Everyone wants to have white teeth, as it can boost our confidence and self-esteem.
Everything from our dental care habits to our food choices affects how white our teeth will be. Not brushing twice daily and flossing can greatly impact the colour of your teeth. The accumulation of plaque can give your teeth a yellowish look.
The food you eat can also affect your teeth colour. Dentists have pointed out that foods and drinks like coffee, red wine, berries, dark cola, and tea, can stain our teeth.
Well, the good news is that there are effective ways to turn things around and make your teeth white again. This article is going to shed light on some of them.
Effective ways to whiten your teeth
Professional Whitening
This is by far the best way to whiten your teeth. Since the whitening procedure is done by a dentist, you can be confident of getting excellent results. That said, it is worth noting that the procedure is expensive. So if you are on a budget, you may not be able to afford it.
One of the main perks of visiting a dentist for teeth whitening is that you are going to get quick results. Even more, you are going to experience little or no sensitivity issues after the session.
Keep in mind that the results of the procedure aren’t going to last forever. If the right method is used and it is done by a professional, it should last for 6 months to 2 years. The type of food you eat and the toothbrush you use can also affect how long it lasts.
Whitening strips
Whitening strips are effective at whitening the teeth and don’t usually cause any issues when used correctly. They are affordable and easy to use. All you need do is place the strip on your teeth for a couple of minutes.
The strips contain hydrogen peroxide, an active teeth-whitening agent.
Granted, teeth whitening strips are safe, but you must be careful when using them. Ensure that the strip doesn’t touch your gum.
If you use the strips correctly, you may see notable improvement after a couple of weeks.
Teeth whitening trays and gels
This is a great way to whiten your teeth if you are on a budget. You can buy teeth whitening trays and gels at your local convenience store or pharmacy.
Using it is pretty straightforward. The tray is first heated. Next, the gel is placed carefully on the tray. The last step is to fit your teeth into it.
While this teeth whitening method is effective, you aren’t going to get the results you desire overnight. You may need to repeat the process for a few weeks.
Using teeth whitening trays and gels comes with its fair share of risks. A good number of the people who use it experience mild to severe sensitivity afterward. There have been a few cases when this product caused permanent damage to the teeth.
To be on the safe side, you should consult your dentist before you start using it.
Natural ways to whiten your teeth
If you want to whiten your teeth without using bleaching products, try the following suggestions.
Oil pulling
All you need to do here is to swish and pull coconut oil through your teeth for a few minutes. Rinse your mouth with clean water and brush your teeth afterward. While coconut oil doesn’t contain bleach that can whiten your teeth, it is loaded with lauric acid that can help eliminate plaque that can give your teeth a yellow appearance.
Baking soda
Baking soda is safe and has abrasive properties. Using it to brush your teeth can help remove stains and make your teeth appear whiter.
Final note
To keep your teeth white, you first have to pay attention to the foods and drinks you consume. If you can’t remove them from your diet, you should rinse your mouth or brush your teeth after consuming them. Regardless of the teeth whitening method you want to choose, it is important that you first consult your dentist.