How To Make Your Teeth Whiter

Image Source

We all crave a nice white smile, yet over time as we age our teeth are subject to a process of wear and tear.  In this sense, we often find ourselves with teeth that go from being bright white to a more dull yellow colour.  Additionally, as a result of the wear and tear caused by plaque, we find ourselves having dental work such as fillings and root canal treatment that create a less than perfect smile - particularly if the filling is metallic rather than white.

Similarly, our smile is subject to orthodontic issues such as tooth overcrowding and crooked teeth, which if not sorted out as a teenager through the use of a remedial orthodontic brace, for instance, our confidence can be affected in later life.

The reason we all crave the “perfect smile” is because our teeth are so prominent in terms of our communication with others - it’s where people look to, in addition to your eyes, to communicate with you.  The inference a less than perfect smile makes is not a positive one,

and unfortunately, in such a vanity driven and materialistic culture, we do judge people based on their looks.

​Furthermore, if you don’t have good dental hygiene in the form of halitosis (bad breath) this can be very off putting to those around you, and no matter how charismatic you might be, as a person, your message is unlikely to be received as well as you would like due to the odour associated with bad breath.

It’s therefore not just important to make your teeth white, but to make your mouth healthier, as all aspects of dental hygiene are important when it comes to making a good impression - this is why it’s so important to brush your teeth twice a day and use mouthwash.

Of course, if the damage is already done, there are cosmetic options to restore or create a perfect smile, such as those offered by Trilliant Dentistry, but as with most things in life, prevention tends to be better than cure.

In this article, we look at three ways to naturally make your teeth whiter:

OIL PULLING
Oil pulling with oil such as coconut or jojoba might be a new trend to the west, but oil pulling has been used as a traditional remedy in Eastern cultures for centuries; not only to make teeth whiter and healthier but to improve overall health.
This practice is known to remove bacteria from the mouth, and particularly, in between the teeth (which is where it’s most difficult to reach via conventional brushing and flossing) and it’s this bacteria that turns into plaque and turns teeth yellow.

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
Apple cider vinegar is a natural disinfectant with the active ingredient, acetic acid, which is what kills the bacteria within your mouth.  It’s best to use this as a mouthwash a few times a week, rather than everyday, as the acetic acid could erode enamel if you use it too frequently.

HYDROGEN PEROXIDE
People have been using hydrogen peroxide to disinfect wounds for many centuries, and when it comes to your teeth, it’s a natural bleaching agent that also kills bacteria.
Many studies have shown the efficacy of using a toothpaste containing hydrogen peroxide to create whiter teeth, yet it can also be used as a mouthwash with a 1.5 - 3% solution mixed with water.

---

By Iconic Chica Mag Contributors