{"id":3748,"date":"2021-02-18T08:08:21","date_gmt":"2021-02-18T13:08:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.opencare.com\/blog\/?p=3748"},"modified":"2021-03-03T13:33:33","modified_gmt":"2021-03-03T18:33:33","slug":"natural-teeth-whitening-tricks-for-a-whiter-smile","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.opencare.com\/blog\/natural-teeth-whitening-tricks-for-a-whiter-smile\/","title":{"rendered":"Natural teeth whitening: Tricks for a whiter smile"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading Time: <\/span> 8<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>

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Nearly everyone will be tempted to try natural teeth whitening eventually. Whether it\u2019s to counter the look of yellowing that has developed over time or in preparation for a big event, teeth whitening can help. Maybe it\u2019s due to poor brushing habits or not using an<\/span> electric toothbrush<\/span><\/a>, which can clean 100 percent better than a manual brush. Or it could be just bad luck.<\/span><\/p>\n

These things happen but you\u2019re not powerless against yellow teeth. Here\u2019s a comprehensive guide on why teeth turn yellow, natural ways to whiten teeth, and how to prevent tooth staining.<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Common Reasons Teeth Turn Yellow<\/b><\/h2>\n

Worried about yellow teeth? We have good news. Oftentimes there\u2019s a clear cause.<\/span><\/p>\n

Generally, for teeth to go yellow it\u2019s because of some bad habits<\/span> connected to lifestyle.<\/span><\/a> Drinking coffee or tea and smoking or chewing tobacco are all common culprits. On the other hand, certain diseases, medications or even genetics can sometimes play a role in tooth discoloration.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Why is there good news?<\/span>\u00a0If the cause is related to lifestyle habits, that means you can also prevent your teeth from losing their white sparkle. More on that in a bit, in the meantime, here are some other factors that cause teeth to yellow.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t

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Enamel Thinning<\/b><\/h3>\n

Tooth enamel is precious. It also makes for a white smile, since enamel is white, with the under-layer, known as dentin, yellow-brown. Unfortunately, enamel is also easy to damage, with<\/span> the many ways it can happen<\/span><\/a> including excessive soft drink consumption, acid reflux disease, and certain medications.<\/span><\/p>\n

Stains<\/b><\/h3>\n

In 2016, a professor at Tufts University\u2019s School of Dental Medicine <\/span>studied<\/span><\/a> the outside factors that cause stains. Typically food, beverages, or other substances (like cigarettes) can create extrinsic stains while intrinsic stains are found deeper inside teeth.<\/span><\/p>\n

This study noted how foods most likely to stain teeth include berries, popsicles, candies, pickles, soy sauce, curries, and tomato sauce. Don\u2019t throw out your strawberries or spicy curry yet! You don\u2019t have to avoid these foods, but knowing some of the big stain-causing contenders will help flag when you need to step up your dental care game \u2014 in the form of a thorough brushing \u2014 after eating.<\/span><\/p>\n

But food isn\u2019t the only culprit for teeth staining, according to <\/span>A recent medical article<\/span><\/a> medications like antibiotics can also cause stains.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

Grinding<\/b><\/h3>\n

Are you grinding those pearly whites? That habit can wreak havoc on your teeth and eventually lead to stains. <\/span>Mouth guards <\/span><\/a>are a common solution for prevention and if left unchecked, grinding can cause enamel loss, fractured teeth, gum recession, and premature aging and yellow due to shrinking dentin. If you\u2019re hoping to show off a bright, white smile but are grinding your teeth you\u2019ll need to quickly address.<\/span><\/p>\n

Age<\/b><\/h3>\n

To some extent, tooth yellowing can be unavoidable. Dentists state that as teeth age,<\/span> dentin yellows naturally<\/span><\/a>, causing teeth to change tone over time. If you wear down your enamel this is especially true, so protecting your tooth\u2019s barrier today will help keep them white in the future.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Intrinsic Factors<\/b><\/h3>\n

Like aging, intrinsic factors are mostly out of your control. But how can you tell if intrinsic factors are causing those yellow hues? Intrinsic stains develop deep inside the tooth and are sometimes caused by unhealthy habits, but they can also happen because of trauma to the tooth, medication administered to young children, and even from in utero factors.<\/span><\/p>\n

A Chicago-based dentist<\/span> made note of an unsurprising fact<\/span><\/a>: Intrinsic stains are far more difficult to fix than extrinsic stains. But treatments are available including options like installing veneers.<\/span><\/p>\n

Easy Ways to Naturally Whiten Teeth at Home<\/b><\/h2>\n

Anyone looking to avoid harsh chemicals while teeth whitening, this is the place for you. Did you know using harsh chemicals is generally frowned upon? You could risk damaging your enamel making these treatments often more trouble than they\u2019re worth. Why risk it? When there are numerous methods for natural teeth whitening at home.<\/span><\/p>\n

The following tips aren\u2019t for instant teeth whitening and some of the methods illustrated here take time. But with persistence, they can yield results. And we bet you have a lot of the items needed in your home right now.<\/span><\/p>\n

Oil Pulling<\/b><\/a><\/h3>\n

The name of this might sound noxious but bare with us. The way this method works is to apply coconut oil to your teeth after brushing and swish the melted oil for anywhere from five to 20 minutes. This is not a misprint, we said minutes.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But oil pulling, unorthodox as it might sound, can get results. In addition,<\/span> a study available through the National Center for Biotechnology Information<\/span><\/a> noted, \u201cOil pulling can be explored as a safe and effective alternative to Chlorhexidine.\u201d While time-consuming, this method has converted many looking for whiter teeth. Side note: Do not try spitting the used oil in the sink, aim for the garbage can. Your plumbing will thank you.<\/span><\/p>\n

Put Baking Soda on your Toothbrush<\/b><\/h3>\n

This doesn\u2019t mean you have to switch your current toothpaste for one that includes baking soda (but these are widely available and have great reviews.) Health information publisher HealthLine<\/span> explains how<\/span><\/a> to whiten teeth with baking soda. Start by mixing one tablespoon of baking soda with two tablespoons of water then brush with the mixture a few times a week.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBrushing with a paste made with baking soda and water can reduce bacteria in your mouth and buff away surface stains,\u201d HealthLine concluded.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

Use Hydrogen Peroxide (in the Appropriate Amount)<\/b><\/h3>\n

An article in Medical News Today<\/span> noted that hydrogen peroxide can be effective<\/span><\/a> in fighting yellow stains. But before you grab the bottle under your bathroom sink, just remember that overuse of peroxide can cause enamel damage and if you have sensitive teeth you\u2019ll probably want to steer clear of this method. Most store-bought whitening treatments use hydrogen peroxide with a strength of 10 percent but you\u2019ll want to use 3 percent (commonly found in stores) to avoid hurting your enamel.<\/span><\/p>\n

This article lists two methods of using peroxide including diluting it with water and swishing it around your mouth, or creating a paste out of peroxide and baking soda and applying it directly to your teeth.<\/span><\/p>\n

Eat your Fruits and Veggies<\/b><\/h3>\n

An apple a day keeps the doctor away but it also might help with teeth whitening. A 2011<\/span> article<\/span><\/a> from the American Association of Retired Persons\u2019 noted that consuming apples can help prevent yellow stains.<\/span><\/p>\n

The article listed other foods that can help keep teeth white, namely:<\/span><\/p>\n