Some food items consist of potent coloring agents. Therefore, despite following proper oral hygiene habits, your teeth end up discolored.
You are here to know more about scientifically proven ways for teeth whitening. No worries, this blog focuses on non-chemical laden products for whitening. Some of these items might be in your refrigerator, garden, or your favorite supermarket’s produce section. Use them, and you won’t need to keep your mouth closed while smiling.
- Oil pulling for whitening and oral hygiene
Yes, certain items in your pantry can help in whitening your teeth. If you don’t use pure coconut oil, you can easily find it at the nearest mall. Swish coconut oil in your mouth, around your teeth for 30 seconds daily. Continue the routine for a few weeks, and results will be visible.
There’s a lot of doubt when it comes to swishing your mouth with coconut oil. You certainly wish to know if there’s research work proving benefits.
Oil pulling has several advocates in the scientific community. The practice can actually help prevent specific oral health problems because of its antibacterial properties.
- Rinse your mouth with water after enjoying that sports drink
Sports drinks manufacturers have hired several influencers to promote their products. They share the long list of benefits, but not its side effects. Long-term use of sports drinks results in tooth enamel erosion as per scientific analysis published by Nature Magazine. The damage may vary according to the type of sports drink. Therefore, to avoid discoloration of teeth, you should not sip protein shakes for a long time. Rinsing your mouth with water is highly recommended after drinking these formulas.
- Get a recommendation for a whitening toothpaste with natural ingredients
There are several types of whitening toothpaste available in the market. You can opt for pastes consisting of natural ingredients like salt and lemon or choose others with chemicals.
It’s crucial to note that whitening toothpaste cannot clear stains that have reached deeper in the tooth surface. These products effectively remove stains caused by tobacco, coffee, or tea.
Lemon and salt ones help in reducing stains which results in whiter teeth. But, as per researchers, you can witness a drastic change in your teeth color after six weeks of usage. Whitening toothpaste with carbamide peroxide, hydrogen peroxide, pyrophosphates, and silica offers better results.
- Try brushing with baking soda
When mixed with water, baking soda turns into an alkaline solution. The mixture further releases free radicals that help break stains and plaque accumulated on the teeth surfaces. In addition, it can neutralize acids formed due to food debris. Dentists also recommend gargling with water consisting of baking soda and salt to individuals suffering from mouth ulcers.
- Foods that trigger saliva generation
Adding broccoli, carrots, apples, cauliflower, celery, and cucumbers can help overall dental health improvement. Also, a little bit of watery, crunchy, bitter, spicy foods can improve saliva generation. Dairy products like cheese and milk also strengthen tooth surfaces with time. Yet remember, results take weeks or months. So don’t expect your teeth to turn white immediately after changing food habits.
- Calcium-rich foods and supplements
Enamel protects your teeth from temperature sensitivity, decay, and erosion. And calcium helps strengthen the same. It also ensures jaw bone remains healthy.
Patients who suffer due to lack of calcium face issues with bones and teeth. Plus, such individuals are prone to periodontal disease. Therefore, adding dairy products and fish to the diet is crucial.
You can opt for calcium and vitamin D supplements based on a physician or dentist’s recommendation.
- Eat foods with anti-microbial properties to keep the tongue clean
Do you know that plaque can accumulate on your tongue surface and attack your teeth despite brushing and flossing?
As you have probably already noticed, debris gets accumulated on the tongue quickly. If left unattended, harmful bacteria use small bumps on the tongue to gather. Trouble starts with an unpleasant breath and ends with decay or gum infection.
Food items like coconuts, ginger, garlic, and chopped onions are known for their anti-microbial properties. Adding these to the meal can help control harmful bacteria formation on your tongue.
Use a toothbrush and clean the tongue in a back-and-forth motion. Don’t brush too hard to avoid damaging your tongue. You can also opt for one of those tongue scrapers available at the supermarket. Both methods are equally effective.
- Pearly whites and cigarettes cannot go hand in hand
Unfortunately, brushing alone cannot clean tobacco stains in the tooth enamel. These stains become darker with time if you continue smoking. So, your dental expert might have suggested you give up smoking if you have stained teeth.
You have definitely heard this before. But did you know that studies support the theory? For example, there’s much research work that links smoking to tooth discoloration. Not just that, smokers are prone to oral cancer, tooth loss, and gum disease.
Visit your dental clinic if nothing works after trying for months
If you feel your teeth are turning more yellowish despite trying the above remedies, it’s time to seek professional help. First, your dental health expert will assess the possible reason for discoloration during the check-up. Then, recommend professional cleaning, whitening gels and laser treatment, teeth polishing, or veneers.
Conclusion:
You should opt for professional treatment if you want Hollywood white teeth. Remember, over-the-counter alternatives and home remedies are no match for products used by oral care experts for whitening at the clinic.