Causes of Tooth Discoloration
We always think of visiting a dentist to remove yellow stains from teeth, but have we ever wondered how these yellow stains appear on your teeth? Well, there may be various reasons behind it, like:
- Chewing tobacco and smoking
- Drinking tea, coffee, wines, and colas
- Improper brushing and flossing
- Advancing age
- Genetics or natural characteristics
- Damage by fall disturbs the enamel (trauma)
- Excessive fluoride levels in water
- Several treatments, like neck and head radiation, chemotherapy, etc.
- Use of tetracycline, antihypertensive, antipsychotic, and antihistamines antibiotics
- Tooth filling
Symptoms
Before using any remedy for teeth whitening, it is better to get acquainted with the symptoms, which cause teeth discoloration. The major symptoms are:
- Worn away enamel
- White streaks or brown spots and yellow tints and pits on teeth.
- Foul smell from mouth
- Home Remedies for Teeth Whitening
We always try to seek for some professional treatment for whitening our teeth. A lot of money and time is wasted in these medical surgeries and treatments. Instead of spending money in buying teeth whitening products, you can have a sparkling smile just by giving some time to use these natural, easy, and quick home remedies for whitening your teeth. These natural teeth whitening recipes are not only pocket-friendly, but also effective.
1. Baking Soda
Baking soda is considered to be the best ingredient used for treatment of discoloured teeth. Put two tablespoons of baking soda in a cup of cold water. Stir the solution well. Now use the solution as a whitening solution. Rinse your mouth two or three times a day with this home-made mouthwash. It will reduce the stains for sure.
Instead of preparing a mouthwash, you can also use it as toothpaste. Dilute some baking soda. Scrub your teeth with the diluted soda for a few minutes. Follow this process twice or thrice a week to get glittering teeth.
Note- Excessive use of baking soda can damage your enamel.
2. Lemon
Lemon is known for its immune-boosting power, antibacterial, and healing properties. Lemon is not only used for skin diseases, but also used for whitening teeth. Take out the juice of lemon and mix it with some water. Rinse your mouth with this water.
Else, scrub your teeth directly with lemon peel to make them white.
Another way is to add some salt in a few drops of lemon juice. Apply the mixture on stained teeth. Now, rub toothpaste over your teeth and gums. Leave it for a few minutes. After sometime, rinse your mouth with normal water. Practice it twice a day to prevent teeth from yellow stains.
3. Strawberries
Strawberries are rich in Vitamin C. It acts as a natural cleanser. Take 2-3 strawberries; crush them to form a paste. Rub the paste on your teeth, gently. For best results, practise it two times a day for a few weeks.
You can also add half teaspoon of baking soda in the strawberry paste. Spread it onto your teeth and leave it for a few minutes. After rinsing your mouth thoroughly, brush your teeth with toothpaste to remove the remains.
4. Holy Basil (Tulsi)
Holy basil is also a natural remedy for whitening teeth. It can not only whiten your teeth, but also provide relief from several gum problems, like bleeding gums. Put some basil leaves in direct sun. When it gets dried, crush them to form a powder. Use it for regular brushing.
Alternatively, take some tulsi leaves; crush them and mix with mustard oil. Apply the paste on teeth. Orange peel powder can also be used in place of mustard oil.
5. Apples
Apple helps in increasing the production of saliva. It also helps in maintaining a fresh and clean breath. Eat one apple a day to remove stains from teeth. It is to be kept in mind that apple should be chewed properly in order to extract malic acid. The fibres help in removing the stains.
6. Salt
Salt is the easily available ingredient at home. It is considered to be the best dental cleansing agent for teeth whitening. It helps in refilling the lost minerals of teeth and regain whiteness. Salt can be used as a tooth powder to clean teeth.Salt can also be used with charcoal to whiten teeth.You can also add some salt with baking soda and rub it carefully on teeth to reduce the yellow stains.
Note- Salt is harmful for gums and enamel. Do not use it roughly.
