Everyone feels more confident with white teeth. Stains on teeth, whether yellow, brown or grey, can make someone lose confidence in their smile. The source of stains on the teeth usually vary depending on the trigger factor you are exposed to. Teeth may lose their bright white appearance due to drinks such as coffee, red wine, or tea. Too much sugar or carbohydrates on your diet can also cause teeth stains through the build-up of plaques after bacteria feed on the sugar. The enamel can also wear out, mostly due to age, to expose the yellow-colored dentin.
As such, people often seek teeth whitening solutions for stained teeth. Often, people run for bleaching products for teeth whitening, not knowing that there are natural alternatives to chemicals. Chemicals can be harsh on your teeth and erode the protective enamel even further when used for an extended period. Therefore, it is generally safe to avoid chemicals for teeth whitening. Some of the alternatives to whiter teeth include:
Activated charcoal
Activated charcoal has a broad spectrum of uses thanks to its highly absorbent property. This property also enables it to whiten teeth when you brush by removing teeth stains. To do this, ground a tablet of activated charcoal or retrieve the activated charcoal from a capsule by opening it. Place the capsule content or powdered activated charcoal on your toothbrush and brush your teeth in circular motions for roughly 2 minutes. Alternatively, you can make a mouthwash of activated charcoal and water that you use for two minutes every day. Activated charcoal also achieves teeth whitening by absorbing toxins present in your mouth, thereby reducing the bacteria in your mouth.
Regular brushing and flossing
The most crucial tip for whiter teeth that every dentist will advise you to adopt is frequently brushing and flossing your teeth. You should brush at least twice daily to avoid the build-up of plaque. Plaque is the leading cause of yellow teeth. Therefore, removing food residues before bacteria feed on them to form plaque is an effective way of preventing teeth stains and getting rid of yellow stains on teeth. Brushing your teeth also gets rid of plaque-forming bacteria, improving the color of your teeth.
Baking soda
You can use baking soda during brushing. Dilute baking soda in water in the ratio one to two then use the paste as toothpaste several times a week. You will start to notice changes after consistently using the paste for several weeks. Some commercial toothpastes contain baking soda as an ingredient to enhance whitening of teeth. Unlike other chemicals, baking soda is not a harsh abrasive making it completely safe for scrubbing off teeth stains. Furthermore, baking soda is an alkalinizing agent. It, therefore, prevents the growth of bacteria that feed on food residues in your teeth to form plaques that stain the teeth.
Vegetables and fruits
Many people associate fruits and vegetables to healthy living, unaware of the fact that they are also good for teeth. Crunchy vegetables and fruits get rid of already built-up plaque when you chew them. Similarly, fruits with a high content of water wash away the build-up plaque from your teeth, thereby cleaning your teeth. Fruits are also helpful in whitening teeth. Eating fruits such as pineapples, strawberries, and apples has been linked to whiter teeth. Pineapples are rich in bromelain enzyme that breaks down plaque to remove teeth stains, while strawberries have malic acid that has a whitening effect on teeth.
Veneers
Veneers are a form of restorative dentistry with a variety of uses. They can be used for teeth whitening, cracked teeth, or as an alternative to braces. Veneers are usually wafers made of different materials that are bonded to the front surface of your tooth using bonding cement. They are the last resort option for teeth whitening after other methods fail to work. Veneers can last up to 20 years before the need for replacement. However, they are an expensive option since the cost of one veneer can be as high as $2,500.