Tired of hiding your smile because of stained, discoloured, or dull teeth? Teeth whitening services have gained immense popularity in recent years, and it's no wonder why. A bright and confident smile can do wonders for your self-esteem and overall appearance, and investing in teeth whitening at home solutions is an effective and affordable way to achieve a confident and healthy smile. From maintaining good oral hygiene and avoiding foods and drinks that can stain your teeth, to choosing the best teeth whitening services for your requirements, here are 10 ways to help yourself at home and guarantee a dazzling smile.
Teeth Whitening
Teeth can become stained or discoloured due to various reasons, including poor dental hygiene, certain foods and beverages, tobacco use, ageing, and certain medications. The outer layer of the tooth, called enamel, can accumulate stains over time, making the teeth appear yellow or discoloured, and the underlying layer of the tooth, called dentin, can naturally darken with age. Teeth whitening services help remove stubborn stains and discolouration, including surface-level stains caused by coffee, tea, wine, and tobacco use, making teeth look healthier and brighter.
Whilst teeth staining can be seen as a natural occurrence and is a very common process, it can cause people to feel self-conscious and can impact negatively on their overall self-esteem. Teeth whitening services, therefore, don’t just enhance the appearance of your smile: they also boost confidence and improve the patient's self-esteem. Similarly, a renewed bright, white smile can make a person feel more attractive, particularly if they have struggled with discoloured teeth for an extended period, leading to an increase in their positive social interactions and improved overall well-being. Teeth whitening also encourages people to maintain good oral hygiene habits, as those who invest in teeth whitening are more likely to take better care of their teeth and gums, leading to improved oral health.
Ready to improve your smile? Here are our top 10 ways to improve your smile through teeth whitening at home.
- Brush with baking soda
One of the easiest, most popular, and most cost-effective ways to whiten your teeth at home is by using baking soda. Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is a mild abrasive that can help remove surface stains and brighten your teeth. Simply wet your toothbrush, dip it into a small amount of baking soda, and gently brush your teeth for about two minutes, paying extra attention to areas with stains or discoloration. Once done, rinse your teeth and mouth thoroughly and brush your teeth with regular toothpaste to remove any residual baking soda. It's important to note that while baking soda is generally safe to use, excessive use or brushing too vigorously can damage your tooth enamel. Therefore, it's best to limit the use of baking soda to once or twice a week and consult your dentist if you have any concerns.
- Watch your diet
The foods we consume on a daily basis can have a significant impact on the colour of our teeth. If you want to maintain a bright and white smile, it's important to watch your diet and avoid foods that can stain your teeth.
Some common stain culprits include acidic foods, sugary snacks, and citrus fruits. Acidic foods can erode the enamel of your teeth and cause discolouration over time, whilst sugar can cause bacteria to grow in the mouth, leading to tooth decay and a yellowing of the teeth. To minimise the staining effects, try to limit your consumption of these items or rinse your mouth with water after consuming them.
On the other hand, there are also foods that can naturally help whiten your teeth. Strawberries and apples, for example, contain natural enzymes that can help remove surface stains and brighten your smile. Apples, carrots, and celery act as natural toothbrushes, stimulating saliva production and scrubbing away surface stains, and dairy products contain calcium, which help strengthen tooth enamel.
- Choose the right drinks
Drinks like coffee, tea, and red wine contain pigments that can stain teeth over time. Limiting their consumption can help maintain a brighter smile, as well as avoiding sports drinks and fizzy beverages that contain high amounts of sugar. Drinking water throughout the day helps rinse away food particles and reduce the risk of stains, and keeps the mouth hydrated, promoting saliva production which helps protect teeth from discolouration. Opting for healthy green and herbal teas, and healthy drinks such as coconut water, also helps to prevent bacteria growth, reduce plaque build-up, and protect teeth from staining.
- Teeth whitening toothpaste
If you're looking for a simple and convenient way to whiten your teeth at home, consider using teeth whitening toothpaste. These toothpastes usually contain mild abrasives, such as silica or baking soda, that gently polish the surface of your teeth to remove surface stains and brighten your smile over time. They may also contain hydrogen peroxide or other bleaching agents in low concentrations to help whiten your teeth.