7. Charcoal
Activated charcoal is used to remove impurities from water. Powerful crystals of charcoal are used for whitening teeth. Mix some charcoal powder with regular toothpaste. Brush with it carefully two times a day.
Instead of charcoal, ashes of burnt rosemary and bread can be also used.
8. Margosa (Neem)
Margosa twigs can be used in the form of toothbrush. Chew branches of margosa for removing yellow stains and prevent teeth problems. It helps in maintaining proper health of teeth. It is known for antiseptic and astringent properties, which help in curing dental cavities and bad breath.
Mix some margosa oil with regular toothpaste. Gently use it to brush your teeth.
9. Orange Peel
Orange peel possesses calcium and Vitamin C, which fights against micro-organisms present in the mouth. It is also effective for whitening the teeth. Rub orange peel directly on teeth, every night.
Dried orange peel powder can also be used in place of fresh orange peel.
10. Hydrogen Peroxide
To get rid to yellow teeth, hydrogen peroxide can be used as an effective remedy. Use a mouthwash, which contains hydrogen peroxide, in order to remove yellow stains from teeth.
Take some baking soda and mix it with little hydrogen peroxide to make a paste. Use this paste for brushing your teeth.
Note- Do not swallow hydrogen peroxide while gargling. You also need to use it with caution to protect teeth from getting sensitive.
11. Banana Peel
Banana is rich in nutrients. In fact, banana peels also possesses minerals, like magnesium, manganese, and potassium. These minerals are helpful in penetrating into teeth and whiten them. Rub the banana peel on teeth for 2 minutes. Leave it for 15 minutes. After that, brush your teeth with normal toothpaste. Repeat this process for two or three times a week.
12. Crunchy Carrots
Raw carrots are a natural cleanser. Chewing raw and crunchy carrots help in clearing plaque from teeth. Carrot helps in maintaining acid-alkaline balance in the mouth, which kills bacteria. Similarly, cucumber, celery, and broccoli also help in whitening the teeth.
13. Raisins
Raisins help in increasing the production of saliva. Raisins should be consumed daily as it helps in scrapping off plaque. It also prevents the formation of plaque.
14. Cheese
It is very strange that cheese can also be used as teeth whitening element. According to various researched sources, consuming a piece of cheese after meal helps to promote teeth re-mineralization and prevent teeth decay.
15. Milk and Yogurt
Milk and yogurt are rich in phosphorus and calcium. These minerals help in promoting re-mineralization of tooth enamel. They help in maintaining cavity-free and sparkling teeth.
16. Sugar-free Gum
Sugar-free gums, made with Xylitol, are also used for whitening teeth. According to a research, Xylitol is a natural sweetener, which fights against plaque and helps in reducing bacteria in the mouth. It also increases the production of saliva and neutralizes pH levels in the mouth.
17. Oil Pulling
Oil pulling is basically used to improve the oral health. Take one tablespoon of oil (sesame, coconut, sunflower, or olive). Rub it gently on teeth for 20 minutes. After rubbing, rinse your mouth. You can also gargle with oil to cover all corners of your mouth. After that, spit out the oil and rinse your mouth with clean water.
18. Banyan Roots
Roots of the banyan tree are also used for whitening teeth. The aerial roots of the banyan tree act as a disposable toothbrush. You are required to chew the roots of the banyan tree. These roots possess astringent properties, which are helpful to whiten the teeth.
19. Citrus Fruits
Citrus fruits help in generating saliva, which helps in whitening the teeth in a natural way. Lemon, pineapple, and oranges are some of the common citrus fruits.
Note: Over consumption of citrus fruits can damage the tooth enamel.
20. Brush and Floss
Regular brushing and flossing of teeth is important for good oral hygiene. Flossing helps in maintaining healthy gums. Dentists have recommended flossing to be a significant activity for protecting your teeth from staining. You are required to floss two times a day to prevent teeth discoloration.
21. Bay Leaves
Take some dried bay leaves. Crush them and mix with an equal amount of dried orange peel powder. Add some water to make a paste. Rub the paste directly on the teeth. You can also use this mixture in dry form.
