Ways to Get Whiter Teeth

Get white bright teeth and give yourself something to smile about

If you've toyed with the idea of whitening your teeth but haven't actually done the deed, consider this: "Since teeth naturally yellow as we age, whitening them will automatically make you look younger," says Kim Harms, D.D.S., a practicing dentist and a spokesperson for the American Dental Association. What's more, a 2008 Columbia University study found that women with healthier-looking teeth earn more than those with less sparkling grins. Do you need any more reasons to get whiter teeth?
How whiteners work
All bleaching methods use peroxide--whether in gel, strip, or liquid form--to dissolve surface stains to whiten teeth, explains Debra Glassman, D.D.S., a cosmetic dentist in New York City. Teeth surfaces are made up of thousands of tiny dentinal tubules--hollow structures stacked horizontally, like thin straws. They're extremely porous and ab­sorb pigments from food and drink. (Anything that can stain a white T-shirt can discolor your teeth, Glassman says.) Peroxide bubbles into the tubules and lightens those pigments.

Before you bleach
A first-timer should always consult her dentist before trying any tooth whitener, even an over-the-counter product, because not all teeth react to whitening the same way. Some types of dental work (like caps, crowns, and veneers) don't take to lightening because peroxide can't penetrate them. Stains caused by antibiotics, like tetracycline, are also tricky, because they can occur in the layers inside the tooth, which brighteners can't reach. Your dentist will be able to advise you about the best method for you.

If you go to a pro
The whitening agents dentists use are up to three times more powerful than at-home versions, so you'll see results faster than if you go solo. If you're looking for a dramatic, fast solution, consider power whitening: First, a protective rubber guard or barrier gel is placed over your gums to help avoid possible sensitivity to peroxide. Then the teeth are coated with a bleaching agent and a light is aimed at them to activate the ingredients. The procedure takes about an hour, and costs $500 to $700.
A cheaper (but slower) option: Your dentist can custom-fit you with plastic dental trays, kind of like retainers, which you fill with a peroxide gel and wear at home. You could see brighter teeth within a few days, though some people need up to four weeks to see results. Oh yeah, and it'll cost you $250 to $400.
No-tech tricks
If you'd rather pass on the peroxide, check out these other options to whiten your smile
Bring on the baking soda
The refrigerator deodorizer also removes discoloration on your teeth. The abrasive particles polish the surface while a chemical reaction between baking soda and water lightens stains, says Jonathan B. Levine, a cosmetic dentist in New York City. (Warning: You can damage your enamel with the scrubbing, so don't do it more than once a week.) Just dip your toothbrush in the soda, or simply switch to a toothpaste that contains baking soda.
Feel the crunch
"Foods that are high in cellulose--a strong starchlike compound found in celery, carrots, and apples--act as natural abrasives, cleansing teeth and removing surface stains naturally," says Jeff Golub-Evans, D.D.S., a cosmetic dentist in New York City. And greens such as spinach, broccoli, and lettuce contain mineral compounds that form a film over the teeth, so pigments from other foods can't stain.
Be a little shady
Want to make your teeth look fashionably white--without the work? "Stick with blue-based red and pink lipsticks or clothes in dark colors," says Pia Lieb, D.D.S., a cosmetic dentist in New York City. Warm colors (yellow, orange, brown, warm shades of red) worn close to your mouth will only bring out the yellow in your teeth.

Lets be careful about Dental Issue

One thing I've had to battle with since I was really young is my gums. I wont get into way too much details but lets just say they are not the strongest. When my dentist told me that a few years back I had terrible nightmares of my teeth falling out before I was 30. This was all made up in my head because the dentist had said nothing remotely close to it. He only asked me to be extra thorough with teeth cleaning and maintainance.

 

Since teeth is a topic close to my heart ( or is it mouth ?) I decided to share these tips on Dental Hygiene by Dr. Jeff Golub-Evans with y'all ! Hopefully we can all take away something from this.

