Keeping your teeth in good order is so important for various reasons. Toothache and decay can be extremely painful and seriously affect your life. Furthermore, having great teeth helps you to make a perfect first impression because our teeth are one of the first things that people notice about us. If you have a problem with crooked teeth then there are different options you can try such as braces, but when it comes to whitening your teeth, it is possible to do it yourself without having to pay a dentist to do it. There are various whitening techniques you can try which are scientifically proven to be effective. (Image Credits: Gpoint Studios/Freepik)
To help everyone out there achieve a winning smile, here are 6 science-backed ways to whiten your teeth.
1. Brush Regularly and Properly
Despite all the new and fancy whitening solutions which are available today, the number one way to whiten your teeth is the same as it always has been; regular and proper brushing. This is a habit which needs to be taught to every small child so that they carry it on during their whole life. Make sure you get a quality toothbrush and use a fluoride toothpaste which is approved by dentists. There are special whitening toothpastes available now which have proven to lighten teeth with regular use. Many dentists also recommend using an electric toothbrush because the vibrations loosen plaque and enable you to get cleaner teeth with less effort.
2. Professional Whitening
These days there are many dental hygienists and therapists who do professional whitening for patients who want to naturally restore their teeth’s whiteness. This procedure uses bleaching products, and sometimes also incorporates an activating laser, to bleach the teeth back to whiteness. The procedure without the laser requires multiple sessions done over the course of one or two months, whilst the laser method can be done in less than an hour. You should only ever receive this treatment from a dental professional and not from a beauty clinic as the chemicals used can be very harmful if used incorrectly.
3. Use a Teeth Whitening Kit
Whilst professional whitening is a very effective solution, for the majority of people, it can also be very costly. With the prices being out of most people’s budget, there are now various home kits that provide the same whitening effects at the fraction of the cost. These kits use the same hydrogen peroxide products applied to the teeth using either a mouthguard or whitening strips. You usually need to repeat this multiple times leaving the product on for multiple hours until your teeth become white. Always speak to your dentist about any kit you are considering because of the potential harm of the chemical used.
4. Increase Calcium Consumption
Our bones and the enamel of our teeth are both made from calcium. Increasing your calcium consumption is one excellent way of maintaining both the health of your teeth and their natural whiteness. There are many foods with a lot of calcium content, namely dairy foods like milk, cheese, and yogurt, but if your normal diet is low in calcium, you can also take a calcium supplement that will do the same job.
5. Gargle with Coconut Oil
It’s not enough to just focus on the whiteness of your teeth. Yellow teeth is usually a sign of poor dental health in general. One product that has been shown by scientists to be excellent at maintaining good dental health is coconut oil. By gargling coconut oil for ten minutes each morning and night after you have brushed your teeth, it collects the bacteria and other harmful things in your mouth which you can then spit out.
6. Clean Your Tongue
As mentioned above, having healthy white teeth is all about maintaining good overall dental health. We all know about the importance of brushing our teeth but many people fail to give their tongue the attention which it needs. The tongue is the ideal breeding ground for bacteria which causes teeth problems. So, it’s important to clean your tongue each time you brush your teeth. Simply brush your tongue for 20 seconds each morning and evening to protect your teeth and keep them white.
Every one wants a Hollywood smile but far too many people give up thinking it’s impossible for them to achieve. In reality, this is not true at all and is achievable for everyone without paying a fortune. Try out some of these science-backed ways to whiten your teeth and transform both your smile and your whole life.