4 Amazing Tips to Whiten Your Teeth at Home

A healthy, bright smile is key to attracting others and creating a positive, lasting impression. However, you cannot smile confidently if your teeth are yellow. Genetics is one of the factors that can cause yellow teeth, but poor oral hygiene is another major cause. Incorrect brushing and flossing can contribute to plaque buildup and tooth decay, making your teeth look yellow.

How Can You Make Your Teeth Whiter?

Here are some at-home teeth whitening tips that can make your teeth shine:

1. Practice Oil Pulling

While improving your oral hygiene, oil pulling freshens your breath and removes toxins from your body. Doing oil pulls for 15-20 minutes can help remove bacteria, prevent plaque buildup and make your teeth whiter.

Coconut oil is widely used as it is safe, tastes better, and offers many health benefits. It is rich in lauric acid that reduces inflammation and destroys bacteria, and protects your teeth from being exposed to enamel-eroding acid.

2. Use Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide, a natural bleaching agent, destroys bacteria in the mouth, leaving your teeth whiter. However, use only diluted peroxide, as overusing hydrogen peroxide can erode your tooth enamel resulting in tooth sensitivity and gum irritation.

• You can use a 1.5% or 3% hydrogen peroxide solution as a mouthwash.
• You can mix two teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide with one teaspoon of baking soda to make whitening toothpaste.

3. Use Baking Soda

Baking soda has natural whitening properties, creates an alkaline environment in your mouth, and prevents bacterial growth. According to various studies, toothpaste with baking soda was found comparatively more effective in removing teeth stains and plaque than those without baking soda.

Mix 2 teaspoons of water with one teaspoon of baking soda and brush your teeth with this mixture a few times a week to whiten your teeth.

4. Prevent Tooth Stains

Follow these tips to prevent teeth stains:

Limit the Intake of Staining Foods and Beverages

Dark berries, soda, tomato sauce, coffee, tea, balsamic vinegar, and red wine can stain your teeth, so limit the intake of these items.

• If possible, drink staining beverages through a straw to prevent direct contact with your teeth.
• Brush your teeth right after consuming these foods/beverages to prevent stains.

Quit Poor Habits

Quit smoking and chewing tobacco, as these can cause tooth discoloration.

Limit Your Sugar Intake

Consuming sugary foods and beverages promotes the growth of plaque-causing streptococcus mutans bacterium. Limit your sugar intake, and make sure to brush your teeth after consuming sugary food or beverage.

Include Calcium in Your Diet

Sometimes, tooth discoloration is caused by enamel erosion that exposes the yellow dentin of the tooth. Therefore, eat calcium-rich foods, such as broccoli, cheese, and milk to prevent enamel erosion.

Why Do Your Teeth Look Yellow All of a Sudden?

Generally, your teeth become yellow as you age or due to poor oral hygiene. However, there are several other factors that can discolor your teeth, including:

1. Genetics

Teeth color is associated with inherited genes. If one of your family members’ teeth is yellow, you are more likely to have yellow teeth.

2. Wear

Your tooth may look yellow when the enamel erodes or wears down, exposing the dentin, a deep yellow/brownish material of the tooth.

3. Smoking

Nicotine, a toxic yellowish oily liquid in tobacco, stains your teeth.

4. Antibiotics

Antibiotics, such as Tetracycline and oxytetracycline, can cause yellow teeth, and chlortetracycline can change your teeth’ color to greyish-brown.

5. Fluoride

Excess fluoride intake (either from fluoridated water, toothpaste, or tablets) can cause brownish or yellow stains on your teeth. Ask your dentist about the optimal level of fluoride intake to prevent stains.

6. Tooth Grinding

Tooth grinding will wear away your enamel, causing it to crack, thin, and show through the yellow dentin layer.

7. Accidents

An accident or injury to the tooth can damage enamel, causing discoloration.

While home remedies can remove teeth stains, professional teeth whitening can help you achieve a brighter smile. If you are looking for the best teeth whitening solutions in Scottsdale, schedule an appointment with Smile Arizona Dentistry today. Our dentist, Dr. Beth Vander Schaaf, has years of experience and expertise in performing professional teeth whitening procedures that ensure optimal results.