Teeth whitening at home is less traumatic and cheaper way compared to regular visits to a specialist. Let us consider in more detail which folk remedies help us fight for a snow-white smile.
Why does tooth enamel darken?
The darkening of tooth enamel in medicine is usually denoted by the term "discolor". With age, as well as under the influence of external factors, the color of teeth is constantly changing. The porous structure of enamel and dentin is able to absorb dyes and securely hold them.
The reasons for which the enamel can change its color, divided into external and internal.
The external factors affecting the color include:
- eating food containing dyes;
- smoking, due to which the teeth become yellow with a brown tint;
- improper oral care, consisting of poor-quality toothbrushes, irregular brushing of teeth, removal of tartar;
- tooth enamel and dentin are fed by substances entering through the dental nerve. Removing the nerve can cause the tooth to darken.
Internal causes affecting the color of a smile include:
- various genetic diseases;
- injuries and jaws, which resulted in violation of the integrity of the pulp inside the tooth, responsible for its nutrition;
- violation of the optimal fluorine content in the body;
- use of chemical and radiation methods;
- caries, which is always accompanied by darkening or blackening of the tooth surface;
- use in the treatment of diseases of antibiotics of the tetracycline group, among the side effects of the reception highlight the acquisition of dental enamel yellow or gray tint;
- installation of copper amalgam fillings, which leads to the appearance of a brown tint;
- violation of metabolic processes in the body;
- diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in chronic or acute form;
- disorders of the thyroid gland.
To deal with the darkening of enamel due to internal factors is much more difficult, because for this you need to establish the root cause and eliminate it. Only in this case the result of bleaching will be fixed for a long time.
Teeth whitening at home: is it safe?
Home whitening procedure is often dangerous. Before proceeding with the procedure, it is important to consult with a specialist.
This condition is mandatory regardless of what method of bleaching was chosen - using the methods of traditional or alternative medicine.
Enamel lightening procedure occurs due to mechanical or chemical effects on it. If the state of health of the teeth leaves much to be desired, then the additional burden of bleaching will only aggravate the situation.
Failure to follow the recommendations of the dentist leads to the fact that whitening becomes the cause of the occurrence of dental disease.
Bleaching of enamel has a number of contraindications:
- The presence of periodontal disease.
- If dental braces are attached to the teeth, otherwise whitening will be uneven.
- Children under 16 years old, since during this period active formation of tooth tissues occurs, its healthy state is laid for the whole future life.
- Pregnancy and lactation.
- Allergic reactions to the components used in the clarification, including hydrogen peroxide.
- Carious lesions of enamel at any stage.
- High sensitivity of teeth to the effects of hot and cold food and drinks. After bleaching the threshold of susceptibility will rise even higher.
- Seals and crowns are not exposed to bleaching agents. The only way to lighten them is to replace them with other, lighter shades.
Ways to whiten teeth at home
What can whiten teeth at home effectively and without harm? Consider the most simple and affordable ways to lighten tooth enamel. Any selected method should be discussed with your doctor.
Hydrogen peroxide
Included in most bleaching products, so it can be successfully used at home. The process of using hydrogen peroxide consists of the following steps:
- thoroughly clean the mouth;
- 3% hydrogen peroxide in the amount of 20-30 drops is dissolved in half a glass of water and rinsed with the resulting mouth solution;
- cotton swab moistened in a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution and wiping enamel with it;
- rinse your mouth with warm water.
The procedure can not be repeated more often 2 times a day. It is important to remember that this method of bleaching is associated with a high risk of burning the mucous membrane and making the enamel too sensitive.
Tea tree oil
Suitable for use only 100% natural product without additives. Pre-teeth need to be cleaned, then put 3 drops of oil on a toothbrush and evenly spread it over the teeth.
After the procedure, mouth rinse thoroughly. Oil helps to get rid of tartar, to remove plaque from tea and coffee.
Activated carbon
It is a mechanical method of lightening enamel. It is necessary to knead a few tablets of charcoal to a uniform powdery state, apply it to the toothbrush and clean the mouth.
For more convenient use, activated carbon can be mixed with a small amount of toothpaste. This method of bleaching is permissible to take no more than 3 times a month.
Lemon
Means for teeth whitening allows you to achieve the desired effect due to the content of ascorbic acid. It is the easiest way.
It is enough to rub the teeth with a slice of lemon, and while brushing your teeth you can add a few drops of juice to the paste.
It is allowed to use lemon for clarification no more than 1 time per week. The method is prohibited for teeth with enamel hypersensitivity.
Salty water
Salt is a natural remedy that cares for the gums and oral mucosa. It is noticed that if every day you rinse your mouth with warm water and salt dissolved in it (1 teaspoon per glass), then the enamel will become noticeably whiter.
Electric brush
Science has proven the fact that an electric toothbrush can remove 70% more plaque from a tooth surface than a normal toothbrush. Bacteria and plaque are known to be the first cause of tartar formation and enamel darkening.
Coconut oil
This natural product is not only an antibacterial natural remedy, but also helps to cover the enamel with a very thin film that prevents its staining.
Apple vinegar
The effectiveness of apple cider vinegar in the fight for the white-toothed smile has been proven empirically by a single generation. It can be used as an independent means for rinsing the oral cavity, and used with soda.
