It is natural for teeth to become less white as we age. Many people turn to home remedies to try to get rid of yellow teeth. But what treatments are most effective?
1. Frequent brushing
Brushing your teeth after consuming foods or beverages that can discolor your teeth, such as red wine, coffee, blueberries, or beets, is crucial to keeping your teeth white.
Remember that you have to brush your teeth three times a day, for 2-3 minutes, making sure to brush the surface of each tooth – including those at the back of the mouth – making circular movements. You don’t have to brush your teeth across the gums (or do it very gently)
2. Whitening toothpaste
Whitening toothpaste can help reduce yellowing of teeth and improve whiteness. These products contain stronger ingredients than regular toothpaste, which help remove tough stains from certain foods. This toothpaste does not contain bleach, but it may contain a small amount of carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide. These chemicals help lighten the color of the tooth. According to a study published in the 2014 journal of evidence-based dental practice , whitening toothpaste generally lightens tooth color by one or two shades.
3. Whitening strips
Whitening strips include a thin layer of peroxide gel on plastic strips. Most options suggest that they should be applied twice a day for 30 minutes and that they can lighten the teeth by one or two shades. A 2016 study published in Clinical Oral Investigations notes that there is no evidence that whitening strips are more effective than 10% carbamide peroxide gel. Using carbamide peroxide gel is the method recommended by the American Dental Association.
4. Rinses for whitening
Whitening mouthwashes contain sources of oxygen such as hydrogen peroxide that react with compounds that stain the teeth, helping to restore their whiteness. Using a rinse twice a day for 1 minute each time can produce a one to two shade improvement in tooth color in about three months.
5. Vitamin C
A study published in the 2007 Journal of clinical Periodontology concluded that vitamin C deficiency can worsen periodontitis, which is a build-up of bacteria on the teeth and gums. This build-up contributes to discoloration. It follows that eating foods with vitamin C can reduce tooth discoloration, although more research is needed on whether consuming vitamin C can have a whitening effect on teeth.
6. Apple cider vinegar
When used in small amounts, apple cider vinegar can reduce tooth stains and improve whiteness. A study published in the Journal of Sichuan University in 2014 determined that apple cider vinegar had a whitening effect on teeth. Of course, the study was not carried out in humans, but in animals. Apple cider vinegar can damage the surface of your teeth if it is used too often. More research is needed on its use as a teeth whitener.
7. Coconut oil
A study published in the Nigerian Medical Journal in 2015 found that gargling with coconut oil could be an effective way to reduce plaque buildup on your teeth. Since plaque buildup can contribute to the yellowing, it follows that coconut oil extraction can reduce discoloration. However, more research is needed to establish to what extent it can help teeth whitening.
