“One of the main benefits of a toothpaste is that you’re getting at least two daily applications of fluoride to the teeth.” Oil pullingĪ traditional Indian practice, oil pulling can be time-consuming and may not offer the kind of results you’re hoping for. “What you want to make sure of with any of these toothpastes is that you’re still getting fluoride,” she says. Clemons says that toothpaste made with baking soda is more effective in removing stains than several other kinds of toothpaste. “If you compare it to other whitening toothpaste, it doesn’t have that same grit, so it’s a bit gentler on the teeth.” “What’s nice about baking soda is that it’s actually less abrasive than a lot of other ingredients,” she says. Clemons suggests looking for dental products that contain baking soda. The faithful pantry ingredient has many uses, including whitening teeth. “Something like a gel or a strip that’s held on the tooth for a longer period of time will have better results than toothpaste or mouthwash.” Baking soda “What gives you a good outcome is how much contact time the peroxide has with the tooth,” she says. Just be sure to follow directions and don’t use longer than indicated. Rather than using pure hydrogen peroxide at home (which isn’t recommended), Clemons says using a gel or whitening strips will give you safe and effective results. “Look for something that’s formulated specifically for dental use because you’re going to have a more controlled percentage of it.” “Concentrations can vary a lot,” says Dr. Hydrogen peroxide is typically safe to use when it’s found in products like mouthwash and toothpaste, but pay attention to how much is used. “Bleaching is really what will change those intrinsic stains.” “Bleaching is really more specific to changing the perception of whiteness within the tooth,” says Dr. You may experience tooth sensitivity and gum inflammation. Bleaching is a chemical process that uses the oxidative chemical to break down color-causing molecules and change or remove those bonds. Hydrogen peroxide, which is a natural bleaching agent, can be used to whiten teeth. If you want to whiten your teeth, here are a few popular at-home treatments. “One thing that happens with aging is that the outer surface of the tooth, the white enamel, becomes thinner and the dentin, which is underneath, is yellow,” says Dr. Sometimes this can happen due to genetic disorders or medications you may have taken as a child. Intrinsic stains are a result of the tooth itself being discolored, either the enamel or the dentin. These types of stains are caused by things like red wine, tea, coffee and smoking. Most at-home products treat extrinsic stains - discolorations on the outside of your teeth. “You may experience sensitivity or gum irritation.”Īlso, it’s important to understand what kind of stains you may have. “Most of the effects are temporary,” she says. Clemons warns that some treatments come with side effects. Yes, there are a handful of methods that may make your teeth appear whiter. With an array of new products and at-home remedies to keep those pearly whites top-notch, we turn to dentist Anne Clemons, DMD, for what treatments are safe to try at home. More than 37 million Americans used teeth whiteners in 2020. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center.

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