Have you ever had a doubt: tooth whitening at home or in the clinic? You should be aware that tooth whitening at home is gaining more and more ground. Undoubtedly, this is one of the preferred options for improving the aesthetics of teeth that have lost their shine or are stained. Some people reject in-clinic tooth whitening for a variety of reasons. Sometimes it is because they want to avoid the use of chemical products, which are aggressive or invasive, and sometimes it is because the prices of dental whitening in clinics are usually high.
This has caused many people to prefer to whiten their teeth at home with natural, less aggressive, and much cheaper products. That is why today we bring you several methods and ways to perform effective tooth whitening at home. So, let’s see our recommendations for good tooth whitening at home.
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How to do tooth whitening at home?
To begin with, we must eliminate the prejudice that many have, that all-natural products are good for tooth whitening at home. That is not true. There are natural products that contain a lot of acids and can damage tooth enamel just as much as some synthetic products.
It’s not that you can’t use acidic products, but they should never be abused. This is a principle that you should know when you decide to do tooth whitening at home. The action of acids and some products can make the surface of the teeth porous, and this brings unexpected problems. For example, this causes plaque to accumulate and tartar to be generated more easily, or teeth to stain more quickly.
Another detail to keep in mind is that there are tooth whitening kits on the market, which have not been reviewed by any serious institution, and behind which there are no true professionals. This issue can be tricky, as you may unknowingly be using unwanted chemicals that damage enamel and dentin. That is why we recommend that, if you are going to do tooth whitening at home, you should choose to use natural ingredients or simple chemical compounds that are much less aggressive.
Ideally, you should consult a dentist before practicing tooth whitening at home to check the condition of your teeth. The way to practice tooth whitening at home is almost always quite simple and the ingredients to use are easy to get. Below we explain several methods and how to put them into practice.
What is the best tooth whitening at home?
Here are some techniques for tooth whitening at home. There are several methods you can use to do tooth whitening at home. The effectiveness of the ones we will give you below will depend on your type of enamel. We suggest you keep trying until you find the method that has the best effect on your enamel, that will be the best tooth whitening at home for you:
The “oil pulling” or mouthwash with oil
This is a method of oral hygiene that comes from Native American cultures. It is about making mouthwashes with oil. Traditionally used oils are sunflower and sesame oil, but now coconut oil has gained more popularity. Coconut oil, in addition to having a good taste, contains lauric acid, which is anti-inflammatory and antibacterial.
You should put a tablespoon of oil in your mouth and move it gently for 15 to 20 minutes. Then expel the oil into the toilet or in a garbage can to avoid clogging the pipes of the house. The action of the oil prevents the accumulation of plaque and tends to eliminate the yellowish tone of the teeth. It is a good practice that we can do daily (once a day) before brushing our teeth. Most people who frequently practice this method notice a whitening of the teeth. It is a very safe method since it does not damage the enamel.
Tooth whitening at home with baking soda
Sodium bicarbonate, that alkaline salt that is widely used as an antacid agent for stomach problems, is ideal for tooth whitening at home. It has already been used in the toothpaste industry, precisely for its natural whitening properties. Now we present it to you in its pure salt state, to be used as a tooth whitening agent.
Keep in mind that its whitening effect will not be seen overnight. Natural and homemade methods do not work like that. But with consistency it is very effective. In addition to removing surface stains from the teeth, it creates an alkaline environment in the mouth that prevents the growth of bacteria and prevents the settling of dental plaque.
Take 1 teaspoon of baking soda and mix it with 2 teaspoons of water. Stirring it gently will achieve a pasty texture. Then take some of this paste with the bristles of your toothbrush and go through the toothbrushing movements that you always do. You can do this several times a week (3 to 4 times), as it is a very safe method.
Tooth whitening at home with hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide has natural whitening properties. It has already been used in the whitening toothpaste industry along with baking soda. This colorless liquid is also a natural disinfectant that will help eliminate bacteria and reduce dental plaque.
To perform tooth whitening at home, it can be used in mouthwash or combined with baking soda as a homemade toothpaste. However, we clarify that this ingredient is not one of the safest for tooth enamel. That is why you should not abuse its use, as it could cause enamel erosion, gum irritation and tooth sensitivity.
To make mouthwash, hydrogen peroxide must be in a 1.5 and 3% concentration. Take some of it and move it gently throughout your mouth for a few minutes. Flush the hydrogen peroxide into the sink and then go on to brush your teeth normally. You should not abuse this mouthwash. Do it a few times a week and keep an eye on the reactions of your mouth and teeth.
To use it in the form of homemade toothpaste, you must mix 2 teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide of 1.5 to 3% concentration, with 1 teaspoon of baking soda. Mixing them will create a pasty texture. Put the paste on the bristles of your toothbrush and brush your teeth normally. Do not use this tooth whitening paste at home more than twice a week.
Eat fruit, vegetables, and fruit peels
Eating raw vegetables helps remove tartar from your teeth and makes them whiter. There are also fruits that stimulate tooth whitening. Strawberry provides malic acid, which helps remove stains from teeth. If mixed with baking soda, you can create a homemade whitening toothpaste. For this, you must mash the strawberries well, put a teaspoon of baking soda in it and mix well. This method has been made fashionable by celebrities. However, we recommend that you do not use it frequently, because it can damage the enamel. The same goes for pineapple and lemon. You can mix them in the same way with baking soda, but without using them in excess.
The other method is to use orange, lemon, or banana peels. It is about rubbing the peel directly on the teeth, and with that whiten them. In the case of the banana peel, you can do it as many times as you want, since it does not cause damage to the enamel. On the other hand, orange and lemon peels contain a lot of acids and can damage tooth enamel.
How long does home tooth whitening last?
The duration of tooth whitening at home will depend on how effective the method you choose is for you. In any case, remember that the ingredients that we have presented to you are best used consistently, but without excesses. With perseverance, you will begin to see the effects. Another detail that you must consider is that there are foods and habits that stain the teeth and others that prevent stains. You can do this to make your tooth whitening last longer:
- Reduce the intake of foods that stain the teeth: Wine, coffee, cola or carbonated soft drinks and dark berries are foods that leave stains on the teeth. You can consume them but try to prevent them from coming into contact with the teeth. For example, if they are liquid, you can use a straw or absorbent materials to consume them. Another thing you can do is brush your teeth after consuming them.
- Avoid smoking: Smoking is one of the habits that most discolours or stains teeth. Nicotine promotes the solidification of the plaque, that is, tartar. In addition, it not only changes the color of the teeth, but also affects the health of the gums and makes you more prone to gingivitis.
- Do not consume sugar in excess: Sugar creates a very favorable environment for the flourishing of the Streptococcus bacteria mutans , which is the main cause of plaque, tartar and gingivitis. That is why it is better to avoid eating very sugary foods. And when you eat them, you should brush your teeth to remove the residue.
- Practice good dental hygiene: The habit of brushing your teeth 3 times a day is very important to maintain tooth whitening. Improving the technique of tooth brushing is essential for hygiene. In addition, this should be complemented by flossing and mouthwashes.
- Eat foods rich in calcium: Foods rich in calcium help maintain the health of tooth enamel. Many times, the discoloration is caused by the erosion of the enamel, which makes the dentin more visible, which is yellowish. Milk, cheese, and yogurt; broccoli, cabbage, and cabbage; salmon and sardines; They provide a lot of calcium, which will protect tooth enamel.