To use teeth whitening toothpaste, simply apply a pea-sized amount to your toothbrush and brush your teeth for two minutes. Make sure to reach all surfaces of your teeth, including the front, back, and chewing surfaces before rinsing thoroughly and brushing with regular toothpaste to remove any residual whitening toothpaste.
- Use an electric toothbrush
If you're serious about maintaining a bright and white smile, consider investing in an electric toothbrush. Electric toothbrushes are designed to provide deeper cleaning and remove plaque and stains more effectively than manual toothbrushes, and the rotating or vibrating bristles of electric toothbrushes can reach areas that are difficult to clean with a manual toothbrush, such as the back of your molars. They also provide consistent and even pressure, ensuring that all surfaces of your teeth are thoroughly cleaned.
- Brush after you eat or drink
Another simple yet effective way to maintain a white smile is to brush your teeth after consuming foods and drinks that can stain your teeth. Brushing immediately after eating or drinking can help remove any residue and prevent stains from setting in. It's especially important to brush after consuming acidic foods and drinks, such as citrus fruits and soda, as they can weaken your tooth enamel and make it more susceptible to staining.
- Don't forget to brush your tongue
When it comes to oral hygiene and teeth whitening, many people tend to focus solely on their teeth. However, it's equally important to pay attention to your tongue. The surface of your tongue can accumulate bacteria and plaque, which can contribute to teeth discoloration and bad breath.
To maintain a healthy and white smile, make sure to brush your tongue every time you brush your teeth. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush or a tongue scraper to gently remove bacteria and plaque from the surface of your tongue. This will not only help keep your breath fresh but also contribute to overall oral health and keep your teeth white and stain-free.
- Consume hard cheese and coconut oil
Believe it or not, certain foods can actually help promote a whiter smile. Hard cheese, for example, can help remove bacteria and plaque from your teeth, effectively brightening your smile. The chewing action required to eat hard cheese also stimulates saliva production, which can help wash away food particles and reduce staining.
Coconut oil is another natural ingredient that can contribute to teeth whitening. It contains lauric acid, which has antibacterial properties and can help remove plaque and stains from your teeth. Consider incorporating coconut oil pulling into your oral hygiene routine by swishing a tablespoon of coconut oil in your mouth before spitting it out and rinsing your mouth thoroughly with water.
- Use whitening snacks
Sometimes, the best teeth whitening solutions can be found in unexpected places. One such solution is popcorn. Chewing on plain, unsalted popcorn can help remove surface stains from your teeth, as the rough texture acts as a natural scrub. Chewing sugar-free gum is also a good, easy way to keep your teeth stain-free, as chewing sugar-free gum stimulates saliva production, which can help wash away food particles and reduce staining.
It's important to note that while these home remedies and habits can help reduce discolouration, remove surface stains, and contribute to teeth whitening, they may not provide the same level of whitening as professional treatments. For the best teeth whitening results, it's always best to opt for professional whitening services.
- Teeth Whitening at Home
For more dramatic and long-lasting results, make an appointment to consult with your dentist and explore professional whitening options, such as our teeth whitening at home solutions. At Dentalia, we offer the Enlighten teeth whitening system as part of our teeth whitening services.
Widely recognised as the most effective whitening system on the planet, the Enlighten system is a safe, effective, and reliable way to achieve a brighter and whiter smile. When opting for our Enlighten treatment, you are guaranteed a Vita shade B1, and every step of the process is overseen by our experienced teeth whitening professional team for a dazzling and healthy smile.
Enlighten is a two stage, teeth whitening process that starts at home, with the teeth whitening at home treatment being applied in the comfort and privacy of your own home for two or three weeks. Once this has been completed, an hour treatment at our practice locks in the final results of the whitening, and the best results are often visible two weeks after the treatment has completed. This quick, discrete process is designed to work for you and is adapted to suit your teeth whitening requirements, as well as giving you full control over your teeth whitening at home treatment.
Teeth whitening services with Dentalia
Maintaining a bright and white smile doesn't have to be a challenge. By incorporating these 10 tips into your daily routine, you can perform your own teeth whitening at home, and achieve the dazzling smile you've always wanted.
If you are ready to take control of your smile and invest in your self-esteem, then contact us today or visit our practice to discuss our teeth whitening at home services.
