A dynamite smile is one of the best ways to upgrade your appearance. And don’t think a pearly white smile has to break the bank. A great way to whiten your teeth at home is to use two simple household staples you already have in your medicine cabinet or pantry. Grab some hydrogen peroxide and baking soda and let’s get started…
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Facts About Teeth Whitening
Did you know that your teeth have pores just like your skin? These pores act like a sponge, absorbing whatever you eat that has color. More about problematic foods that can cause your teeth to yellow below.
Once the color of your teeth has darkened, they will stay that way unless you are proactive, and find a way to lighten them. That’s where teeth whitening comes in. Whitening your teeth is safe and won’t harm them as long as you stay within the parameters set for the whitening agents you opt to use.
These agents work because they open the pores in the teeth to counteract staining. Whitening your teeth takes time and consistency to get great results. There is no product out there that can adequately penetrate the teeth to whiten them in a short amount of time.
Although, it can take some time for people with significant staining to obtain the results they want, the good news is that once favorable results are achieved, they are easy to maintain. You’ll notice gradual improvements after each session.
It’s normal for your teeth to be a little sensitive after you whiten them. Keep in mind, whitening your teeth will only restore the color of your teeth before they became stained. How white your teeth are naturally is determined by genetics.
Benefits Of Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda To Whiten Teeth
Hydrogen peroxide is an inexpensive, readily available, chemical bleaching agent that whitens teeth by removing build-up. Incidentally, hydrogen peroxide is the primary ingredient in the majority of tooth-whitening kits and professional treatments, although typically in higher concentrations.
Besides whitening your teeth, hydrogen peroxide also fights bad breath and kills harmful bacteria and germs in your mouth. In fact, hydrogen peroxide is used as a mouthwash for these very reasons.
Baking soda acts as an abrasive that whitens teeth by removing surface stains and plaque. It’s also a natural deodorizer, freshening breath by killing the bacteria responsible for odor. Hydrogen peroxide and baking soda work in conjunction with each other to weaken bacteria and loosen it from the teeth.
How To Whiten Your Teeth From Home
1. In a small bowl, mix approximately 2 tablespoon of baking soda and 1 tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide.
2. Mix together until it forms a paste that is quite thick. Add a little more hydrogen peroxide if the mixture is too gritty or not thick enough.
3. Apply to teeth using a toothbrush. Gently brush in circular motions for 2 minutes.
4. You can also swish the solution around in your mouth for 1 minute instead of brushing.
5. Rinse thoroughly.
6. Repeat every other day or every couple of days.
Tip: Never use a hydrogen peroxide solution that is stronger than 3-6%. Concentrations stronger can damage the enamel. Be careful to never swallow hydrogen peroxide as it can interact with acids in the stomach and lead to GI issues. It can also potentially cause esophageal bleeding so be extra cautious not to swallow it.
Use a soft-bristle toothbrush and don’t apply too much pressure. Alternatively, you can use a finger to apply the mixture.
Avoid brushing in one area for too long, and don’t brush around the base of teeth if you have receding gums.
Hydrogen peroxide can damage and irritate the roots of teeth that have been exposed. Rinse immediately if you feel any burning sensations.
Cut back on your whitening regimen if you notice your gums are becoming increasingly more sensitive. Don’t whiten teeth more than once per day or leave the solution on for longer than two minutes.
Baking soda is abrasive and can erode the enamel on your teeth if left on too long. It’s also possible to use just baking soda to whiten your teeth with equal amounts of water.
Additional Tips
Whiten your teeth every other day until you’re happy with the results, then whiten once a month for maintenance. Certain substances can stain teeth. The obvious ones are coffee, tea, wine, and smoking.
Other foods you may not suspect, include pasta sauce, beets, soy sauce, soda, juice, balsamic vinegar, and dark-colored berries. Tannins, acidic compounds in food, are to blame for teeth becoming yellow over time because of their ability to adhere to the teeth.
The only way to prevent this entirely is to refrain from eating foods that contain tannins, although rinsing your mouth after eating acidic foods will minimize staining. Brushing, however can further compound the problem by driving the tannins further into the enamel.
Key Points
Nothing conveys health and beauty more than a brilliant, white smile. Whitening your teeth at home is easy, doesn’t take a lot of time, and will save you money. White teeth, are not only beautiful, but are a great confidence-booster as well. Give this simple whitening solution a try…
Have you whitened your teeth at home? Were you happy with the results? Let me know in the comments:)
References:
(1) Orthodontics Limited. PC: 10 Foods That Stain Your Teeth
(2) Healthline: Does Hydrogen Peroxide Whiten Teeth?
(3) Smilebrilliant.com: 10 Facts Everyone Should Know About Teeth Whitening
(4) NCBI: Evaluation of the effect of hydrogen peroxide as a mouthwash in comparison with chlorhexidine in chronic periodontitis patients: A clinical study
(5) NCBI: The efficacy of baking soda dentrifice in controlling plaque and gingivitis: A systematic review
Hello, I really want to first thank you for your effort in putting this great website together and writing this article. It is so easily described in your post. I had to pay so much money when I wanted to get my teeth whitened, I even bought products that were probably done with this method on your review. Thanks for the insight!
Thank you. Yes, professionally whitening your teeth can be expensive, but does work great. I’m a DIY type of person so prefer doing it at home on a consistent basis. Thanks for taking the time to comment:)
Holly,
So nice of you to share your expertise on how to achieve a porcelain white smile. A basic prerequisite for those in the beauty and entertainment fields, but it’s great that anyone can improve their pearly whites by following your thoughtful suggestions. Isn’t it encouraging that simple ingredients can be so beneficial? Thank you for your insights.
JR
Hi JR,
You’re very welcome, thanks for reading my post. A gorgeous white smile conveys health and beauty, and fortunately it’s easy to whiten your teeth at home.
White teeth…wow. I love white teeth. Whenever I see yellow teeth, I unfortunately get grossed out. The unfair thing is that mine are yellow most of the time, as well. Supposedly, medication damages them. Love your article. Great idea. Having white teeth certainly is a great way to upgrade one’s appearance.
Hi Linda,
Don’t you just love beautiful smiles? I’m with you, yellow teeth aren’t attractive. I’m glad we are able to whiten our teeth.
I was not aware that particular meds can damage teeth. That’s unfortunate. Thank you for letting me know and for taking the time to read and comment on my article:)