The Best At-Home Tricks for Whiter Teeth — Fast
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With bright, bold lipstick being such a big trend (and always a staple in our arsenal of looks), the matter of keeping our teeth as pearly white as possible is pretty important. Just about every lip color looks better when put against sparkly white teeth — not to mention the fact that yellowing teeth can be a bit of a confidence killer. Whitening can be a big investment, and even though it’s worth the outcome, we always prefer to DIY what we can (to save our money for more important things, like highlights).
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In an effort to help your smile shine as brightly as your personality, we’ve put together eight must-know tips for DIY teeth whitening below. Even better? They’re all approved by Kevin B. Sands, DDS, a cosmetic dentist in Beverly Hills, CA. Dr. Sands recommends brushing twice a day, ideally with an electric toothbrush. It’s a good start!
1. Don’t Skip Your Yearly Cleaning: As long as you brush twice a day (not too hard!), your yearly dental cleaning will help keep your teeth white — and healthy. “By eliminating oral bacteria and avoiding plaque development, regular brushing and flossing help keep your teeth sparkling white,” Dr. Sands said.
2. Floss Is Your BFF: We know. Flossing can be a pain. But it’s a huge part of keeping your teeth white because it gets rid of the stains in between the teeth. It helps keep cavities at bay, too!
3. Try Oil Pulling: “Oil pulling is a conventional treatment that has its roots in India and is intended to enhance oral hygiene and detoxify the body,” Dr. Sands said. “In order to get rid of bacteria that can form plaque and give your teeth a yellow appearance, the procedure entails swishing oil around in your mouth.” Coconut oil is a popular choice!
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4. Brush With Baking Soda: There’s a reason whitening toothpastes have baking soda as the main ingredient. “It works as a mild abrasive to remove surface stains from teeth,” Dr. Sands said. “Baking soda also produces an alkaline environment in your mouth that inhibits the growth of bacteria.”
5. Stick To Stain-Free Foods: Unfortunately, a lot of our faves can cause yellow teeth. That includes dark berries, soda, red wine, and coffee. Bummer! But don’t stress. “While you shouldn’t fully avoid them, you should reduce the amount of time that these substances are in touch with your teeth,” Dr. Sands said. “You can even use a straw.”
6. Try An At-Home Whitening Kit: If your teeth aren’t especially sensitive, Crest 3D White Professional Effects Teeth Whitening Kit ($45.99 at Amazon) works very well at whitening teeth without any mess. There are sensitive teeth-friendly options (like Crest 3D Whitestrips for Sensitive Teeth) but if you have a lot of pain with any at-home treatment, go see the dentist. There could be something bigger going on you don’t want to ignore.
7. If You Smoke, Stop: There are more dangerous side effects to smoking cigarettes than yellow teeth but it’s one of the more unsightly ones.
8. Use Hydrogen Peroxide: “An organic bleaching chemical known as hydrogen peroxide also destroys oral germs and helps in teeth whitening,” Dr. Sands said. “Using hydrogen peroxide in a rinse or a paste may help you whiten your teeth.”
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