A bright smile full of white teeth is the norm in today's society. However, due to food, drink and some bad habits, the white sometimes turns yellow. Don't hang your head, there are ways to fight the unwanted shade.
There are several natural methods that can help you in whitening your teeth. Most of them deal with the gentle removal of surface stains on the teeth. Slightly yellowed teeth can indeed be whitened by these methods, but prevention - preventing tooth discoloration in the first place - always comes first.
Regular oral hygiene and the right choice of toothbrush is essential, as is limiting the consumption of sugary drinks, coffee, black tea and red wine. If you want to have white teeth, you should also say goodbye to smoking. If your teeth are already noticeably yellow, a visit to your dentist is in order, who will recommend stronger teeth whitening products. However, remember that excessive use of any whitening product can damage your teeth. Try what works for you.
High bristle brush
This study is quite recent. The current trend is to try the toothbrush that has the highest bristle count, given that it gets into hard to reach places. This will remove a higher percentage of plaque from your enamel than a regular toothbrush. With conventional twice daily use, you will see the difference within a few months! For example, try the LYSS toothbrush, which is also the softest on the market, so it won't cause you any gum pain and will prevent cavities from being exposed.
Use apple cider vinegar in moderation
Apple cider vinegar has been used for centuries as a disinfectant and natural cleanser. Acetic acid, which is the main active ingredient in apple cider vinegar, kills bacteria and has a positive effect on cleaning and whitening teeth. While expert studies have shown that apple cider vinegar has whitening effects, they have also shown that it can thin tooth enamel, and that's not good. "The acetic acid in vinegar has the potential to erode the enamel on your teeth. For this reason, you should not use apple cider vinegar every day. You should also limit the amount of time that apple cider vinegar comes in contact with your teeth. To use apple cider vinegar as a mouthwash, dilute it with water and swish it around in your mouth for a few minutes. Then rinse your mouth with plain water," dentist Becky Bell warns about proper use.
Ondřej Šrámek, MD, head doctor at the Hradčanská Dental Clinic, also agrees with the moderate use of acidic additives for teeth whitening: "Avoid rubbing acidic additives into the teeth, as they wear away the tooth enamel that protects the teeth from cavities. Similarly, it is not recommended to brush your teeth immediately after consuming acidic drinks to avoid irritating the enamel. Wait at least half an hour. After a sour, it is a good idea to rinse your mouth a little with plain water or take chewing gum (without sugar), which promotes saliva production."
Call spices
Just as mint can freshen your breath, turmeric can work some magic on your teeth. You may wonder why turmeric is used to whiten teeth, as it is used more as a natural colouring agent, but has the opposite effect on teeth. If you apply turmeric treatment on your teeth regularly, you will whiten your teeth by up to two shades. Mix a teaspoon of turmeric, a teaspoon of coconut oil and brush your teeth. Not only will it help you get whiter teeth, but its anti-inflammatory properties will also help solve problems with sensitive teeth and gingivitis.
Homemade teeth whitening kits
If you really want to take the beauty of your teeth into your own hands, just a toothbrush and toothpaste won't be enough. There are free home teeth whitening kits available for the entire whitening process, which contain special gels and applicators that you use to apply the gel to your teeth. It may look tedious, but the total whitening treatment will take you around ten minutes. If you follow the application 1-2 times a day for a fortnight, you will see a noticeable difference. The price of each kit varies, so it's a good idea to get the right one recommended by your dentist. You may also see so-called whitening strips in the home teeth whitening range, which are stuck on your teeth and worn for a few minutes over a few weeks. You can try these too. Experts agree that home teeth whitening kits are the most gentle and have the most noticeable effect.
