4 Ways To Improve The Whiteness Of Your Teeth

Tooth discoloration can occur when your tooth enamel becomes stained by the food or drink that you consume. For instance, coffee, tea and berries are known to discolor teeth. Tobacco can also cause yellowing. In addition, discoloration can be caused by medications, such as tetracycline, or congenital defects.

Still, regardless of the nature of your discoloration, there are still ways to improve the whiteness of your teeth. Here are a few:

Over-the-counter Teeth-bleaching Kits

Nowadays, inexpensive tooth-whitening kits can be sold over the counter. The kits bleach stains from the teeth using a peroxide-based gel or solution. The gel may be placed on the teeth using a whitening strip, mouth tray or brush.

It is best to allow the bleaching agent to remain on the teeth undiluted for the prescribed period. In addition, you should only use a whitening kit as directed. Improper use can result in heightened dental sensitivity. Nevertheless, most bleaching kits are safe as long as you follow the instructions. 

Professional Whitening

The safest teeth-bleaching option is performed by a dentist. The gels used during a professional application are designed not to penetrate the pores of your teeth too deeply, so they are less likely to cause chronic tooth sensitivity. In addition, the dentist may use a special light to enhance the teeth-bleaching action. Thus, your teeth may become much whiter than they would with an over-the-counter kit.   

Natural Substances

Some natural substances help whiten teeth. Here are two:

Milk

Not only does milk help keep your bones and teeth strong, it helps whiten your teeth. Milk provides calcium that can remineralize your teeth. When fluoride is present, calcium that is in your mouth is attracted back to your tooth enamel for a white, bright smile.

Baking Soda and Peroxide

Baking soda can be mixed with peroxide to form a paste that you can use to whiten your teeth. The baking soda serves as a gentle polishing agent, and the peroxide has bleaching abilities. 

Veneers

If the stains on your teeth are permanent, such as those from birth defects or medications, you can still enjoy white teeth. Dental veneers can be applied to hide the discoloration and make your teeth appear perfectly white and uniform. The veneers are thin slivers of white porcelain that are cemented to the front surface of your teeth.

If you would like to whiten your teeth, there are multiple options available. Consult a local dentist (such as George S Cochran DDS) to determine the most effective whitening options for your teeth.