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Natural and professional methods to a brighter smile
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Have you ever wanted to brighten your teeth and make your smile stand out? There are a lot of ways you can get rid of those pesky stains—and we're here to walk you through all of them. Read on to learn some of the best over-the-counter and professional treatments available so your teeth can sparkle again!
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QuestionIs it safe to use teeth whitening strips?Dr. Tu Anh Vu is a Board Certified Dentist and Owner of Tu's Dental, her private practice, in Brooklyn, New York. With over six years of clinical experience, Dr. Vu helps adults and kids of all ages get over their anxiety with dental phobia. Dr. Vu has conducted research related to finding the cure for Kaposi Sarcoma cancer and has presented her research at the Hinman Meeting in Memphis. She received her undergraduate degree from Bryn Mawr College and a DMD from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine.Yes, it's generally safe for most people. You probably shouldn't use them if you have braces, though. You'll also want to avoid using them if you've had restorative work down, like a crown, filling, or veneer.
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QuestionCan yellow teeth become white?Dr. Tu Anh Vu is a Board Certified Dentist and Owner of Tu's Dental, her private practice, in Brooklyn, New York. With over six years of clinical experience, Dr. Vu helps adults and kids of all ages get over their anxiety with dental phobia. Dr. Vu has conducted research related to finding the cure for Kaposi Sarcoma cancer and has presented her research at the Hinman Meeting in Memphis. She received her undergraduate degree from Bryn Mawr College and a DMD from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine.It kind of depends on a couple of factors. If your teeth are yellow, it's because the dentin underneath your enamel is showing through. If your enamel has been worn away, there isn't really a whole lot you can do to get the enamel back. However, you may be able to get your teeth a few shades whiter by brushing regularly, flossing, and seeing your dentist for regular cleanings. Teeth whitening strips can also help, but you shouldn't use these if you have braces or if you've had any restorative work done.
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QuestionHow long will it take for my teeth to go white with baking soda?Dr. Macau is a Doctor of Dental Surgery based in London, England. Dr. Macau is an oral surgeon, periodontist, and aesthetician at Favero Dental Clinic where he is known for his cosmetic dentistry and facial aesthetics work. He is actively involved in scientific research in the field of dentistry and he received his DDS from Carol Davila University of Medicine in 2015.It depends firstly on your regular diet and if you consume colored foods and drinks or if you are a heavy smoker. A good final result requires not just brushing with baking soda but also a balanced diet. You can see good improvements after the first two weeks, but if you are not happy with the result then you should go for a professional whitening treatment
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Tips
- Drinks like coffee, tea, and wine can all stain your teeth, so be sure to cut them back or brush your teeth after having them. [16] X Research sourceThanks
- At-home whitening treatments will only work on natural teeth, so they won’t be effective if you have crowns or veneers. [17] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to sourceThanks
- Try to quit using tobacco products you use since they can discolor and stain your teeth. [18] X Research sourceThanks
Tips from our Readers
The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
- Get several teaspoons of baking soda and mix with enough lemon juice to make paste. Brush it on with a toothbrush and leave on for a minute, then don't eat for a few hours afterwards. This is best done before bed.
- Try oil pulling, which is an old Indian trick from a long time ago. Take a tablespoon of coconut oil and swish it in your mouth for 5 minutes (or 10 for best results). Rinse afterwards.
- Help keep the teeth white by drinking liquids that can darken your teeth from a straw, but don't drink hot liquids through a straw.
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Warnings
- Any tooth-whitening method might cause increased sensitivity. [19] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to sourceThanks
- Fruits like strawberries, oranges, and lemons are all acidic and can cause your enamel to wear away. [20] X Research sourceThanks
- Avoid using activated charcoal to whiten your teeth since it’s abrasive and could wear away at your enamel. [21] X Research sourceThanks
- Over-the-counter hydrogen peroxide isn’t an effective tooth whitener, and it could cause pain or inflammation to your gums. [22] X Research sourceThanks
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References
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/10954-teeth-sensitivity
- ↑ https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1708-8240.2005.tb00476.x
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/is-teeth-whitening-safe/
- ↑ https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-many-safe-choices-available-to-help-whiten-teeth/
- ↑ https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/teeth-whitening
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4058574/
- ↑ https://youtu.be/FVYJk40zYC4?t=17
- ↑ https://jada.ada.org/article/S0002-8177(17)30811-5/fulltext#secsectitle0040
- ↑ https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1601-5037.2010.00473.x
- ↑ https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-05-2011/5-foods-that-whiten-teeth-naturally.html
- ↑ https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-05-2011/5-foods-that-whiten-teeth-naturally.html
- ↑ https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/idh.12096
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4058574/
- ↑ https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/natural-teeth-whitening/
- ↑ Tu Anh Vu, DMD. Board Certified Dentist. Expert Interview. 10 April 2020.
- ↑ https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/teeth-whitening
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4058574/
- ↑ https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/teeth-whitening
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/is-teeth-whitening-safe/
- ↑ https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/natural-teeth-whitening/
- ↑ https://jada.ada.org/article/S0002-8177(17)30412-9/abstract
- ↑ https://dentalsmilesatdacula.com/is-hydrogen-peroxide-safe-for-teeth-whitening/
About This Article
Article Summary
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To whiten your teeth, gently brush them with baking soda and water to remove any stains. If you have hydrogen peroxide, use it as a whitening mouthwash every day before you brush your teeth. Just make sure you don't swallow it! For more dramatic results, try whitening toothpaste or whitening strips from the store. If you want to learn more from our Dental Surgeon co-author, such as dental treatments or how to keep your teeth white, keep reading the article!
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Reader Success Stories
- "If you use toothpaste and hydrogen peroxide, brush it on, leave on for a minute, and brush your teeth like you usually do, it worked for me, and I know it can work for you, too!" ..." more
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