Let’s face it, we’ve all gone on Google at one point or another and typed, “how to whiten my teeth.” Although we all want to keep the “white” in “pearly whites,” there seems to be a lot more questions out there than there are answers. In this blog, we hope to provide you with a few ways to whiten your teeth so that you don’t have to stress over it.
Oftentimes, people will take desperate measures for whitening their teeth resorting to products that use dangerous chemicals. And according to Heathline.com, Americans spent more than $11 billion on teeth whitening products — $1.4 billion of which was at-home whitening products. After reading this blog, you should have a few different options for whitening your teeth without breaking the bank or resorting to using harmful chemicals.
The Cause Of Yellow Teeth
Before we can talk about the best ways to whiten teeth, it’s important to establish what exactly causes yellow teeth in the first place. Poor oral hygiene is most certainly one of the major culprits of yellow teeth. If you forget to brush or don’t brush well enough, plaque will begin to grow on your teeth and eventually make them look yellow.
Gum recession can also cause teeth to appear more yellow; this typically occurs as a result of gum disease or periodontal disease — two of the most common oral health conditions in America. Gum recession results mainly due to the inflammation caused by bacteria in the mouth, however, physical wear and damage can also play a role. Once gums begin to recede, the root of the tooth will be exposed. This part of the tooth has no enamel, and as a result, will appear more yellow or brown in color than the crown of the tooth. Many people don’t realize this is happening, so they resort to whitening methods or brush more vigorously instead of repairing the gum tissue.
Another cause of yellow teeth could be the food or drink you are consuming. If you’re a fan of coffee (who isn’t?) then you’re probably well aware of the staining it will cause. But that’s not the only thing that will cause staining. Try cutting back on foods like curry, balsamic vinegar, and carbonated drinks like sugary soda. Another important thing to note is that you should avoid brushing immediately after consuming something acidic. Instead, wash your mouth out with water and wait about 30 minutes before you brush. This will prevent damage to your enamel according to Colgate.
Brush More Frequently
Since plaque buildup can lead to receding gums and yellow teeth, it’s only natural that brushing more frequently and consistently will make your teeth more white. Most dentists recommend brushing once in the morning and once at night right before bed. However, as aforementioned, it’s important to avoid brushing right after eating acidic foods or brushing to vigorously in order to avoid damaging gum tissue. Aside from that, brushing more will only help you regain those pearly whites you once had!
Create Your Own Mouthwash
One effective way to whiten your teeth is to make your own mouthwash made of hydrogen peroxide with water and swishing it around your mouth for a minute. The hydrogen peroxide will eliminate harmful bacteria in your mouth and help prevent bad breath. Try mixing the hydrogen peroxide with baking soda instead of water to form a paste that can be applied directly to the teeth and gums. Just make sure there isn’t too much baking soda in your mixture. If the baking soda isn’t diluted enough, it could rub the enamel right off your teeth.
Visit An Oral Health Specialist
At the end of the day, these home remedies should help you regain that bright white color your teeth had when you were younger. However, it’s important to make sure that you’re still seeing an oral health specialist regularly. If you’ve been struggling with maintaining healthy teeth and have lost teeth due to periodontal disease, it’s time for you to speak with a periodontist about dental implants. At Same-Day Implants, we offer everything from oral exams and oral cancer screening to single-tooth dental implants and All-on-4 dental implants. Contact us today.
