5 secrets to beautiful white teeth

Have your teeth turned a yellowish shade? If so, your enamel is probably going through a process of degradation as it becomes weaker and thinner than before. This protective layer is susceptible to becoming darker in color when coming in contact with teeth-staining ingredients. Fortunately, there are various professional and natural teeth-whitening secrets to perfectly white teeth, and you’ll find five of those methods below, ranging from whitening toothpaste to apple cider vinegar. If you wish to try to use an at home teeth whitening kit, make sure you purchase one that provides long-lasting results.

These are the main secrets to a brighter smile:

1. Use whitening toothpaste

One of the secrets to a white smile is the use of whitening toothpaste. As its name suggests, it contains various teeth-whitening ingredients. Although many individuals consider bleach effective in the removal of discoloration, this ingredient is infamous for its harmful effects on people suffering from tooth sensitivity.

Instead of bleach, most types of whitening toothpaste contain hydrogen peroxide, activated charcoal, baking soda, and other mild abrasives like calcium carbonate, silica, dicalcium phosphate, and sodium metaphosphate. Nevertheless, it is worth remembering that these ingredients are not effective in removing intrinsic stains, only the extrinsic (surface-level) ones.

Some individuals make their own whitening toothpaste by combining baking soda and water. Apart from brightening the color of the teeth, baking soda has the potential to prevent bacteria growth. This toothpaste should be used several times a week, showing the first results after a period of a few weeks.

2. Avoid teeth-staining foods and drinks

Another secret to a white smile is consuming fewer or none of the ingredients that stain teeth. Many foods and drinks can cause extrinsic stains, which affect the enamel.

Consuming things that leave a pigmented residue on the surface of teeth will only cause you to look older than your age and give the impression that you don’t care about oral health. See this page on tooth enamel erosion and restoration to learn more.

Given this information, the best choice would be to steer clear of staining foods and beverages. They include coffee, tea, sodas, balsamic vinegar, beets, berries, curry, red wine, and tomato sauce.

If you cannot limit the consumption of these things, make sure you rinse your mouth immediately after consuming them. When it comes to the beverages, use a straw whenever possible.

3. Consume certain fruits for perfectly white teeth

Although most berries are considered bad for teeth whiteness, some fruits are capable of improving the shine of people’s smiles. For instance, strawberries and pineapple are renowned for their teeth-whitening qualities.

Strawberries

Strawberries contain an enzyme called malic acid, which breaks away the stains and removes the staining particles from the oral cavity.

Create your own whitening mixture by crushing a single strawberry and half a teaspoon of baking soda. Then, use a toothbrush to dip into the mix and apply it to your teeth.

Let it sit on the teeth for approximately five minutes, after which you can use normal toothpaste for brushing. Don’t use this teeth-whitening technique more than once a week, though, to prevent deterioration of the enamel.

Pineapple

As for pineapple, it is popular for its teeth-whitening properties because it contains the enzyme bromelain. This enzyme not only removes stains but also breaks up plaque, known as the sticky coat of bacteria accumulating on the enamel.

4. Practice good oral hygiene

The main secret to perfectly white teeth is good oral hygiene. Good daily habits contribute to teeth whiteness.

In addition to brushing twice a day, try to floss your teeth at least once daily. Some people also scrape their tongues and use mouthwash as part of their oral hygiene routine.

If you are not regularly brushing and flossing, you are at a high risk of developing plaque buildup. Since plaque is responsible for absorbing the pigments of foods and drinks, letting it sit for long periods on the teeth, including when you sleep, is not good, to put it mildly.

To prevent this issue, try to brush your teeth in the morning and before bedtime. Keep in mind that good dental hygiene also reduces the risk of gum disease, which sometimes results in tooth loss.

5. Give natural methods a try

Another secret to a white smile is experimenting with some natural teeth-whitening methods. Here are some of the most popular ones, including oil pulling, charcoal, and apple cider vinegar.

Oil pulling

Oil pulling, a technique originating from India, is a simple method of removing bacteria and plaque buildup. While sesame oil was used in the beginning, nowadays many people use coconut oil instead since it provides faster results.

This natural teeth-whitening technique is performed by swishing a tablespoon of coconut oil in the mouth for 15-20 minutes. Once you are done swishing, spit the oil out, rinse your mouth with water, and brush your teeth.

Turmeric powder

Turmeric powder is another natural ingredient to fight teeth stains and keep optimal oral health. This powder is popular for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as its role in removing extrinsic stains.

To make a paste, combine a teaspoon of turmeric and a little water. For an even greater effect, you can mix a teaspoon of turmeric, one of coconut oil, and one of baking soda.

Charcoal

Charcoal has become well-known for its teeth-whitening properties too. Charcoal also plays a role in preventing plaque buildup.

All you need is charcoal powder to dip your toothbrush in. Afterward, brush your teeth for at least two minutes.

Also, there are different types of charcoal toothpaste available. That is an alternative to combining charcoal and water.

Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is effective in removing bacteria and hard stains. It works well because it contains acetic acid.

You can use this ingredient in the same way as charcoal to dip your toothbrush in and brush your teeth for a few minutes. Do not use the apple cider vinegar too often, though, especially if you experience tooth sensitivity.

Orange peels

Orange peels are another natural remedy for a brighter smile. Simply rub the peel back and forth along the enamel for several minutes.

The acids in this fruit are responsible for making the teeth whiter. Be sure to brush them for five minutes after rubbing the orange peel.

The final word on getting white teeth

Everyone deserves a bright smile. It’s that simple. With the secrets above, you can get whiter teeth to help you feel more confident.

If you give some of these methods a try, let me know the results. Or, if you have tried any of them, comment below to let me know your thoughts.

Photo by Shiny Diamond from Pexels.