Multiple factors contribute to the yellowing and discoloration of teeth.
Tobacco use, food, drinks and advanced age each play a supporting role in the development of discoloration.
Many people wonder how to whiten teeth to achieve a brighter and more brilliant smile.
Surface stains are easier to control, and deep stains may need the assistance of a dentist.
There are several products and old-fashioned remedies to perk up your smile.
Old-fashioned DIY Teeth Whitening Abrasives can brush away surface stains.
That's why many people prefer the old-fashioned, and inexpensive, baking soda method.
Simply wet your toothbrush with fresh, clean water and dip it into baking soda.
Make sure the surface of the brush is coated and gently brush your teeth.
You can use this remedy once a day until you see improvement.
Three-percent hydrogen peroxide solution is another vintage DIY teeth whitening approach.
The solution has a bleaching property and is used in many tooth pastes.
The water-peroxide solution should be diluted as follows: one part water for every one part hydrogen peroxide.
You can take the solution into your mouth, as if you are going to gargle, and gently brush your teeth.
Do not swallow the solution, as hydrogen peroxide can have serious side effects.
Over-the-Counter DIY Teeth Whitening If you've ever wondered how to whiten teeth with over-the-counter (OTC) products, you may be surprised at the simplicity of the process.
There are several OTC products for the DIY teeth whitening process.
Tooth-whitening kits can assist you with removing deeper stains that home remedies cannot.
Most kits contain bleaching agents that are rubbed onto the teeth using a brush.
Some offer a mold that is worn for at least half an hour.
Tooth-whitening strips are a simpler process and must be work for a prescribed time each day.
You simply place the strip across the teeth during your morning routine.
Results can appear in one week and may last one year.
Many toothpastes claim to whiten your teeth.
One of the benefits of whitening toothpastes is that they do not change the natural color of your teeth.
The bleaching agents or chemicals in whitening toothpastes work better for surface stains.
Read the packaging to determine how long you should use toothpastes before you see results.
There are multiple reasons tooth discoloration sets in.
Disease, medication and genetics can cause your pearly white teeth to yellow over time.
Old-fashioned remedies and OTC products can help with surface stains; however, deeper stains, or stained veneers, should be assessed by a dentist.