Your teeth may turn yellow with age, but a lot of different methods can slow this process or even reverse it. While teeth whitening can be done using several products available on the market, many natural teeth cleaning home remedies can also help remove stains and protect your teeth from yellowing.
How to whiten teeth naturally
The following 6 teeth whitening tips may help whiten teeth naturally :
1) Dietary changes
There are certain foods that cause staining and those must be avoided to get whiter teeth. Foods and beverages such as wine, tea, coffee, soda, and juices can stain your teeth. Acidic foods can make the teeth look yellow and wear down the enamel. You must either use a straw while drinking or brush your teeth at least 30 minutes after having any such foods.
Quitting smoking or other tobacco products can also help by reducing the stains from nicotine. Quitting can also provide other benefits such as preventing tooth decay and gum disease, both of which can damage the enamel and cause oral health issues in the future.
Eat less food with added sugar. Sugary foods seem delicious at the moment but can affect your teeth and dental hygiene in the long run. Sugar interacts with the bacteria in your mouth to produce acids which in turn make your teeth yellow. The best food to eat for whiter teeth includes fresh fruits and vegetables and dairy products such as cheese and curd which contain more calcium.
2) Baking soda
It is easily available in our kitchens as it is used for making various recipes. It can be used as a useful ingredient for teeth whitening. You may combine a bit of baking soda with a little amount of water to prepare a paste and use it to brush your teeth. Baking soda used for teeth whitening may also help in overcoming teeth discolouration. It is one of the most effective teeth cleaning home remedies.
3) Oil pulling
This is a traditional ancient Indian technique which includes swishing oil in the mouth. This technique may show results gradually. You can use coconut oil, sunflower oil or sesame oil for oil pulling. Take about one teaspoon(10ml) of oil and swish it inside your mouth for 10-15 mins a day. This may help improve your oral hygiene and whiten your teeth.
You can also buy oil-pulling rinse online such as this one by Perfora. It is a Vedic rinse made up of virgin coconut oil and castor oil. It also has MCT oil which contains many fatty acids and removes plaque formation.
4) Lemon
Lemon extracts and peel can be used for whitening teeth at home. They contain a high amount of citric acid which has a bleaching action. Lemons also have antibacterial properties that might help reduce plaques. You can use lemons either by rubbing the lemon peel on stained teeth or by squeezing lemon juice on discoloured teeth.
5) Strawberries
Strawberries contain malic acid which might be a natural teeth whitening ingredient. It also increases saliva production, which can improve digestion. You can crush a few strawberries, make them into a puree, add half a teaspoon of baking soda and mix it well. Apply this mixture to your teeth, and rinse it after a while.
6) Papaya
Raw papaya contains papain and chymopapain enzymes making it a good bleaching agent. These enzymes are found more in unripe papayas than in ripped ones. These enzymes help remove stains from the teeth and reduce plaque development in the teeth. To use unripe papaya as a teeth whitening home remedy wash the papaya, and remove the peel and the seeds. Blend the flesh into a blender. Squeeze the pulp using a mesh cloth and use the juice obtained along with hydrogen peroxide as a mouth rinse to bleach your teeth. Unripe papaya is a non-abrasive and a mild teeth whitening agent.
Why teeth turn yellow
As a person gets older the enamel of teeth starts getting worn out. When this happens the dentin, which is a calcified tissue underneath starts to show through. Dentin is yellow in colour hence teeth appear yellow. Teeth can also become yellow due to the following reasons:
1) Enamel becomes worn out and yellow dentin can be seen
2) Compounds may stain the surface
3) Plaque buildup which gives a yellow tinge
Prevention
Yellowing of teeth due to ageing can’t be prevented as it is a part of the ageing process. But, staining can be reduced by avoiding certain foods such as
- Coffee
- Wine
- Beetroot
- Blueberries
- Tea
- Soda
- Smoking
- Tobacco
Plaque buildup can be reduced by
- Avoiding sugary foods
- Brushing and flossing regularly
- Using a mouthwash and tongue cleaner
Other methods for teeth whitening
Apart from these home remedies for teeth whitening you can also look at buying teeth whitening products online which will save you time and offer you instant results. Some teeth whitening products which you must consider buying include teeth whitening toothpaste, teeth whitening powder, teeth whitening pen etc.
1) Best teeth whitening powder
The Perfora teeth whitening powder includes baking soda as an active ingredient which is proven to naturally whiten teeth. Along with it, it also contains diatomaceous earth which acts as an abrasive and removes plaque and tartar stuck in your mouth. The powder also contains several natural extracts such as lavender oil, triple mint and aloe- vera. All you have to do is apply a pea-sized amount of toothpaste to wet bristles, dip it into the teeth whitening powder jar and brush with it for 2 minutes. You can use this powder 2-3 times a week for effective results.
2) Teeth whitening pen
A teeth whitening pen is a quick fix and can bring great results. The perfora teeth whitening pen is formulated with phthalimidoperoxycaproic acid (PAP), hydroxyapatite & powerful natural extracts. It is an on-the-go teeth whitening solution which causes zero teeth sensitivity, is peroxide free and is fortified with PAP. To use it, you must use a tissue to dry your teeth. Apply a thin layer of enamel-free teeth whitening serum to each tooth by pressing the button at the bottom. Wait for a few seconds for the serum to settle. Once you are done, clean the teeth whitening pen with dry tissue and put it away.
Frequently asked questions on teeth whitening tips
1) What should you not do when whitening your teeth?
To keep your smile white and bright, it's important to avoid certain foods such as sugary foods, alcohol, wine, tea, coffee etc. Avoid drinking dark-coloured drinks and foods that cause stains.
2) What products can I use to whiten my teeth at home?
In order to whiten your teeth at home, you can either use natural home remedies for teeth whitening such as sodium bicarbonate, strawberry, lemon, papaya etc. or you could use teeth whitening powder, teeth whitening toothpaste or a teeth whitening pen for quick results.
3) Can yellow teeth become white?
Teeth become yellow with age and you cannot do much about it. But, if your teeth are yellow due to stains or plaque then you can reverse the yellowness of your teeth through natural home remedies or dental whitening treatments or products.