A radiant white smile significantly boosts your confidence and self-esteem. Having the perfect set of teeth can complement your beauty and enhance your overall appearance.
But not everyone has the gift of shiny, white teeth. Discoloration and stains are common problems that can take away your sparkling smile.
If you are unhappy with the hue of your teeth, we will walk you through the steps to getting pearly white teeth.
Read on to learn more about how to get white teeth and their benefits and importance!
What Are the Different Types of Teeth Colors?
According to dental experts, there are four major types of teeth colors. The reddish brown is the most popular and natural tooth shade. The other color combinations of teeth are grayish red, yellowish brown, and grayish white. However, celebrities flaunt their pearly white teeth, making you conscious and shy about your smile.
Multiple reasons could cause your teeth to lose the white luster and end up stained. So, before jumping onto the bandwagon of teeth whitening, let’s look at the causes of changes in teeth color.
Causes of Teeth Color Changes
Poor oral hygiene can lead to yellow plaque buildup on your teeth, masking the natural color and imparting a pale outlook.
There are three major causes of tooth color change, i.e., aging, intrinsic staining, and extrinsic staining.
As you age, the outer white layer of your teeth (enamel) erodes, exposing the yellow dentin layer underneath.
Intrinsic staining refers to stains that develop within the inner layer of the tooth’s structure. Too much fluoride in the water (fluorosis) or injury or trauma to the tooth can discolor it. At a young age, medication use (such as tetracycline) can leave blue-gray stains in the tooth structure.
Extrinsic staining is cosmetic and the result of food stains adhering to the tooth surface. Foods most commonly causing staining include coffee, tea, red wine, and soda drinks. Chocolate can also superficially discolor your teeth and deprive you of their natural whiteness.
Besides food and beverages, cigarette smoking also results in unsightly and stubborn stains.
How To Get White Teeth?
You can get rid of extrinsic stains by getting scaling done. Scaling removes food stains, plaque, and tartar from your teeth, allowing them to return to their natural color. However, scaling does not change the color of the teeth; it just brings them to their original form.
Dental teeth whitening procedures are normal nowadays. So, how can you make your teeth appear whiter?
The safest way to achieve it is with the help of a qualified dentist. In-office teeth whitening procedures are a productive and preferred method to get whiter teeth.
Individuals intending to save the hassle of visiting a dentist or saving money can also try at-home bleaching kits. However, it is essential to note that at-home whitening kits are convenient but will not provide superior results compared to a professional teeth whitening procedure.
The successive paragraphs will discuss the various prevalent teeth whitening procedures and the benefits of having white teeth.
In-Office Bleaching Procedures
Dental teeth whitening procedures are quick and provide instant results. Dentists use potent concentrations of bleaching agents such as hydrogen peroxide in a safe environment to change the color of your teeth. Most dentists offer a shade guide to compare and estimate results.
UV light or heat is applied to the bleaching agent to activate it. The procedure usually takes 30 minutes to 1 hour. So, you can get a noticeable change in your smile within a few minutes.
Advanced dental operatories now offer the Zoom in-office teeth whitening system. In this procedure, a Zoom chairside lamp acts as a catalyst to speed up the whitening process. Thus, the results are better and more efficient.
At-Home Whitening Kits
According to a survey, American adults spend around $1.5 billion purchasing at-home whitening kits. So, if you wish to have whiter teeth from the comfort of your home, you are not alone.
Home bleaching kits in three common forms, i.e., bleaching strips, specialized trays (with bleaching agents), and bleaching paints/rinses. Studies show that whitening strips have more significant effects than whitening rinses.
At-home bleaching kits are effective in altering the tooth color, but you must be very careful in applying them. Check for the right concentration of bleaching gel and consult a professional if you have a peroxide allergy.
The most significant advantage of buying at-home kits is that it is the least expensive and most convenient esthetic procedure.
You can also take help from dentist-supervised night-guard bleaching. Modern research shows that in-office bleaching is similar to home bleaching treatments, but dentist bleaching has a greater color rebound.
Natural Remedies
Regularly brushing teeth and flossing will keep stains, plaque, and calculus at bay. So, brushing is the first defense against teeth discoloration and the simplest way to retain your tooth color.
You can ensure white and bright teeth by following some simple home remedies that are safe and effective at the same time. Some of these strategies are based on personal user experiences and are not medically proven!
Brush With Baking Soda
Though baking soda is an active ingredient in most commercial toothpaste, brushing with pure baking soda can help keep stains away. This mild abrasive scrubs away any stains from the tooth surface. Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) has good abrasive and bactericidal properties.
Prepare Your Whitening Paste
You can make your whitening paste containing hydrogen peroxide (a bleaching agent) and baking soda (an abrasive). To make a whitening toothpaste, mix two tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide with one tablespoon of baking soda.
A 2017 study reveals that baking soda-bleaching agent-based pastes are great for tooth stain removal and whitening of teeth.
Use Activated Charcoal
You can also get capsules of activated charcoal and put their contents on the toothbrush. Just be careful while using it, as it is a powerful abrasive which may injure your gingiva.
Modify Your Dietary Habits
Eating fruits rich in vitamin C can enhance resistance to plaque deposition and improve periodontal health. Fruits like strawberries and pineapple can increase plasma vitamin C levels and consequently reduce the yellowing of teeth.
To prevent losing the natural white shade of your teeth, you should limit the usage of staining beverages and foods such as coffee, tea, soda drinks, and red wine.
Benefits of Having White Teeth
Below is a list of the advantages of having white teeth:
- Whiter teeth significantly enhance your appearance.
- It boosts your self-confidence and self-esteem.
- Another advantage is that it covers your facial flaws. Everybody will notice your white teeth, which can compensate for your facial wrinkles.
- Thanks to affordable home-based bleaching kits, teeth whitening is an inexpensive cosmetic procedure.
- You may appear more friendly.
- It provides a more positive perspective on life.
