If you suffer from yellow teeth, you’re not alone. Having discolored teeth can cause your confidence to take a dip, and some whitening products never seem to work fast enough! The good news is that you have options, whether those be whitening products or snap-on veneers.
In this post, we discuss professional and DIY ways to whiten teeth, as well as explain why snap-on veneers might be the quickest option for you.
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Ways to Whiten Teeth at Home
If you are a DIY kind of person or you prefer to keep everything natural, you can use these at-home remedies to whiten your teeth. You may even have some of these ingredients in your pantry or medicine cabinet. However, when in doubt make sure to consult with your dentist about the best treatment for your situation.
1. Snap-On Veneers
If you’re looking for an instant fix, snap-on veneers are the best and fastest option for you. Snap-on veneers clip on over your teeth, giving you a perfect, white smile as soon as they arrive. With Shiny Smile Veneers, you can get teeth in one of three shades, so you’re bound to find the perfect match.
You can easily order Shiny Smile snap-on veneers without having to see a dentist since you can do the impressions at home. Simply order online and receive your brand-new smile within three to five weeks or two to three weeks with express shipping for $150. A set of Shiny Smile veneers will cost $570 for both the upper and lower arches, and they should last about five years or longer, making it the perfect investment for you and your new, confident smile.
2. Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a natural bleaching agent, meaning it’s able to give you whiter teeth in a few minutes. It can be found in many commercial teeth-whitening products, like mouthwash, toothpaste, and whitening gel.
However, high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide cause enamel damage and gum irritation. It’s also unsafe to ingest hydrogen peroxide, and if you use a solution at home that is stronger than 3%, you could do significant damage to your teeth. As such, you may want to try a commercial whitening product or consult with your dentist before mixing your own solution.
If you want to DIY mouthwash, make sure to dilute the hydrogen peroxide. Mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide with equal parts water and swish it around in your mouth for 1 to 2 minutes. To make toothpaste, you can add baking soda to the hydrogen peroxide to create a paste, which you then use to brush your teeth.
Keep in mind that the results of using hydrogen peroxide can vary. Commercial mouthwash may whiten your teeth within four weeks, as it contains 1.5% hydrogen peroxide. So depending on the concentration you use, your results may take more or less time.
3. Baking Soda
Baking soda, often used in the kitchen, can also be used as a tooth cleaner and whitener. You will often see baking soda as an ingredient in most toothpaste, so its whitening properties have been tried and tested.
If you want to use baking soda, mix a teaspoon of baking soda with 2 teaspoons of water. Use the paste to brush your teeth as you usually would. You use this paste multiple times a week.
You should notice whitening after two weeks, but try not to use it too much. Baking soda can wear your tooth enamel down, so you should couple this treatment with brushing with regular toothpaste that has sodium fluoride in it.
Professional Teeth Whitening Treatments
The most reliable way to whiten your teeth would be to visit a dentist and get your teeth whitened professionally. To notice an impact, you’ll need to repeat treatments several times. If you choose to use professional whitening products, you should look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance on over-the-counter whitening products.
4. In-Office Whitening
There are plenty of whitening treatments you can use that contain high-concentration bleach gels which offer quick results.
Zoom WhiteSpeed can whiten your teeth by eight shades in 45 minutes. All that needs to be done is the application of a whitening gel, shining a blue LED lamp to let it dry, then using a post-treatment gel to protect your enamel. If you want the procedure done quicker, you can apply the gel without the lamp and then brush it off on your own at home. The at-home version is Zoom QuickPro.
Zoom whitening costs about $500 on average and could cost up to $650. You may need to repeat the treatments every year, so keep that budget in mind.
5. Take-Home Whitening Kits and Trays
Some dentists will give out at-home whitening kits that use a lower concentration peroxide gel, so these whitening trays can stay on overnight and be used at home. These kits usually cost $100 to $400, and they will need to be repeated every four to six months.
6. Over-the-Counter Products (Like Toothpaste and Whitening Strips)
Here are some over-the-counter products that you can use to whiten your teeth:
- Kits: Whitening kits are often take-home kits that give you a paste or some sort of gel to apply to your teeth. Once dried, you can brush it off and enjoy your new smile. While convenient, these are different and may not be as effective on surface stains and deeper stains as the kinds you would get from your dentist.
- Toothpaste: An over-the-counter whitening toothpaste contains higher concentrations of whitening agents like hydrogen peroxide, which can help tackle the discoloration in your teeth.
- Strips and gels: You can use strips and place them over your teeth, usually overnight. Once you peel them, you should see a brand-new white smile underneath over time.
- Rinses: Just like mouthwash, rinses can be used twice a day to keep your mouth feeling fresh, as well as to reduce the yellow on your teeth.
These products can cost between $10 and $100, so keep that in mind when shopping for a new, white smile.
At-Your-Own-Risk Whitening Options
The ADA does not recommend you try DIY teeth whitening methods, and your dentist will also tell you not to use them. You might see viral social media videos marketing certain techniques as natural whitening methods, but they can do more harm than good. These options can work away at your teeth’s enamel and cause tooth sensitivity and lead to cavities.
If you are genuinely uncomfortable with the color of your teeth, you should talk to your dentist or try another, safer option to get the white teeth you want.
7. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar can bleach your teeth, but by using it, you will run the risk of damaging your teeth’s enamel and run the risk of tooth decay — cavities — as the vinegar is acidic.
Some people brush their teeth with the vinegar or dilute it and use it as a rinse. With how risky this method is, we recommend that you avoid it.
8. Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal is made from wood, coconut shells, and other natural resources. You can find charcoal in supplements or some teeth products. Some people brush it on gently with their toothbrush or mix it with water to make a rinse.
However, charcoal could actually make your teeth look yellower. It wears down your enamel and exposes the yellow tissue underneath your enamel, called dentin. Since it is so abrasive and can stain your clothes easily, we suggest avoiding this option too.
What Causes Tooth Discoloration?
There are two types of tooth discoloration:
- Extrinsic discoloration: This begins on the surface of the teeth, and is usually caused by an outside factor, like lack of oral hygiene or eating a particular food.
- Intrinsic discoloration: This starts inside the tooth and affects the layer under the enamel, which causes the outside of your teeth to look yellow.
Here are some causes of extrinsic and intrinsic discoloration:
Most whitening products are designed to treat stains caused by extrinsic discoloration. Cosmetic dental options or procedures are used when the discoloration is intrinsic. You should talk to your dentist if you want to remove stains and ask which treatment is right for you based on your discoloration.
Get a Bright White Smile Today Without Side Effects
If you want your confidence back with a whiter smile, Shiny Smile Veneers is here to help with their snap-on veneers. Snap-on veneers won’t cause any side effects or wear down your enamel, and you won’t run the risk of damaging your teeth.
Snap-on veneers come with a bonus — they can cover up missing teeth! Along with a 15-month warranty, snap-on veneers can fix your smile far beyond what any other whitening product can. So find your whiter, brighter smile by ordering yours today.