The first thing people tend to notice about you is your smile. A great smile can go a long way in making a good first impression with people, and it can also make you feel great about yourself. However, if you have discolored or stained teeth, you may feel uncomfortable smiling.
To help you identify the best solutions to brighten your teeth and enhance your smile, Dr. Andrew Tran, your #1 Marshville dentist, has written up some home remedy solutions that can help you prevent teeth discoloration.
What Is Teeth Whitening?
Teeth whitening can be done in a variety of ways, and each method uses a different type of solution that gets applied to the teeth. It is an effective way to take care of staining without compromising the structure of each tooth.
How to Prevent Yellow Teeth
Teeth can turn yellow due to a variety of factors, including external factors (something coming in contact with your teeth) and internal factors (something happening in your body). Internal factors can also include the effects of aging.
It’s also important to point out that teeth can take on other colors besides yellow if they are not taken care of. Depending on the cause, your teeth may turn brown, black, or even purple over time.
Poor dental hygiene, tobacco use, diseases, medications, and the foods or drinks you consume can result in tooth discoloration. Thankfully, there are methods you can use to keep these substances from affecting your smile.
Here are a few things you can do to prevent discoloration in your teeth:
- Brush and floss your teeth regularly and rinse your mouth to remove plaque and other substances.
- Cut down on foods and drinks that stain your teeth, such as coffee, tea, wine, soda, apples, and potatoes.
- Avoid smoking or chewing tobacco.
- Use a straw when drinking.
- Visit your dentist for a teeth cleaning every six months.
Home Remedies to Whiten Teeth
There are several natural homemade products you can use to whiten your teeth. Most of these products can be purchased from your local grocery store. However, while these methods can lighten your teeth, there is no guarantee they will give you the pearly-white results you’re looking for. In most cases, they also take longer to fully whiten your teeth than an in-office teeth whitening.
Regardless, they can still help to some degree. You can try the following home remedies to whiten your teeth:
Brush With Baking Soda
Baking soda is known for its natural whitening properties and is a common ingredient in commercial toothpaste. It serves as a soft abrasive that gently removes surface stains on the teeth. Additionally, baking soda helps create an alkaline environment in your mouth, which stops bacteria growth and improves your oral health.
You should know that baking soda will not whiten your teeth overnight. However, with consistent use, you will notice a difference in the appearance of your teeth.
Eat Crunchy Fruits and Vegetables
Crunchy, raw fruits and vegetables are great for your oral and overall health. Eating them can help get rid of plaque. Strawberries and pineapples are two of the most effective fruits that can help with teeth whitening.
Mixing strawberries and baking soda can yield fantastic results. The malic found in strawberries clears discoloration in your teeth and makes them appear whiter.
Use Hydrogen Peroxide
Most commercial teeth whitening products contain hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is a natural bleaching agent that can scrub discoloration from your teeth and kill bacteria in your mouth. You can use it as a mouthwash before brushing to bleach your teeth.
You can also mix it with baking soda to make homemade toothpaste. To do this correctly, you will need to mix two teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide with one teaspoon of baking soda and use the resulting paste to brush your teeth.
Our dentist in Marshville, NC can also provide you with take-home whitening kits that contain peroxide-based bleaching agents.
We recommend you use a 1.5% or 3% concentration of hydrogen peroxide to avoid gum irritation and sensitivity. Furthermore, you should only use the mixture a few times per week, as excessive usage can erode your tooth enamel.
Why Professional Teeth Bleaching in Marshville, NC Is Better Than Home Remedies
Professional teeth whitening is done at the dentist and can easily brighten your teeth faster than at-home methods. Undergoing a teeth whitening treatment in a dental office also takes less than an hour and leaves your teeth looking eight shades whiter.
Professional teeth whitening kits contain many more ingredients compared to at-home kits, and they keep your teeth whiter for longer. An in-office tooth whitening also penetrates deeper below the tooth’s surface because of its highly concentrated solution.
Where to Get Teeth Whitening in Marshville, NC
It’s easier and faster than ever to brighten stained teeth with teeth whitening in Marshville, NC. We offer the best in-office teeth bleaching treatments to give our patients the perfect smile makeover. We can also provide you with at-home teeth whitening kits to help enhance the appearance of your smile.
If you’re looking to change the appearance of your teeth at our office, or you want to whiten your teeth at home, request an appointment with us so we can provide you with the method that suits you.