TRUST YOUR TOOTHPASTE.

Opt for a toothpaste with the ADA seal. This seal guarantees that the toothpaste will help stave off tooth decay and gum disease.

FOCUS ON FLOSSING.

Dental floss is great for removing tiny food particles and plaque between teeth, where bristles can’t reach. Floss daily, but always immediately after meals that involve sticky foods.

REACH FOR THE RINSE.

Antimicrobial mouth rinses can help reduce bacteria in the mouth, while also working to fight gum disease. Look for the non-alcohol variety, as alcohol can actually dry out the gums, causing irritation. Alcohol also deposits pigment onto teeth, which can inhibit the whitening process.

CLEAN IN BETWEEN.

If you’re on the go without a breath mint or mouth wash, swish water around in your mouth for 30 seconds; even this minor effort helps remove bacteria from the mouth, while helping to ward off stains until your next brushing.

GUILTLESS INDULGENCE.

Chocolate may keep cavities at bay: While chocolate does contain sugar, it also contains good-for-you ingredients that help prevent tooth decay. In fact, the cocoa bean husk has an anti-bacterial effect on the mouth and can fight effectively against plaque and other damaging agents.

Who Has Been Good All Along ?

Have you been doing all this ? I haven't . Not exactly.


I use a mouth wash with alcohol. I have tried non alcoholic ones in the past and love not having to feel the burn but without the burn I feel like its not working. I am willing to go back to non alcoholic ones. Something about depositing pigment on my teeth is scaring the hell out of me. May be coz my mouth wash is purple in color.


Also I haven't been eating any cocoa bean husks. And I don't like white chocolate. But what do is I carry sugar free minty chewing gum with me all the time. I buy it in bulk and stash it everywhere and in every bag. And I carry water with me at all times. Apart from just drinking water for good health, it also helps with the teeth !

Best Teeth Whitening Tips

“Model Methods For A Brighter Smile”

Models know that the best teeth whitening methods can make a major difference in their smile. A beautiful smile is engaging and by using the right products you can enhance what mother nature has already given you, too. There are some easy ways to give a gorgeous gleam to your teeth. Withmakeup tips and professional treatments there are ways to get the look you want.

How To Get A White Smile

The best teeth whitening is prevention. If you drink coffee or tea then you know that it stains your teeth. While it might not be possible to prevent the staining, you can lessen the effects: 

Have regular dental cleaning performed and use a toothpaste which is designed to remove stains.

Use an at home kit for your teeth. These usually consist of:

Teeth Whitening Strips

Teeth Whitening Trays

Teeth Whitening Gels

Professionals can give you a gorgeous smile using the newest dental treatments.

“Models use the best teeth whitening methods!”

Professional Teeth Whitening

If you already have teeth that are stained then trying to find the best teeth whitening system for you becomes more involved. That’s because you aren’t just removing light stains – you are trying to correct a dental problem. That’s where consulting a professional comes in.

You might be wondering what a professional can do for you. The answer is that they can put together a system for you that will work long term. Think of it as a process. Your dentist will examine the general health of your teeth and take into account any habits you might have that will lead to staining.

It might be that starting off with a professional cleaning and treatments to lighten your teeth will give you a head start. After that your dentist might suggest that you continue with one of the best teeth whitening over the counter products. Then, after a certain time period you might have your teeth re-evalulated.

Makeup Tips For Whiter Teeth

While you are undergoing procedures to give you whiter teeth you can also use makeup to give the illusion of a brighter smile. There are lipstick colors that are specially formulated to play color against color and give you the appearance of a smile that’s whiter.

The lipsticks are usually blue based rather than warm. You might be wondering if they really work. Yes, they give a good visual effect, but remember that what you are doing is creating an illusion. It’s not a substitute for good dental care.

