3 Natural Home Remedies To Whiten Your Teeth

Dentist Blog

White teeth are not reserved solely for celebrities. There are many ways that people can improve the color of their teeth. Some applications can be purchased over-the-counter in whitening kits, but other applications can be made at home. Here are a few natural home remedies to whiten your teeth:

Baking Soda

Baking soda, which is a white powder with an alkaline pH, can help whiten the teeth. It is slightly abrasive in texture, and the alkaline nature of the powder can help neutralize acid that may form in the mouth. As baking soda polishes away dental stains, it also eliminates the acid that can cause darkening decay.

To use baking soda to whiten the teeth, mix the powder with a bit of water or to form a loose paste. Apply the paste directly to the bristles of a toothbrush and brush your teeth as you would with a conventional toothpaste. Still, it is wise to use mild to moderate pressure during the application. Too much pressure paired with an abrasive substance can be erosive to the tooth enamel.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide can also whiten the teeth. The liquid can be mixed with an equal amount of water to be prepared as a mouth rinse.

Peroxide releases oxygen when it is placed in the mouth. These tiny bubbles of oxygen kill anaerobic bacteria and bleach away discoloration that may be trapped in the pores of the teeth.

Hydrogen peroxide is usually available over the counter in a concentration of three percent. However, if the liquid is not properly diluted, it may irritate sensitive soft tissues within the mouth.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil can also whiten the teeth as a toothpaste or as an oil pulling mechanism. As a toothpaste, coconut oil can be apply to a toothbrush and brushed onto the teeth. The oil, which has bacteria-killing properties and is anti-inflammatory, can help promote a healthy mouth by eliminating some of the microbes in the oral cavity and by soothing irritated gums. The oil also helps dilute oil-based discolorations.

When used in oil pulling, the coconut oil remains in the mouth for about 20 minutes as it is swished about. During that period, coconut oil helps collect and trap oral bacteria. In addition, the lengthy access of the oil to the pores of the teeth helps dislodge stains that would normally be left in place after a simple brushing session.

For more information, contact Advanced Family Dental Care LLC or a similar location.

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20 April 2016

Emergency Dental Care

The average dentist takes many client appointments each day and also deals with emergency situations on a regular basis. Dental emergencies are very common because people are likely to put off having tooth pain fixed until the pain becomes unbearable. Some people have anxiety about dental visits, and others are trying to avoid the expense of dental care. In either case, the end result is often a dental emergency. I have worked as a professional dental hygienist for many years and have seen all types of dental emergencies. I hope that this blog will help people identify potential emergencies before they become too serious and will allow people to know when to get help.