitening of your teeth. With in-office bleaching you can get the best affordable teeth whitening near me in New Jersey, and you will get free in a day.
Whitening Toothpaste
Almost all kinds of toothpaste have mild abrasives that scrub and remove stains from the surface of the teeth. Whitening toothpaste with the seal of acceptance from the American Dental Association has additional polishing agents that are safe to be used on your teeth. Unlike bleaching, the use of whitening toothpaste only removes the stains from the surface and doesnt change the color of your teeth.
At-Home Bleaching Kit
If you feel more comfortable whitening your teeth at home, you can get a custom-made kit from your dentist. Your dentist will also give you instructions on how to use the products safely and effectively. This procedure doesnt show results overnight and may take from a couple of days to a few weeks.
Affordable Teeth whitening In New Jersey
Though stained or yellow teeth dont impact your eating, they may affect your personality and self-confidence. It may hold you back from smiling freely as you may feel embarrassed of stained teeth. Natural ways of whitening teeth could be effective for preventing further staining in the long run. But if you wish to get safe teeth whitening solutions that are quick and arent expensive, we can help you.
Visit us at Jackson Dental for top rated teeth whitening. Our highly skilled and experienced team will not only provide you with the best solutions for teeth whitening but also will ensure that you feel comfortable. We understand your requirement thoroughly to provide you with a smile that enhances your personality and doesnt burn a hole in your pocket. We provide cheap teeth whitening in New Jersey. Whether youre looking for teeth cleaning or bleaching, Jackson Dental is the one-stop solution for all your dental needs. We help you in getting a smile that enhances your personality.
Conclusion
If you have stained teeth due to one or more reasons, it doesnt mean that you have to live with them forever. Several solutions can help you achieve a pearly white smile. Natural methods are great for the long run as they not only work for getting whiter teeth but also maintain your overall dental health. However, results from natural methods arent fast and it may take up to a few weeks for your teeth to get rid of the stains. For quick results, you can consult with the best dentist in New Jersey and pick the solution that best suits your requirement. Don't hold yourself back from laughing freely and flaunting your flawless smile.