Are you someone who thinks twice before smiling in front of anyone? Maybe it’s because you feel embarrassed about the way your teeth look. Having yellow teeth is an annoyance. Sometimes, you end up with them through no fault of your own. However, rather than dwelling on your misery, you can learn how to whiten your teeth.
In the world of cosmetic dentistry, teeth whitening is a very popular procedure. Many people desire a Hollywood smile. The procedure is simple. It uses peroxide-based gel to bleach the teeth for getting rid of stains and discolouration.
Sometimes, no matter how much you brush your teeth (which you really shouldn’t anyway as it can erode your enamel), the colour of your teeth doesn’t get any whiter. Some people also find professional teeth whitening to be quite expensive, which is why they try to look for some home remedies. The good thing about these DIY techniques is that you don’t have to worry about dealing with bleach to whiten your teeth at home. These are all safe.
Why Are My Teeth Yellow Anyway?
You might be asking this because you’re frustrated that after doing everything right, you still don’t have white teeth. The thing is that as you age, your teeth can get yellower. Genetics also play a role in deciding who gets yellow teeth and who doesn’t.
Or you might be asking this question because you’re simply unaware of the things that might be making your teeth yellow. It’s no secret that coffees, teas, red wine, soy sauce, colas, and curries are usually the culprits. Those who can’t go on their day without having a cup of coffee should start drinking it with a straw. It might be inconvenient, but the coffee won’t come into direct contact with your teeth and stain them.
Another reason why your teeth look yellow is the build-up of plaque. You need to brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes and floss to avoid that. The exposure of dentin, which is naturally yellow, underneath the enamel, can also make your teeth appear yellow.
How Can I Whiten My Teeth at Home?
Let’s take a look at a few techniques.
You Can Try Oil-Pulling
Credit: Canva
This is probably the most popular teeth whitening technique. Coconut oil is most popularly used for this purpose, but you can also use sesame oil. The lauric acid in coconut oil is believed to help in killing the bacteria that reside inside the mouth. Oil-pulling might not so much help whiten your teeth, but it can be helpful in maintaining good oral health.
For coconut oil-pulling, take one tablespoon of the oil in its liquid form and swish it around your mouth. Pull the oil between your teeth so that no cracks or crevices are left.
You Can Brush with Baking Soda
Your toothpaste might already have it. It is a promising ingredient for teeth whitening purposes. Brushing with baking soda can also help prevent the growth of bacteria in your mouth. The results from its application will be gradual, not instant. Make a paste by mixing the baking soda with water for brushing your teeth with it.
Credit: Canva
Some people may be hesitant about the safety of teeth whitening procedures and prefer DIY solutions instead. However, these procedures are created carefully to ensure safety. For more information, consider this resource on the safety of teeth whitening.
Try Eating Healthy
When has that ever hurt anyone? And you might be tired of hearing this too, but it is the simplest yet the hardest thing to do at times. Eating healthy has countless benefits for your body, and your teeth are just a part of the whole. When you eat juicy, crunchy fruits and vegetables like apples, strawberries, celery, pear, carrots, and broccoli, they help rub away the plaque built up on your teeth. So, you might be doing yourself a favour by eating them. Strawberries are believed to exfoliate the teeth, which can help whiten them.
Credit: Unsplash
Beans, almonds, milk, soymilk, cheese, yoghurt, and sardines are all calcium-rich foods. These can prevent your enamel from eroding and exposing the yellow dentin underneath. So, try including these in your diet. Also, if you eat too many sugary foods, it is going to be detrimental for your teeth. The bacterial growth and plaque build-up would alone do much damage to the appearance of your teeth. Try and be careful about what you eat.
You can add another thing to this list, and that is you need to stop smoking. Smokers are at a higher risk of developing oral cancer and lung cancer, among other ailments. The nicotine in cigarettes and tobacco products can also stain the teeth, giving them a yellowish appearance.
Concluding Remarks
There are many ways by which you can ensure the health and safety of your mouth. If these home remedies don’t work out for you, you can always have professional teeth whitening treatment. You can also seek dental expertise from the dentist in clifton for further advice on why these remedies aren’t working for you in case there are underlying issues.
