Discoloured teeth and remedies to correct it – Teeth whitening : simple steps

“A smile is happiness you’ll find right under your nose “

Each of us love to smile because happiness is what we need in life. Being confident while smiling is yet another important aspect that leads to happiness. Most of us do have noticed that the color of our teeth has changed with time.

What causes teeth to look yellow?

Multiple factors cause teeth to become dull and lose their bright, white sparkle. Certain foods can stain your enamel, which is the outermost layer of your teeth. Additionally, plaque buildup on your teeth can cause them to look yellow. This type of discoloration can usually be treated with regular cleaning and whitening remedies. However, sometimes teeth look yellow because the hard enamel has eroded, revealing the dentin underneath. Dentin is a naturally yellow, a bony tissue that lies underneath the enamel.

So let’s start with simple yet effective home tips to whiten your teeth

1. Oil pulling / rinsing your mouth with oil

We Keralites, might have seen our grand parents using coconut oil for mild mouth sores by applying a bit on to it . A day with out coconut oil is something that we can’t think about / live without. Oil pulling is some thing which can be done either with coconut oil / sunflower oil .

Coconut oil will be the best choice as it contains Lauric acid which has the ability reduce inflammation and kills bacteria which helps maintaining plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation .

How to oil pull?

To oil pull, put 1 tablespoon of coconut oil in your mouth and push and pull the oil through your teeth. Rinse thoroughly with coconut oil even if u gulp a bit it’s fine . Spit out the rest after say 1-2 min and repeat it 3-4 times . This will help to reduce yellow tint on the teeth. Do it twice a week for better results .

2. Brush with Baking soda

Baking soda is a mild abrasive and has got whitening properties. It creates an alkaline environment in your mouth preventing bacterial growth. To use this remedy, mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda with 2 teaspoons of distilled water and brush your teeth with the paste. You can do this a 2-3 times a week.

3. Using hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is a natural bleaching agent and can kill bacteria. Concentration of 1.5% hydrogen peroxide is advisable. Hydrogen peroxide is available as 3% concentrations in the drug store which can be converted to 1.5% dilution by mixing it with equal quantity distilled water. Rinsing this solution after dilution can help to remove stains .

4. Having more of fruits in your diet

Crunchy raw fruits and veggies help to remove plaque accumulated on the tooth. Strawberries and pineapple are the two most claimed fruits helping whitening your teeth .

Strawberries help remove stains from the tooth as it contains malic acid which acts on stains on the teeth. For best results smash a piece of strawberry and mix it with baking soda , rub this mixture on the tooth . Rinse it after placing it for a min or two . Do it twice a week .

Pineapple contains bromelain an enzyme effective in removing stains . This too can be used as mentioned above in combination with baking soda .

5. Preventing tooth stains before it happens

Teeth gets yellow as you age as the normal wear of enamel exposes the dentine which is yellow underneath .

• Limit staining foods and beverages.
• Tea , Coffee , red wine, aerated drinks are famous for staining teeth.
• That doesn’t mean you have to completely avoid them, but you should limit the amount of time these substances are in contact with your teeth.
• If possible, drink beverages known to stain teeth out of a straw to prevent direct contact with your teeth.
• Moreover, brush your teeth soon after consuming one of these foods or beverages to limit their effects on the color of your teeth.
• Additionally, avoid smoking and chewing tobacco, as both can cause tooth discoloration.

6. Limiting sugar intake

A diet high in sugar supports the growth of Streptococcus mutants, the primary type of bacteria that causes plaque and gingivitis. When you consuming a sugary diet , be sure to brush your teeth soon after.

7. Increasing more on calcium intake in your diet

Some tooth discoloration is caused by enamel eroding and exposing the dentin underneath, which is yellow. Therefore, anything you do to strengthen the enamel of your teeth will help keep your teeth pearly white.

Calcium rich foods like milk, cheese , broccoli will help protect your teeth from enamel erosion