Home Remedies for Whiter Teeth: The Good and the Bad
There are a number of ways to get a brilliant white smile, but many of these procedures can be pretty pricey if you have them done professionally, even though the process is pretty effective for most people. Fortunately, you can whiten your teeth yourself using some home remedies and common household ingredients, and this could prove to work just as well as a dentist treatment–it just may take a little longer to see results.
Baking soda, having natural cleaning abilities, is one of the most effective ways to clean and whiten your teeth at home. Simply mix one part baking soda and one part toothpaste. Take two small strips of foil, and press them onto your teeth, to make teeth trays. Deposit your baking soda and toothpaste mixture into the trays. Wear the trays for an hour. Remove the trays. Without rinsing your mouth, brush your teeth thoroughly. If this procedure seems a bit too drastic, mix two tablespoons of baking soda with a glass of water. Rinse your teeth until the glass of water has been used up. Repeat this procedure about three or four times a day.
Hydrogen peroxide is another popular way to whiten teeth. Purchase a dilute solution of hydrogen peroxide from the local drug store or dollar store. It should cost only one or two dollars. Swish the peroxide at regular intervals throughout your day. You could also use peroxide to rinse out your mouth before and after scrubbing with toothpaste. Do not drink the peroxide at any point. Peroxide is toxic and corrosive. Always rinse your mouth out with tap water after swishing with peroxide. Peroxide is a drying agent, and when the mucus membranes of your mouth become dry, they become ideal breeding grounds for bacteria. This encourages cavities and bad breath-neither attractive traits.
The ashes of hardwoods are often used to white teeth as well. This is because the ash contains potassium hydroxide, known colloquially as lye. Lye is a very harsh chemical. It will harm teeth, gums, tongue, lips and skin. Although it may improve the appearance of your teeth, it can lead to poor oral health. This approach is generally not recommended.
You might have heard of using crushed strawberries to whiten teeth. They’re certainly not toxic, like peroxide and ashes. However, is it truly advisable to brush one’s teeth with a sugary, acidic, and gritty substance? When brushing your teeth with crushed strawberries, you are basically forcing sugar and acid onto your enamel. Sugar will be decomposed by bacteria to produce more acid. The acid will corrode the enamel, leading to cavities. The seeds of the strawberries are also problematic. They are hard, small and sharp. By brushing your teeth with crushed strawberries, you are in essence scratching them with small pebbles. The scratches made in your enamel will only collect more dirt.
Not only is baking soda considered more effective than most of these other home remedies, it is safe. Baking soda has virtually no negative effects on your teeth. Things like hydrogen peroxide, ashes, crushed strawberries, and lemon juice are all considered risky by dentists.
Finally, the most important component of whiter teeth is hygiene. Teeth need to be brushed once in the morning, and once in the evening. Any toothpaste containing fluoride will do. Spend three minutes gently scrubbing your teeth. Remember to brush along the inner rings. Rinse thoroughly with fluoride-enriched water.
Teeth whitening products and treatments have become tremendously popular in recent years. More and more, people are realizing that a white smile is an easy way to look more attractive, and even younger! Find out what your alternatives are when it comes to teeth bleaching systems at the Teeth Bleaching site.
Incoming search terms for the article:
- http://www heart-five com/home-remedies-for-whiter-teeth-the-good-and-the-bad
- brush your teeth with crushed strawberries
Leave a Reply