Indications and contraindications for the procedure. The most effective ways to do teeth whitening at home, homemade toothpaste recipes. Results and real feedback on enamel lightening at home.
Home teeth whitening is a cosmetic procedure for lightening tooth enamel, removing grayness and yellowness, for which folk and improvised remedies and food are used. It is a cheap alternative to professional dental cleaning and is considered safer. Moreover, more often than not, one session is not enough to achieve the result. This article provides information on what are the indications and contraindications for teeth whitening at home, and also presents effective recipes for folk remedies.
Indications for home teeth whitening
Before you start choosing one or another method of teeth whitening, you need to find out the reasons for the appearance of their unsightly shade. It depends on this which method and which means will be the most effective.
Non-pathological discoloration of the enamel does not pose a health hazard and is considered a cosmetic defect. The need for teeth whitening depends on the desire and aesthetic preferences of the person.
Indications for teeth whitening with home remedies:
- The appearance of pigmentation due to exposure to certain foods and drinks, for example, coffee, black tea, alcoholic and carbonated drinks, as well as brightly colored juices, tomato and soy sauce, food that contains artificial colors.
- Plaque or plaque that creates an unnatural tint. It is noteworthy that in this case, whitening should be carried out by removing tartar with subsequent mineralization. For this purpose, you can use abrasive substances that remove layers, but do not damage the enamel.
- Age-related darkening.
- Enamel spotting due to chronic fluorosis disease.
- Change in shade after taking tetracycline.
- Congenital disorders in enamel staining.
Contraindications for whitening tooth enamel at home
Difficulties in carrying out the procedure and some limitations are associated with the presence of persistent dental plaque and concomitant diseases of the gums and mucous membranes in the mouth. Therefore, before doing teeth whitening at home, it is advisable to consult a dentist in order to exclude possible contraindications and, possibly, first treat existing diseases of the oral cavity.
List of contraindications for teeth whitening:
- Age under 16;
- Hypersensitivity;
- Caries at any stage, pulpitis, gingivitis and other dental diseases;
- Significant defects and damage to the enamel;
- The presence of any orthodontic structures, including braces and temporary teeth;
- Allergy to any of the ingredients used in homemade enamel whitening recipes.
Whitening toothpastes with abrasive particles are indicated for removing plaque, which creates an unsightly color. However, it is not recommended to use those methods of teeth whitening at home, which can damage the enamel.
You will have to temporarily abandon the procedure if you are being treated by an orthodontist. Neglecting this contraindication will lead to uneven teeth whitening.
As for the lightening of tooth enamel with the help of folk remedies in pregnant and lactating women, there is no reliable data on the harm.
Important! Regardless of the method of home teeth whitening, you should always exercise caution and moderation, since not all of them are safe and if you use the wrong approach, you can severely ruin your teeth.
Homemade toothpastes for enamel whitening
As a rule, dentists do not recommend using store-bought whitening pastes. they contain aggressive substances and do not have the best effect on the condition of the enamel. But to carry out teeth whitening at home, you can prepare a product yourself, choosing ingredients that will have the desired effect and will not harm you.
Toothpaste recipes for home enamel whitening:
- Baking soda and fine table salt are mixed, hydrogen peroxide is added. The resulting paste must be used a couple of times a day. The full whitening course is 14 days.
- 1 tsp baking soda mixed with 1 egg white, add a little mint and 1 tbsp. milk. This paste should be used in the morning and in the evening, while it is advisable to abandon the use of products that contain dyes.
- One calcium tablet must be ground until a powder is obtained, then mixed with salt and water - a very thick gruel should form. It is recommended to brush your teeth with the resulting paste (at least 3 minutes), but do not press hard on the enamel.
- To remove unpleasant plaque and brighten the color of the teeth, you need to mix white clay (70 g) with a small amount of water and an aqueous extract of propolis (5 drops) to get a pasty consistency. Then add honey (1 tsp), chamomile and sage essential oils (2 drops each). You can use such a toothpaste at home 3-4 times a week, the course of application is 2 weeks.
- On the basis of coconut oil, you can prepare a paste with activated charcoal. To do this, black tablets (4-6 pcs.) Must be crushed and mixed with an oily substance (1, 5 tablespoons). Then add liquid stevia (7 drops) and mint essential oil (5 drops) to the mixture. The resulting paste can be used in courses of 2 weeks, taking a monthly break. The effect will not be long in coming.
- Another homemade tooth whitening paste recipe includes coconut oil (3 tbsp), turmeric powder (1 tsp), baking soda (0.5 tsp), basil essential oil (4 drops), honey (0.5 tsp). All ingredients must be mixed until smooth. Such a remedy gently affects the enamel, freshens breath and improves the condition of the mucous membrane.