To find the best teeth whitening for you consult with a dental professional. Then, take advantage of the cost savings by maintaining your look with an over the counter teeth whitening product. Finally, give your look a boost by using a lipstick shade that will make your smile look whiter.

How to make teeth white naturally

It's that time of year again: You have to remain photo-ready from the first holiday party to the ringing of the New Year. Whitening your smile is imperative, but finding the time for a dentist visit isn't always in the cards. And sometimes, you don't want to apply a cocktail of chemicals to your teeth to make your pearly whites a little brighter. Luckily, you don't have to—just try these simple DIY alternatives.  

1. Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda Paste
"Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide are among the oldest at-home teeth whitening remedies," says Keith Arbeitman, a dentist at New York-based Arbeitman and Shein. "People have found real results from rinsing with diluted hydrogen peroxide for a few seconds."

He also recommends mixing baking soda and hydrogen peroxide into a paste and using it in lieu of a traditional toothpaste. Simply add a few drops of three percent hydrogen peroxide to plain baking soda and mix it until it forms a paste—then apply it to your tooth brush as normal.

This shouldn't become your go-to paste, though, says dentist Gerry Curatola, of New York-basedRejuvenation Dentistry. Because both ingredients are abrasive, he recommends using this home remedy for three to five days and then waiting three to six months before trying it again.

2. Strawberry Paste
"Strawberries contain malic acid, which is great for dissolving coffee, red wine, and tea stains on teeth," says Curatola.

Mash up one or two strawberries, and add about a teaspoon of baking soda. "Using a children's toothbrush [this helps to get between teeth better], rub this mix on your teeth for five to seven minutes. [After rinsing], floss out any strawberry seeds that still may be lingering between teeth."

Again, when used too often, the acid in the paste can cause teeth to erode and "ultimately making them more susceptible to staining," says dentist Angelika Shein, of Arbeitman and Shein—so don't use this remedy every day.

3. Banana Rub
"You can use the inside of a banana peel, which is rich in potassium, magnesium, manganese, and other minerals, to whiten teeth," says Curatola. "The rich minerals in a banana are absorbed into your enamel and have healthy whitening effects." After you brush and floss, he recommends peeling a ripe banana and then rubbing a piece of the inside on your teeth for two minutes.

 "Then rinse and repeat again before bed."

4. Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse
Curatola says that diluted apple cider vinegar helps any toothpaste "crank up its stain-busting power." He recommends diluting it with a ratio of three parts water to one part apple cider vinegar. Then mix it with an all-natural toothpaste and brush as usual.

5. Coconut Oil Paste
Oil pulling has been a huge trend, thanks to A-list celebs who do it, like Gywneth Paltrow and Shailene Woodley. "Coconut oil contains fatty acids that are broken down into teeth whitening enzymes when they come in contact with human saliva," says Wayne Perry, CEO and lead product developer for Greensations, a brand that exclusively sells all-natural beauty products. "The combination of your own saliva and these fatty acids produce an oxygen molecule that bonds to the stains on teeth. This oxidized free radical creates a chemical reaction that removes stains upon brushing and rinsing." 

But swishing oil in your mouth for 20 minutes isn’t for everyone. Perry offers a simple coconut oil paste recipe instead: First, heat one cup of coconut oil until it turns to a liquid. Then add two teaspoons of baking soda and five to 10 drops of natural spearmint essential oil into the liquid and mix. "The spearmint is for flavoring and to add antimicrobial benefits for healthy gums."

6. Charcoal Paste
Activated charcoal is one of the newest buzz terms because of its detoxifying benefits. Turns out, it’s also a great DIY whitening solution, says Joseph Banker of Westfield, a dentist at New Jersey'sCreative Dental Care. He explains that the granules are very porous, binding bacteria before it stains the teeth. 

“Mix charcoal with a small amount of water, and gently apply it to all the surfaces of the teeth," he says. "Leave the activated charcoal in place for two minutes, and then rinse with water until all of the charcoal is gone.”