how to whiten teeth from home
How to naturally whiten teeth by a Registered Dental Hygienist
types of teeth stains
To effectively whiten your teeth properly, you need to first choose a whitening method that addresses the type of stain you have. If you aren’t sure what kind of stain you have, consult with your dentist. The two types of stains are intrinsic and extrinsic.
intrinsic stains
Stains that are inside your tooth enamel are called intrinsic stains. Intrinsic staining is sometimes present even before your teeth erupt from your gums when you’re a kid. These stains can result from antibiotic use, high levels of fluoride exposure, and your tooth enamel growing thinner as you age.
Extrinsic stains are on the outside of your tooth. These happen due to environmental exposure to things that leave discoloration on your tooth enamel. Coffee, tea, artificial food colorings, and smoking can all cause this type of staining.
extrinsic stains
teeth whitening options
Teeth whitening options range from toothpaste with whitening ingredients to professional teeth whitening sessions overseen by your dentist. Some whitening products aim to actually remove extrinsic stains from your teeth, while others simply bleach intrinsic and extrinsic stains so that they appear lighter in color.
Many over-the-counter (OTC) and in-office treatment options use hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide to break down and minimize stains on your teeth. These chemicals can be aggressive and irritating to your body in higher doses. That’s why it’s extra important that you use teeth whitening products as directed.
Talk with your dentist about any sensitivity you may experience after using whitening treatments at home or when receiving them at the dentist’s office. If a product causes tooth pain or redness or bleeding in your gums, stop using it and consult your dentist.
ditch your manual toothbrush
Investing in a rechargeable electric toothbrush will not only help keep your teeth whiter by removing stains, but it will also help keep your gums healthier. A lot of people think a battery-operated toothbrush has the same benefits as a rechargeable electric toothbrush… it does not. (Keep a look out for my blog on electric vs. battery toothbrushes). Here are a couple of recommended toothbrushes from Amazon.
oral b io series 9
7 Smart Modes for personalized brushing: Daily Clean, Whitening, Gum Care, Sensitive, Intense, Super Sensitive, and Tongue Clean
AI Tracking with 3D Teeth Tracking maps the surface of each tooth, ensuring a complete clean
Compatible only with Oral-B iO Replacement Brush Heads
Smart Pressure Sensor displays a red light when brushing too hard and green when brushing just right.
mouth rinses
Mouth rinses are the simplest to use and easiest to implement. You may not get dramatic whitening results as you would with other over-the-counter products, but they're great for warding off stains so they’re worth the swish!
Whitening mouthwashes have a low concentration of HP and sodium hexametaphosphate, potassium pyrophosphate, and sodium citrate.
Crest 3D Glamorous White
A triple-action formula makes this effective for whitening teeth, protecting against future stains, and killing the germs that cause bad breath. The brand claims you can see results in just two days. She also lauds it for being alcohol-free, so you won’t get any of that uncomfortable burning or dryness during or after use.
For best results, use every morning and wait 30 minutes prior to drinking or eating.
whitening at dentist’s office
Tooth whitening at the dentist’s office uses higher concentrations of active ingredients to achieve visible results more quickly. Power bleaching at the dentist’s office involves whitening your teeth with a powerful hydrogen peroxide solution for 20 to 30 minutes.
In-office teeth whitening may require several sessions in order for you to get your teeth as white as you would like. These sessions can be expensive and aren’t often covered by insurance because they are not part of routine dental cleanings.
PRODUCTS TO AVOID!
CHARCOAL TOOTHPASTE
Activated charcoal is a fine-grain powder made from natural substances such as wood, coconut shells, and other sources that are oxidized under extreme heat. Charcoal is highly absorbent and used medically to absorb and remove toxins. However, its use as a whitening toothpaste is still relatively new.
Charcoal toothpaste is so abrasive, it will wear away the enamel layer of the tooth which is the “protective layer”. It is not good to use as a daily product. Wearing away your enamel exposes the dentin layer making our teeth appear yellow. This will also create severe tooth sensitivity.
Just don’t even waste your money buying this product. Your teeth are NOT your hair. Yes, purple and yellow are on opposite sides of the color wheel therefore they’re supposed to cancel each other out, right? Well, with hair we have pigments that the purple shampoo adheres to. With teeth, it doesn’t work the same way.
Hydrogen peroxide, carbamide peroxide, and baking soda are the key ingredients to turning your teeth from yellow to white.