22. Apple Cider Vinegar
To brighten up your smile, you can use apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar is used not only as a whitener, but also to kill germs, affecting the teeth. To whiten your teeth, start gargling with apple cider vinegar.
Note: Do not use it frequently; otherwise, it may damage your enamel.
23. Dark Chocolates
Here is an interesting fact for chocolate lovers. Dark chocolates are effective for whitening your teeth. These are rich in theobromine, a substance which helps to harden and whiten the surface of teeth.
24. Whitening Strips
One of the most easiest and convenient methods to prevent teeth discoloration is to use teeth whitening strips. These strips are very thin and coated with peroxide gel. They are easily available in the market. You are required to wear it for a few minutes in a day. If it is used continuously for a few days, effective results are visible.
25. Alcohol-free Mouthwash
No doubt, mouthwash helps in cleaning the mouth, but, most of the mouthwashes available in the market have excessive alcohol. Alcohol can dry out the tissues in the mouth and attracts bacteria. According to some studies, alcohol can increase the risk of oral cancer. So, be careful while selecting a mouthwash! Always pick an alcohol-free mouthwash.
26. Peelu Plant Fibres
Powder of peelu plant fibres can be used in the form of toothpaste. This non-abrasive powder helps in natural whitening of teeth.
27. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is also considered to be effective teeth whitening solution. It fights against the infecting bacteria and acts as a cleansing material. It is effective against cavities and root canals. For its usage, you have to mix aloe vera with vegetable glycerine to form a paste. Add some baking soda to it. Use the paste for cleaning the teeth.
28. Turmeric
Turmeric is also used as teeth whitening agent. Take some turmeric and roast it. Crush it into powder and add some salt and lime juice to it. This mixture can be used for whitening the teeth. It also keeps the gums healthier.
29. Rinsing the Mouth
It is one of the most ignored home teeth whitening remedies. A proper rinsing of mouth helps in cleaning the mouth effectively. Rinsing helps in preventing teeth from discolouration due to caffeinated drinks and sugar sodas. One should immediately gargle or swish mouth with water to remove the residual food.
Other Remedies
Apart from these simple and quick home remedies for teeth whitening, some other treatments and ready-to-use tools and kits are available in the market to whiten your teeth. Take a look:
1. Ultrasonic Cleaning : In this method, ultrasonic vibrations are used to remove the stains from teeth. However, it will not change the colour of your teeth, but reduces the teeth staining, resulted from building-up of calculus.
2. Dental Veneers : These are wafer-like coverings for teeth. They are made of porcelain and are cemented on teeth. They are effective against teeth discolouration as well as crooked or broken teeth.
3. Laser Teeth Whitening : In this method, a peroxide gel is used to lighten the teeth. A gel is applied on teeth. With the help of a laser, teeth whitening agents are made activated, which restore the brightness of your teeth.
4. Teeth Whitening Pens : These pens consist of a whitening gel. You just require applying this pen on your teeth, after brushing properly. Leave it for two-three minutes. Then, wash off your mouth with water. For the best results, use it continuously for 2 weeks.
5. Magic Erasers : Magic erasers are used to clean and whiten the teeth. But, are they really effective? Well, some people do not prefer it because it damages the enamel.
Preventive Measures
Discolouration of the teeth can be prevented to a great extent by following the below given measures.
- Use a straw to consume drinks. It will reduce the exposure of the teeth to staining beverages, like coffee, fruit juices, etc. It will directly pass the drink to your throat, rather affecting the teeth.
- Drink a cup of tea every day as it is rich in fluorides, which fights against the harmful bacteria and stops the production of a type of sugar that results in cavities. But, avoid drinking too much tea.
- Brush your teeth gently. Do not apply force for removing plaque.
- Avoid smoking, red wines, black tea, etc.
- Replace your toothbrush on a regular basis.
- Use water floss to prevent teeth decay.
- Include fibrous food in your diet.
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