Over time, teeth can become discolored or yellowish. This discoloration is often caused by what we eat or drink. Certain types of diets can lead to teeth discoloration. Furthermore, plaque buildup will also lead to yellowing teeth. But your teeth don’t have to stay that way. Teeth whitening will brighten your smile once again.
Investing in teeth whitening services is one way to whiten your teeth, but it isn’t the only way. There are some easy-to-use methods to whiten your teeth at home in as little as one day. Read on to find out how you can get back your gleaming white smile in just a short amount of time.
First, What Not to Use: Activated Charcoal
This method of teeth whitening uses activated charcoal to pull stains off of your teeth, but it’s not recommended. Activated charcoal essentially binds to the stains and pulls them off. However, the problem with charcoal is that it’s abrasive, and it can bind to important minerals that are also on your teeth—nutrients your teeth need to be healthy. There are plenty of other safer options out there that can take the place of whitening this way.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is a natural teeth whitener, which is why it is an active ingredient in many kinds of toothpaste. This mildly abrasive ingredient works best to scrub away stains in the front of the teeth as it mixes with saliva.
Baking soda can be mixed with another liquid to form a paste that can be applied to the surface of the teeth. For instance, if you mix baking soda with water to make a paste, you can leave the paste on for a few minutes and see a visibly whiter smile. If you use lemon juice instead of water, it only needs to be applied for one minute before rinsing it off.
Studies have found that baking soda and toothpaste with baking soda are more effective at removing plaque and stains from teeth than ones without baking soda as an ingredient. Additionally, the higher the concentration of baking soda, the whiter your teeth. But baking soda isn’t just effective for whitening teeth. Another added benefit is that its alkaline properties can inhibit bacteria growth in the mouth for both a whiter and healthier smile.
Apple Cider Vinegar
For hundreds of years, apple cider vinegar has been used as a disinfectant to rid the mouth of bad bacteria. But it has also been shown to do more than that. Apple cider vinegar can also bleach and whiten the teeth. But because of its strong acidity, it has also been known to erode the enamel of the teeth. Therefore, it is not recommended for everyday use. When using apple cider vinegar to whiten teeth, only use it occasionally. Mix it with water, swish it around, spit it out, and then rinse again with water afterward.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Much like apple cider vinegar, hydrogen peroxide can whiten, but it should be used carefully and only in small doses. Using a strong concentration can irritate gums, lead to tooth staining, or cause tooth sensitivity. But highly diluted hydrogen peroxide can work wonders at whitening your teeth. A 1.5% to 3% solution is recommended for best results.
These home remedies can whiten teeth in no time, but for the most effective and long-lasting results, you will want to talk to your dentist about professional teeth whitening procedures.
FAQs
For your benefit, we've provided you with seven different ways to naturally whiten your teeth.
- Eat Strawberries. ...
- Eat Plenty of Fruits and Vegetables. ...
- Brush After You Eat or Drink. ...
- Rinse with Apple Cider Vinegar. ...
- Apply Coconut Oil. ...
- Brush Your Tongue. ...
- Use Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide.
Brush a thin, even layer of whitening serum to clean, dry teeth and allow a few seconds for it to dry. Go to sleep (4-6 hours is recommended for best whitening results) and brush your teeth when you wake up to remove the whitening serum. Then, admire your smile!
Can you get your teeth whitened in a day? ›
With treatment in-practice, your dentist will carry out the whitening for you, and you'll see results in about two hours.
How can I make my teeth 100% white? ›
Intrinsic whitening: Intrinsic whitening is a process that uses a bleaching agent (carbamide peroxide) to change the color of the enamel of your teeth.
- Use whitening toothpaste. ...
- Switch to an electric toothbrush. ...
- Get a professional tooth whitening treatment. ...
- Get a custom whitening gel tray. ...
- Apply whitening strips.
For most people, Zoom! laser teeth whitening is the safest, quickest, and most effective option among the types of teeth-whitening treatments available.
How to whiten teeth in 2 minutes? ›
Baking-powder eliminates stains on the surface of your teeth and lemon juice as we already said has multiple components that lighten teeth. Just mix a teaspoon of baking powder and a teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice and brush your teeth with the paste this mixture will work wonders in just two minutes.
How to get white teeth in 1 day with baking soda? ›
To try this method, mix 2 parts of baking soda with 1 part of 1% to 3% hydrogen peroxide to form a paste. Brush your teeth with the mixture for 1 to 2 minutes, then rinse with water. Make sure you use hydrogen peroxide with a concentration of 3% or less.
What is the fastest home remedy to whiten your teeth? ›
For optimal whitening, a person can try brushing with a mix of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide for 1–2 minutes twice a day for a week. They should only do this occasionally. Hydrogen peroxide may increase tooth sensitivity, so it is not suitable for long-term use or for people who already have sensitive teeth.
Can salt whiten teeth? ›
Since salt and baking soda are abrasive they could remove stains from teeth, but that's like trying to lighten your floors by sanding them down, said Messina, who is also a spokesperson for the American Dental Association.
What whitens teeth in one day? ›
A mixture of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide has been proven to work in some cases for instant results in a pinch. Combine two tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide with one tablespoon of baking soda. Mix it until it becomes a paste and use it to brush your teeth.
As the baking soda only removes stains from the surface level of the teeth and not the enamel it can be passable at removing light stains such as coffee and food, but you might not notice a big difference for four to six weeks.
How do you make homemade teeth whitening? ›
Pinterest Tip: Mix 3 teaspoons of baking soda with 2 teaspoons of lemon juice. Use a Q-tip or cotton ball and gently swab teeth. After 30 seconds, rinse and brush teeth.
How can I look whiter in one day? ›
Turmeric. Mix turmeric, honey, and milk to make your complexion glow. Stir 0.25 tsp (1.2 g) of turmeric, 1 tsp (4.9 mL) of honey and 1 tsp (4.9 mL) of milk into a paste. Rub it onto your skin and let it sit for 25 minutes before rinsing it off with clean water.
How fast can I whiten my teeth? ›
The UV light is said to activate the peroxide and expedite the whitening process. If you use this every day, you can see results within 10-14 days. Whitening toothpaste contains enzymes that eliminate stains while brushing your teeth. If you do this twice a day, results can range anywhere from two to six weeks.
Can old yellow teeth be whitened? ›
It's natural for teeth to appear darker as they age, but a bleaching product with hydrogen peroxide or urea peroxide can help turn back the clock – and a whitening toothpaste is an easy way to get a jump-start.
