No matter how white your teeth are, there is a very good chance you would like them even whiter. It’s a common problem as a person becomes older. Father Time just kind of bestows on us an off-white shade of color on our teeth. For a few of us, a tinge of yellow starts to creep over as well. It’s not a flattering look and can be quite embarrassing. However, there is no need to accept it.
There are several home remedies that have been passed down over the years that make claims that it can whiten teeth. However, there haven’t been studies completed that actually show much whitening power. Some people claim brushing with strawberries will whiten teeth. There really is no substantial proof for this. Others say that apple cider vinegar will leave you with whiter teeth. While one study did show that it can, they question whether the vinegar also made their teeth softer as well.
While you could spend a pretty penny at the dentist office and have your dentist perform some whitening procedure, this is the most costly option though. Whitening your teeth is something that you can do from the comfort of your own home. No stressful dentist appointment is needed. So save your time and money and start considering these do it yourself options that won’t break the bank.
Whitening Toothpaste.
There are hundreds of whitening toothpaste brands available on the market. They declare brushing a couple times a day with their toothpaste will whiten your teeth in no time. But this doesn’t really help you out if you have an important engagement to attend in a couple of days and your teeth are resembling pieces of corn instead of white Chiclets.
Plus, the whitening process happens so gradually that you won’t exactly be able to notice it week to week. The good news is that this option is the least expensive. The bad news is that the whitening power is less than other options. If you are using whitening toothpaste, leave the toothpaste on your teeth for more than 30 seconds or so. The singer Tiny Tim had amazingly white teeth and he attributed it to leaving toothpaste on his teeth for long periods of time.
Brush with Baking Soda.
Everyone usually has some baking soda lying around in their cabinets. Little did you know that you could be brushing those pearly whites with this baking soda and making them whiter. In fact, baking soda is often one of the main ingredients in toothpaste, so skip the middleman and go directly to the baking soda. No need to buy the fancy toothpaste.
Hydrogen Peroxide.
There are whitening toothpastes that contain hydrogen peroxide as one of their main ingredients, so this leads many to believe that brushing with hydrogen peroxide will also leave teeth whiter. However, studies have been completed and they state that if a person is to brush with hydrogen peroxide, they should also throw in some baking soda for better teeth whitening results.
Whitening Strips.
Those clear plastic whitening strips are not that expensive and can be placed on your teeth in a flash without any mess. Using them a couple times a week during your commute to work is a simple way to include them into your daily routine without sacrificing any time. They usually contain a peroxide-based whitening gel on them that will whiten your teeth in only a few days, so results can be noticeable in a week’s time.
An Ounce of Prevention.
Whoever made up the old saying that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure must have been thinking about dental health. Your diet could do wonders for whitening your teeth or preventing them from yellowing and staining in the first place.
If you are constantly ingesting sugary foods and drinks, your teeth will become less white and there is a very good chance the number of cavities your dentist is finding will increase as well. Soda and candy may taste good, but they really don’t offer any nutritional benefits and will only hurt you in the long run. Instead you should try satisfying your sweet tooth in a different way.
Eating fruits and vegetables will keep them from becoming stained if you are eating the right ones. Saliva is nature’s way of helping to get rid of bacteria in your mouth. If you are eating fruits such as oranges, pineapples, and apples, the amount of saliva being produced in your mouth will increase. This will kill some of the bacteria that are yellowing your teeth.
There is no one method to best whiten your teeth. It needs to be completed like a three-pronged attack. Brushing, whitening strips, and eating a healthy diet will ensure that your pearly whites stay as white as you want them.
