Teeth Whitening: How to Do It at Home

A glittering smile with sparkling white teeth has long been associated with beauty, confidence, and oral health.

Now, there is a way to make your teeth white naturally.

Whether you are looking to join the few with those Hollywood smiles or simply looking into ways of preserving your gleaming smile; this exploration will share with you some natural approaches to teeth whitening.

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Good oral health symbolizes vitality and self-assurance that goes beyond linguistic and cultural barriers.

This never-ending quest of achieving white teeth spans generations and is perhaps linked to our desire to present our best selves.

A beautiful smile can be a mini superpower and is often used with several other factors when someone is making an impression on you.

There are also quite a few benefits to having white teeth beyond aesthetics.

For example, some studies indicate that people with whiter teeth are perceived as being more attractive, intelligent, and successful.

What’s more, having whiter teeth can boost your self-confidence, making you feel more comfortable and attractive in social and professional interactions.

Before we discuss how to make the teeth white, let us explore what causes teeth discoloration and possible solutions:

What causes our teeth to become discolored?

It is considered a natural process for our teeth to lose their whiteness as we age.

They may become darker or even develop white or black spots in different places as a result of life’s wear and tear.

Our teeth are comprised of three layers, the enamel, the dentin, and the pulp.

The enamel is the outer layer of the tooth, it is the part that is visible and is made of a hard substance.

The dentin is the sensitive middle portion of the tooth and is found directly under the enamel.

The dentin and the enamel are the two areas prone to stains and discoloration.

They are two designated categories for tooth stains, they are either Intrinsic or Extrinsic.

Intrinsic Stains

Intrinsic stains occur when the dentin layer of the tooth develops blemishes.

This type of stain is difficult to remove, especially since our enamel becomes thinner as we age.

Factors that contribute to Intrinsic stains:

Genetics: Some people are considered prone to this factor based on the fundamental composition of their teeth.

Such factors include the structure of the dentin as well as the thickness of the enamel.

Trauma: A tooth may become discolored if it sustains an injury. The blood from said injury can lead to discoloration.

Fluoride exposure: Excessive fluoride is known to cause intrinsic staining.

This happens when fluoride becomes settled in the dentin and becomes darker as a result.

These stains can be challenging to remove and may require professional teeth-whitening procedures or other cosmetic dental treatments to improve their appearance.

Extrinsic Stains

Extrinsic stains discolor the enamel- the outer layer of the tooth. They are much easier to remove or can be rectified by a home teeth-whitening system.

Factors that contribute to Extrinsic stains:

Food and drinks: Dark-colored food and beverages, such as tea, coffee, red wine, etc. can stain the teeth (it usually happens over time).

These stains eventually wear down the enamel.

Smoking: One of the side effects of smoking is that it can cause our teeth to become yellow or brown.

Inadequate oral hygiene: Failing to clean your teeth regularly can lead to several problems, one of which is teeth discoloration.

Trauma:  Trauma can also be an extrinsic factor. If a tooth for example is chipped or cracked, it may become discolored as a result.

Extrinsic stains are not known to move below the enamel to the dentin.

As mentioned earlier, they are easier to remove than intrinsic stains.

Teeth Color and its meaning:

White (white spots)

Excessive fluoride exposure will cause white spots to develop on the tooth (known as fluorosis).

This exposure can come in the form of excess use of fluoride rinses and toothpaste or from an overabundance of fluoride in our drinking water.

Yellow

The enamel of our teeth wears down as a result of aging. This process causes the yellow core of our teeth to become more visible.

Brown

Our teeth will become brown over time due to our consumption of dark beverages (such as tea and coffee).

Poor oral hygiene will also result in our teeth becoming browner in color.

Black

The teeth become black as a result of tooth decay or tooth pulp necrosis.

This condition is common in people having poor oral hygiene.

How to Make Your Teeth White Naturally?

The state of our teeth can affect our perception of our appearance.

In addition, it helps to make a better first impression and can also make us feel more confident.

It is said that “white teeth extend beyond just your smile”.

Perhaps indicating that there is a process to having whiter teeth. Let us explore a few solutions:

Oral Care Best Practices

This includes brushing your teeth twice a day for a minimum of two minutes for each session, whilst using a soft-bristled toothbrush.

We recommend the use of fluoride toothpaste.

Flossing once a day: Flossing helps to remove food particles and plaque from those hard-to-reach places between the teeth.

Utilize Flouride: Flouride is known to strengthen our teeth, making them more resistant to cavities.

Using fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash daily, are a few examples of adding fluoride to your oral care routine.

Consider using at-home whitening kits or whitening strips.

Making Dietary Changes

We had mentioned earlier that the food and beverages we consume contribute to tooth stains.

An article published on Dentalhealth.org explained how our diets affect oral health.

Here are some examples:

Food and beverages containing tannins such as wine and tea.

Beverages such as coffee, and dark sodas are known to leave blemishes on the tooth.

Our recommendation is to utilize straws when drinking these types of beverages.

Acidic foods will make the teeth appear yellow.

The chemical substance found in such food is known to wear down the enamel.

This results in tooth sensitivity.

We recommend moderate consumption of citrus as well as brushing your teeth after consuming them.

Sugary food and drinks attract bacteria which will lead to cavities.

Prioritizing a healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains will help keep your teeth and gums healthy.

Baking Soda

Baking soda can be used as a gentle abrasive to help remove surface stains on the tooth.

Combine one part baking soda with two parts of water to form a paste. You apply it on the surface of your toothbrush for a more accurate measurement.

Brush your teeth with the newly formed paste for about two minutes.

Rinse thoroughly with water.

Excessive use or a high concentration of baking soda will damage the tooth and enamel.

Our recommendation is twice weekly and be sure not to do this consecutively.

Apply Hydrogen Peroxide

We learned via The Medical News Today that hydrogen peroxide is a natural bleaching agent that is normally used as a component in oral hygiene products.

It has mild antiseptic and teeth-whitening properties and can remove surface stains from the teeth.

• Be sure to utilize a highly diluted solution, no more than 3% of the chemical.

• Combine one spoonful of hydrogen peroxide and three spoons of baking soda.

• Gently brush your teeth

Hydrogen peroxide can have positive effects on the teeth.

We encourage moderation, as using too much or a high concentration will harm your gums and tooth enamel.

We encourage persons having sensitive teeth to avoid tips that include baking soda and the use of hydrogen peroxide. Our suggestion is the dental supplement, DentiVive.

White teeth are a great sign of oral health. It helps your smile to look brighter and more attractive.

Utilize Tooth Supplements

Tooth Supplements are dietary supplements that support oral health.

These supplements contain vitamins and minerals, in addition to other nutrients that play a part in promoting and maintaining healthy teeth and gums.

DentiVive is a powerful tooth supplement comprised of natural ingredients and is designed to help you enjoy the kind of food you like, regardless of your age.

Oral Health is Integral to having Whiter Teeth

Conclusion

Our enamel becomes thinner as a natural part of aging. This exposes the dentin, which has a darker, yellowish color.

As noted earlier, extrinsic stains affect the enamel and can be removed or brightened.

Intrinsic stains, on the other hand, take place within the dentin layer of the tooth and are more challenging to remove.

Applying the methods listed above will improve your oral health in addition to mitigating these stains and other potential oral health challenges such as plaques and tartars.

Ready to make your teeth whiter?