It is very easy to whiten enamel with lemon essential oil. A few drops of this product must be applied over any paste on the brush and thoroughly brush your teeth for 1 minute. In addition to performing the main function, this method will allow you to freshen your breath and improve the oral mucosa. The frequency of application is 2-3 times a week.
Simple iodine perfectly whitens teeth. You need to squeeze out one drop of the product for any toothpaste and apply this technique once a week. However, don't expect quick results.
Do not be surprised that no foam forms when using your own handmade toothpaste. This is due to the absence of special surfactants in the composition of the funds. They, of course, improve the consumer characteristics of store products, facilitating their distribution over the surface of the teeth, but at the same time they negatively affect the functioning of receptors and can cause painful stomatitis.
Note! As a preventive measure, you can periodically rub your teeth with salt, but only without much zeal. It is not recommended to apply this technique too often.
Folk remedies for whitening teeth at home
In the photo, home teeth whitening with activated carbon
In order to have healthy and beautiful teeth, of course, you should give up smoking and eating food that is dangerous for the enamel. However, if the smile no longer shines with whiteness, and unsightly plaque and foci of a gray or yellowish tint are visible in the root zone, it is worth taking control of the situation.
Further, the most effective home remedies for whitening teeth without harm, which can not only improve their appearance, but also restore health:
- Hydrogen peroxide … This medical antiseptic, when used carefully and thoughtfully, helps to achieve a snow-white smile. The active substance by oxidizing the pigmented dentin makes the enamel visually whiter. But the procedure requires special precautions to be taken to eliminate the negative effects of peroxide. It is very dangerous to use it in its pure form, therefore, experts suggest diluting a 3% solution with water in a ratio of 1 to 1 and rinsing the mouth with a product after normal cleaning. The agent is most effective when using compresses with long exposure. However, this method is associated with certain inconveniences - laborious fixation and increased salivation. Home teeth whitening with hydrogen peroxide can be done in short courses.
- Activated carbon … This widely available remedy has many beneficial properties. And, in addition to the medicinal effect on the body, it is able to gently whiten tooth enamel. Brushing your teeth with it allows you to normalize the acid balance in the oral cavity and reduce the negative effects of saliva. Home teeth whitening with activated charcoal also removes plaque and stains and eliminates bad breath. For use, the product can be simply grinded and diluted with a small amount of water. Even in this form, it will lead to noticeable results.
- Strawberry … This sweet and tasty berry contains valuable vitamin C, which helps to gently whiten tooth enamel. You need to take a couple of strawberries and mash them with a fork to get a pasty mass. Then teeth are simply rubbed with this gruel. It is enough to carry out this procedure several times a day, and after a couple of weeks the tooth enamel will brighten considerably. You can also use another method: strawberries (1 berry) are mixed with a small amount of baking soda (1/2 tsp). The resulting mixture is applied to the enamel for a couple of minutes, then you need to rinse the mouth and brush your teeth with a paste to remove the remains of the cleaning mixture.
- Baking soda … This is one of the best remedies to combat tooth enamel darkening. Mix baking soda (2 tablespoons) with cold water (1 cup). The resulting product is used to rinse the mouth several times a day. This mixture helps to quickly eliminate yellow spots. You can also use another recipe: just brush your teeth with baking soda several times during the week. However, it is strictly forbidden to use this whitening technique regularly, as there is a risk of severely damaging the enamel.
- Lemon … The fruit has a strong whitening effect. With fresh lemon peel, you can regularly wipe your teeth, rinse your mouth with fresh juice. Another method is also effective: a few drops of juice are mixed with a small amount of fine table salt, and the resulting paste is intensively rubbed not only into the teeth, but also the gums. The product should be left for a couple of minutes, then rinse the mouth with water. Using this technique every 2 days for several weeks helps to remove not only an ugly yellow tint, but also tartar.
- Wood ash … The product has been used for many years to whiten tooth enamel. To this end, you need to take the ash and sift it through a fine strainer to make a powder. Then it is diluted with sour milk - as a result, a pasty mass should be obtained, with which teeth are brushed several times a week. You can use activated carbon instead of wood ash.
- Apples … With their regular use, the teeth become much lighter, acquire a natural shine, and yellow spots are eliminated. It is enough just to eat fruits and chew them thoroughly, thanks to which coarse dietary fiber and acid remove stains from tooth enamel. Just like apples, you can use other foods that contain dietary fiber, such as broccoli, fresh cucumbers, and raw carrots.