The recipe is simple. To do this, mix soda and vinegar to obtain a mushy mass and apply it on the teeth for 5-7 minutes. Then rinse your mouth with warm water. Apple cider vinegar as a folk bleaching agent is allowed to use no more than once a week.
Strawberry
Due to the high content of natural whitening agents in fruits, strawberry is the leader among edible products used to lighten enamel.
It will be enough to knead a few berries to a state of mashed potatoes and apply on the enamel for 5 minutes. After the procedure, you need to brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste.
Teeth whitening soda
The most popular folk remedy for whiteness of teeth is soda. This bleaching method is mechanical (abrasive), therefore not recommended for frequent use.
How to whiten your teeth at home soda? A cotton pad or piece of gauze dipped in soda, wipe the tooth surface.
Take one teaspoon of soda, slightly moistened with 3% hydrogen peroxide solution to a mushy state, the mixture is applied to a toothbrush and used for cleaning instead of paste. The composition is permissible to apply no more than two times a week. The effect will be noticeable after the first time.
The lack of use of soda for whitening is excessive thinning of the enamel, as well as possible mechanical injuries of the gums and oral mucosa.
Professional tools for whitening home enamel
What professional tools can whiten your teeth at home? Such home remedies for giving the enamel greater whiteness include whitening strips, plates and pencils.
Today there is a large selection of whitening strips with a special composition applied on them. There are also strips designed specifically for sensitive teeth. Using them is quite simple.
Every day, strips for 30 minutes are attached to pre-cleaned teeth. This method gives a lightening effect of 2-3 tones, which lasts about 2 months. After using the stripes, the sensitivity of the teeth increases, but eventually passes. The only drawback of this method is the inability to whiten the space between the teeth.
Bleaching plates in their composition contain a special gel with a brightening effect. The plate is structurally similar to a mouth guard, made of durable plastic. It is put on the upper or lower pre-cleaned tooth row and leave for a while.
The advantage of the plate compared to the strips is that the gel is able to penetrate into the space between the teeth, thus bleaching them from all sides. When using caps, it is important to observe precautions and not to allow the whitening gel to get on the mucous membrane.
Pencils are a convenient portable tool for bleaching enamel. With their help, the composition is applied to the surface of the tooth. Some pencils suggest washing the gel, in others it dissolves with saliva.
Pencil well removes plaque from drinking coffee or tea, cigarettes and serves as an excellent way to maintain whiteness outside the home.
Express methods of bleaching enamel at home
How to quickly whiten your teeth? There are special tools that allow you to achieve a whitening effect in the minimum amount of time at home. For maximum results, it’s enough to use them during the week.
It is important to remember that such products are professional and contain a high concentration of bleaching agents, which is far from safe for the state of enamel and gums.
Crest 3D White Luxe Whitestrips Supreme strips, which contain 14% hydrogen peroxide, can give a whitening effect in a short time.
Keep them on the teeth for 30 minutes, 2 times a day on pre-cleaned teeth (but not earlier than 1 hour after cleaning). Do not allow the lightening agent to hit the mucous surface of the mouth.
Among the cap plates that give the fastest possible whitening result, there is Opalescence Take Home PF with a content of hydrogen peroxide in a concentration of about 20%.
How to keep your teeth white for a long time?
Bleaching enamel at home gives the effect that you need to try to keep as long as possible. The following simple rules will help you achieve this:
- Observe regular teeth brushing: at least 2 times a day, ideally after each meal. Teeth brush from 2 to 3 minutes, with soft movements, paying attention to hard-to-reach places.
- After each meal, use dental floss, chewing gum.
- It is necessary to eradicate bad habits - drinking and smoking. They affect not only the health of all organs and systems of the human body, but also change the color of enamel.
- Drink less coffee, orange juice and red berries.
- Eat dairy products, fresh vegetables and fruits.
Real reviews
There is not always time to visit the dentist, and maintaining a smile in a snow-white state is an important necessity. Therefore, I use home remedies for teeth whitening. I prefer tea tree oil. It not only bleaches, but also has antibacterial properties, fights against microorganisms that cause bad breath.
Irina, 27 years old, Moscow
It has long been noticed that no enamel whitening product can not be compared with proper nutrition. I included in my daily diet dairy products, which contain so much calcium and the result was not long in coming. Teeth become stronger and whiter. Raw vegetables and fruits help me to mechanically whiten my teeth.
Masha, 19 years old, Kemerovo
During my life I tried, perhaps, all the ways of home bleaching. All of them somehow affect the state of enamel and gums. The most effective and benign remedy without any consequences I can safely call tea tree oil. It really can lighten up on several tones, besides it kills bacteria, so my gums never bleed.
Victoria, 35 years old, Ples
I have always been on the side of teeth whitening only by professional hands with the help of the latest equipment and proven medical devices. Therefore, once a year I visit a dentist who performs professional enamel cleaning. For the rest of the time, I only maintain the state I achieved with the help of folk remedies. My favorite is lemon peel, with which I rub the surface of the teeth once a week. The procedure does not cause unpleasant sensations, is absolutely safe. In addition, lemon contains antibacterial essential oils, so my gums always remain healthy.
Evgenia, 20 years old, Yaroslavl
Additional information about teeth whitening can be found in this video.
