Why go to the dentist when you can learn how to whiten teeth at home instead? That’s our thinking and we’ve even put together a little guide to prove it. It covers all things teeth whitening, including DIY solutions and some of the best over-the-counter kits that money can buy.
This is how to get white teeth the natural way so you can save some money and look that much sharper during your next Insta sess or Zoom meeting. Smile!
What Causes Yellow Teeth?
Before you learn how to whiten teeth, you should know why your teeth have become off-white (or even yellow) in the first place. Here are some of the biggest causes of yellow teeth.
1. Stains
Should you eat certain foods or drink beverages such as cola, alcohol, or coffee, your teeth may get yellower as a result. Smoking tobacco products can likewise lead to yellowing, as can taking certain antibiotics or antihistamines.
In an ironic twist of fate, specific types of mouthwashes (namely those containing chlorhexidine and cetylpyridinium chloride) have likewise been associated with staining.
2. Thinning of the Enamel
Enamel is the outermost layer of your teeth and also the whitest layer. As we get older, this hard surface tends to wear down and reveal darker layers beneath it. Eating acidic foods or drinking acidic beverages can strip away at enamel and so can gum disease. Meanwhile, some people are genetically predisposed to having teeth with thin layers of enamel.
3. Poor Dental Hygiene
This one might seem like a no-brainer, but allow us to spell it out for you: if you don’t brush and floss every day, you’re going to get yellow teeth. Even after you master the art of teeth whitening at home, you’ll need to practice proper dental hygiene or you’ll suffer negative consequences like gum disease, cavities, and tooth decay.
4. Disease
There are a number of diseases that can harm enamel and we’re not just talking gum disease. Furthermore, certain treatments like chemotherapy can likewise cause yellowing or discolouration in teeth.
RELATED: Here are the benefits of apple cider vinegar for a healthier lifestyle.
How to Whiten Teeth at Home
As you should now be aware, yellow teeth aren’t so much a sign of neglect (though they can be that too) as much as they are a fact of life. Thankfully, teeth whitening at home has never been easier than it is right now. Here’s how to get white teeth without visiting the dentist.
Flossing is also an essential part of our daily routine to reach stains that develop in between the teeth. Dentists recommend traditional floss, but water flosser machines can add that extra edge to your cleaning and help control staining.
1. Lifestyle Changes
We’ll keep this one brief because it sort of speaks for itself. If your teeth are getting yellower and yellower, it might be time to reassess your lifestyle habits. Drink less coffee or alcohol. Stop smoking. Eat less acidic foods.
Sometimes, learning how to whiten teeth means learning how to prevent the causes of staining or enamel thinning.
2. Drink Through a Straw
Here’s another one you can file under “prevention methods.” That is to say, drinking through a straw can potentially protect your teeth against certain types of contact or exposure.
We would recommend this tip for those who are hooked on fizzy drinks, rather than as a stain prevention method. Drinking through a straw would bypass the front teeth, of which the acidity of fizzy drinks can cause damage to the enamel. Of course, it is always recommended to reduce or stop consuming fizzy drinks.
To also play your part in being environmentally friendly, do sip responsibly by employing a reusable straw.
3. Practice Proper Oral Hygiene
As any dentist can (and always will) tell you, maintaining proper oral hygiene is the best way to ward off yellowing and discolouration. Whereas most teeth-whitening methods are somewhat cosmetic, this one actually delivers healthy tooth structure.
Here are the basics:
- Brush twice a day for at least two minutes at a time
- Floss twice a day to remove plaque between your teeth
- Use a fluoride toothpaste, which can reportedly fight tooth decay
- Rinse with a dentist-recommended mouthwash once a day
It is wise to have regular dental visits on top of these tips for a clean to remove built-up stains. We recommend seeing your dental care provider at least once every six months.
4. Teeth Whitening Kits
Surely you’ve seen some of your favourite Instagram influencers and reality stars plugging teeth whitening kits online. In terms of efficiency, experts are still on the fence about the at-home mouthguard kits, however, that hasn’t stopped them from becoming a massive industry.
The above has been reviewed by Dr Anthony O’Rourke, lead dentist and a medical reviewer on the Man of Many team.
Best Home Teeth Whitening Kits
Teeth whitening kits are some of the most popular ways to whiten teeth at home. Here are some of the best teeth whitening kits on the market.
1. Bondi Smile Teeth Whitening Kits
Australia’s own Bondi Smile offers an assortment of top whitening products and kits.
2. Crest 3D White Whitestrips
Crest’s massively popular strips incorporate the same teeth-whitening ingredients used by dentists. They’ve been rated on Amazon by over 4,400 users and still have a 4.5 rating; that should tell you everything you need to know.
3. AuraGlow Teeth Whitening Kit
Did we say Crest’s 4,400 ratings were impressive? Well, the AuraGlow Teeth Whitening Kit has over 13,800 user ratings and 4.5 stars. Use once a day for 30 minutes and expect to see results after just one use.
4. Smile Titan Teeth Whitening Kit
Affordable and effective, this whitening kit uses a powerful LED accelerator light to speed up the process.
5. VieBeauti Teeth Whitening Kitz
Here’s yet another teeth whitening kit that covers the basics and delivers results, hence all the satisfied customers.
6. iSmile Teeth Whitening Kit
With its premium whitening gel and 5X LED light, this popular kit brings dentist-level quality to the comfort of your own home.
General FAQ
According to most experts, quality whitening kits will not harm tooth enamel or damage your teeth. However, some homegrown methods like brushing with activated charcoal do carry risks like tooth damage or enamel decay.
Professional kits will not damage your teeth, but please be wary of kits you see on social media or that are purchased over the Internet. These are often unregulated and at best will do nothing and at worst can be damaging to your teeth or gums
Proper oral hygiene and some teeth-whitening methods can help fight plaque and bacteria, meaning they’re both cosmetically and physically beneficial. Furthermore, whiter teeth can improve confidence levels, which has vicarious health benefits such as better moods and reduced stress or anxiety.
Having your teeth professionally whitened by a dentist can deliver better results than at-home kits, but also cost far more. In fact, professional whitenings can range anywhere from AUD$400 all the way up to AUD $900.0. By contrast, at-home whitening kits tend to cost as little as US$28 and as much as US$200.
The answer is no. Any tooth whitening system will have no effect on existing work that you already have in place
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