Are your teeth no longer the bright white they used to be? Are you looking for a product to whiten your teeth, but unsure what you can do at home that will bring you whiter teeth fast?
There are many options for teeth whitening products; some of the most popular are those that can be had through a dentist. But the dentist options are expensive, messy and uncomfortable. You might wonder if there’s anything you can do at home to whiten your teeth on your own.
There are, in fact, many options for at-home tooth whitening. Following are five home tips for getting dazzling white teeth.
1. Go old school.
For many years before the advent of tooth whitening toothpastes, people relied on kitchen staples to keep their teeth white. Two of the most common are baking soda and hydrogen peroxide.
Some people choose to use just the baking soda by sprinkling some on their toothbrush and brushing their teeth with it. You are advised to not swallow the concoction that results, but rather to rinse well after brushing your teeth. You can also sprinkle the baking soda on your toothbrush and then add a bit of hydrogen peroxide to it and brush with that. It doesn’t taste good and you’ll want to rinse well afterward, but many people swear by this method.
2. Try lemon juice
Many girls have used straight lemon juice on their hair to bleach it, and the same method can apply to your teeth. Though this is generally seen as a successful method, be careful about overusing it as the lemon juice can be acidic to the teeth and might harm enamel.
Those who use lemon juice will often use the juice of a fresh lemon rather than juice from a can or bottle. Simply squeeze some lemon juice on the toothbrush and brush the teeth.
The lemon juice leeches some of the calcium from the teeth, which causes them to look whiter (calcium is what gives the teeth an off-white color). But because calcium is a major contributor to healthy teeth, stripping the calcium is not an ideal method.
Most experts recommend using lemon juice only for occasional whitening needs (a party or special event, for example), because losing calcium can weaken teeth and the lemon juice can also weaken enamel and even contribute to the development of tooth decay.
3. Strawberries.
This method is simple, but unusual. Many people have had a good deal of luck whitening their teeth with the help of a fresh strawberry.
When you use this method, you simply rub a fresh strawberry over the surface of your teeth. When you do so, you might likely see your teeth whiten considerably right in front of your eyes. It’s believed that the strawberries help to almost “slough off” the top layer of the stained enamel, thanks to the texture of the strawberry. The acidic nature of the strawberry will also help with whitening.
As with lemon juice, the strawberry should not be used for the long term. It can be damaging to the enamel over time and so should only be used on an infrequent basis for immediate help.
Many who espouse this method also recommend brushing your teeth right after using the strawberry. This helps to remove some of the natural sugars from the surface of the tooth right away.
4. Lick your bad habits
Now, we’re not judging, here, but consider that your habits can directly affect the look and health of your teeth. If you smoke, stop smoking. If you drink a lot of black tea, make the switch to green or herbal teas. Cut down on coffee.
You might not see results immediately like you might with some of these other methods, but you will see a difference in the color of your teeth if you stop the habits that create the yellowed and darkened teeth.
5. Use a home tooth whitening product.
This is one of the most popular methods today for whitening your own teeth at home. You can buy a kit and simply follow direction to get a whiter smile.
For anyone who is unsure about using lemon juice, strawberries or other methods that might damage enamel – or who wants to use a method that can be utilized on a regular basis without harm – using a home whitening kit might be an ideal solution.
Be sure, however, that before you pick a home product, you read the instructions and warnings carefully. Look to see if the product has good reviews and that it fits your budget. Having a bright smile can be had in several ways if you are willing to experiment and try new things.