- Orange peel … For regular brushing of your teeth, you need to use a fresh fruit rind. This method helps to eliminate the yellow tinge of the enamel - you need to rub your teeth thoroughly before going to bed. The orange peel contains calcium and vitamin C, which will resist the attack of microorganisms in the oral cavity throughout the night. After a few weeks, the first positive result will be noticeable: the enamel of the teeth will become much lighter, and the teeth will be strong and shiny. If it is not possible to use fresh orange peels, then orange peel powder is perfect.
- Margoza (him) … It is an excellent remedy for quick whitening of darkened tooth enamel. Margosa branches can be used as a toothbrush. It is recommended to add margose oil to a simple toothpaste, which has antiseptic and astringent properties, helps to remove bad breath.
- Basil … It has powerful whitening properties, so it is recommended to use it at home to brighten tooth enamel. At the same time, it still reliably protects the gums and teeth from inflammation. Take a couple of leaves of the plant and leave in the open sun for several hours. The dried leaves are ground to a powder, then mixed with any toothpaste. With this tool, you need to intensively brush your teeth. You can make another remedy from dried basil leaves: mix the powder with mustard oil and use the mixture to brush your teeth.
These funds are not only effective, but also as safe as possible, because they do not provide for an aggressive effect on enamel, do not contain hazardous chemicals, which cannot be said about most whitening pastes sold in stores.
Note! Regardless of which method is chosen for whitening teeth at home, you need to consult a doctor in advance, since not all techniques are safe and, if used incorrectly, can severely damage the enamel.
Home teeth whitening results
Unlike professional lightening, home methods are able to restore the natural shade of the enamel, but they cannot make a smile immaculately snow-white. The natural color of the teeth is milky white. Under the influence of many factors, for example, age, nutrition, genetic predisposition, etc., the shade changes and becomes far from ideal.
Fighting the ugly yellowish or grayish tinge of the teeth at home does not give immediate results. This is due to the fact that gentle means are usually used. On average, a visible color change can be obtained within 2-3 weeks.
To achieve a stable result, it is necessary to periodically repeat the whitening course. You can also alternate the means used. In this case, it is imperative to give up bad habits and the use of products that can stain teeth and thereby make all efforts useless.
Many people have very good reviews about home teeth whitening. This is especially true when the procedure uses healthy products and products. These include lemon, strawberries, various essential oils, and more. All of them not only have a whitening effect, but are also able to replenish the supply of nutrients, to sanitize the oral cavity, relieving some diseases of the teeth and gums.
Real reviews of teeth whitening at home
The problem of darkening teeth worries a large number of people. However, professional procedures are inaccessible for many because of the high cost and have a number of serious contraindications. That is why home methods and traditional medicine are very popular, which allow you to return a beautiful smile. They are not only available, but overwhelmingly safe. Here are some reviews about teeth whitening at home.
Faina, 37 years old
Personally, the soda did not suit me. I have very thin enamel, and this tool makes it even thinner, as if it were scratching. Lately I have been using lemon essential oil. The use of fresh fruits is less convenient for me. And so after cleaning with a regular paste, I apply a few drops directly to the brush, I clean for 2-3 minutes and do not rinse my mouth right away. Let it work a little. But here it is important to be guided by your own feelings. For some, the oil irritates the mucous membranes. And so, in addition to the fact that the teeth have become noticeably lighter, also the breath becomes cleaner. The feeling of cleanliness lasts longer.
Jeanne, 34 years old
For me, tea tree oil and activated carbon were the real find. Who would have thought, but these two remedies are incredibly effective in whitening teeth. I use them alternately with a break of 1-2 days. I am an avid smoker and coffee lover. And this is hell for the teeth. But with the help of these two helpers, plaque simply flies off the teeth. After cleaning, the surface is smooth and noticeably lighter. Tea tree oil is good at disinfecting and freshening the breath. If you are not allergic to it, then I advise you to definitely try it.
Ulyana, 46 years old
During my life I have tried many folk remedies for teeth whitening. Most of all I liked the effect of using calcium and homemade toothpaste made of white clay, propolis and chamomile essential oil. In the first case, you can crush a tablet of calcium gluconate and add a few drops of water or use the product in ampoules, then blot with cotton wool solution and apply it to your teeth for 15 minutes. A bit dreary, not very convenient, but the effect is noticeable. And in the second case, before making the toothpaste at home, you will have to thoroughly grind the propolis and then mix it with the rest of the ingredients. Such a remedy perfectly removes plaque from teeth, brightens the areas at the roots well and has a great effect on fresh breath and gum health.
How to whiten teeth at home - watch the video:
