If there's one common thing that media persons, movie stars, television actors, and other celebrities share, it has to be their dazzling white smiles. They certainly have professional help " whitening, polishing, veneers, and the like " which are very effective at removing stains and discoloration, making teeth several shades lighter. But these are expensive procedures that can leave big dents in the wallet. Does that mean you can't have a beautiful white smile without spending a fortune? Not at all! Here are some teeth whitening tips you can try at the comfort of your home, and the best part " you can try them using ingredients that's probably already available at home.
1. Give Oil Pulling a Try
Many people are not familiar with this technique but might swear by it after trying. The process involves swishing around a tablespoon of coconut oil in your mouth for about 10 to 15 minutes before brushing the teeth. After the mentioned time, spit the coconut oil out, rinse mouth with water, and proceed with brushing your teeth. The lauric acid present in coconut oil is excellent in cleansing away bacteria that can make teeth look darkened or yellowish.
2. Citrus Fruits are Good for Liver Not For Teeth
Citrus fruits like limes and oranges are great to ward off many diseases, but they are also loaded with acids that have been proved to damage the teeth enamel. To protect the enamel from eroding, it is advisable to rinse your mouth to wash off the acid immediately after having lemons and fruits alike.
Another nifty trick is to use a straw to sip fruit juices instead of drinking them straight from the glass. This reduces the contact between the acidic juices and your teeth enamel. In fact, this is also a great way to consume dark liquids such as coffee, tea, and red wine that tend to stain teeth.
3. Get Your Daily Fix of Fresh Fruits and Veggies
Crisp fruits and vegetables not only support the vital vitamin and mineral intake required for our bodies but also helps keep teeth clean by taking off the surface stains. Chomping on hard, raw fruits or vegetables like carrots, apples, and guava produces more saliva, which cleanses away bacteria and acts as natural exfoliants for your teeth. However, make sure to rinse your mouth well after eating.
4. Choose Whitening Trays Over Strips
Whitening strips do serve the purpose, but not as desired. Distribution of the whitening formula is often uneven on the teeth surface. Whitening trays do a much better job of whitening your teeth. It is always preferable to choose an at-home whitening kit that comes with mouth trays and whitening gel.
5. Try Using a Pre-Rinse before Brushing and a Mouthwash After
Pre-rinse is composed of ingredients like hydrogen peroxide, which assists in loosening up the food deposits lodged between your teeth, making brushing even more effective. Needless to say, stale food is most often the source of harmful bacteria that cause teeth yellowing. Made up of fluoride components, a good mouthwash is an appropriate solution for fixing tooth decay. Use mouthwash every day after brushing teeth. The truth is: often, when it comes to teeth whitening, having a good oral hygiene routine is half the battle won!
6. Replace Your Toothbrush Regularly
Simply put, an old toothbrush with worn out bristles isn't good enough for reaching all the grooves, nooks, and corners of your teeth. Treat yourself with a new brush as and when required. It is the most basic step for having a healthy and thus, confident smile.
Try out these home teeth whitening tips and tricks and you'll be pleasantly surprised to find that it's possible to achieve that perfect smile sitting right at your home, and most importantly, without having to spend too much.
MORE