It’s often the first thing you notice when you first meet someone. That bright smile. . . or not.
Tooth discoloration is very common and if you’re not taking measures to prevent and reverse it, your teeth will show. Teeth staining occurs for a variety of reasons and can turn your pearly whites a dull yellow. The good news though is that these stains can be prevented and also treated by natural teeth whitening methods.
The three types of teeth stains
There are three types of tooth discoloration: extrinsic, intrinsic, and age-related.
Extrinsic Teeth Stains: extrinsic teeth stains are discoloration that occurs on the outermost layer of the tooth. Common offenders causing these stains are coffee, tea, wine, and tobacco products. While these stains are on the surface, they are typically pretty deep-set and often do not respond easily to simple brushing.
Intrinsic Teeth Stains: intrinsic teeth stains are caused by discoloration of the inner layer of the tooth—the dentin. These stains are typically more permanent than extrinsic stains as they are more deeply embedded in the layers of the tooth. And even though they occur on the dentin, they can still turn your shiny white smile dull.
Age-Related Teeth Stains: As you age, your tooth enamel will wear down, causing the color of your teeth to fade. Age-related teeth stains are often a mix of extrinsic and intrinsic stains occurring as you age.
Five natural teeth whitening methods
- Brush and floss your teeth regularly
We know, we know. It’s basic, but while brushing and flossing your teeth may not always help rid you of current extrinsic or intrinsic stains, cleaning your teeth regularly can help prevent new discoloration and current stains from getting worse.
Brushing your teeth at least twice a day—morning and evening—will help remove food particles and rid your teeth of stain-causing foods and plaque. And cleaning between your teeth with floss once a day will also help rid your teeth of hard-to-reach plaque and food particles that can get lodged between your teeth. If you skip these basic dental hygiene steps, you’re not only at increased risk of your teeth staining, but you’re also at risk of getting a cavity or tooth infection.
And to keep your teeth cleaning all-natural, make sure you’re checking out the ingredients in your toothpaste. Pearl Oral Health’s toothpaste is a great toothpaste option—the ingredients are natural and high quality and will help keep your teeth healthy and bright.
- Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide
Baking soda has been found to be a natural whitening agent, which is why you’ll notice it as the main ingredient in many kinds of toothpaste and whitening strips. Its consistency is slightly abrasive which is helpful in cleaning tough, surface stains. It also helps to create an alkaline environment, which can prevent bacteria from growing.
Similarly, hydrogen peroxide is also useful in killing bacteria—it has been used for many years to disinfect wounds. It also has a natural bleaching ability, which is helpful in returning teeth to their original sheen.
Mixing baking soda and hydrogen peroxide together is a popular way to whiten teeth at home. You can simply mix 2 teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide with 1 teaspoon of baking soda to make an at-home whitening agent. Take the mixture and a soft toothbrush and brush your teeth like normal.
- Ozone Therapy and Tri-Ozonated Oil
Ozone therapy involves creating an oxygen-rich environment in your mouth so that bacteria cannot survive. A highly oxygenated body can destroy and keep disease at bay.
And how does that impact your teeth’ coloration?
Keeping your mouth clean and free of harmful bacteria is preventative as it helps prevent new stains from occurring. Introducing ozone into the mouth destroys bacteria involved in the decay and infection process, as it cleans and disinfects the area. In addition to ozone therapy which is offered in our office, we also carry tri-ozonated oil which can be helpful for cleaning your mouth at home using oxygenated oil.
- Oil Pulling
Speaking of cleaning your teeth with oil, another common method of natural teeth whitening is oil pulling. This method involves simply swishing oil around in your mouth—just like mouthwash. This act of oil pulling can help remove harmful bacteria from the mouth and has also been found to reduce inflammation in the gums—aka gingivitis.
Extra-virgin coconut oil is one of the most common types of oil used for oil pulling because of its pleasant flavor, however, most oils work just fine.
- Cut Out Foods that Stain
It’s not easy, but one great way to keep your smile healthy and white is to cut out the foods that are staining your teeth. That includes smoking and all forms of tobacco use, wine, coffee, tea, and foods high in sugar. These products can easily stain teeth and can also impact overall oral health.
Wine, coffee, and tea are some of the most common offenders, however, if you do choose to drink them, rinsing with water right after will help minimize their impact on your teeth.
In Conclusion
So, if you want a naturally white smile, there are lots of methods you can use to achieve one. And a bright smile starts by having an overall healthy mouth. That means taking preventative measures like eating right, avoiding an unhealthy diet, and cleaning your teeth regularly.
If you’re still not seeing the results you’d like after consistently using the methods above, we suggest talking to your dentist about other natural options they may be able to provide.
Products we recommend
Our team at Pearl Oral Health loves helping people achieve complete oral health as well as a smile they love. We have several products available in our office to help you achieve a beautiful smile.
One incredible product we recommend for everyone is our Pearl Oral Health's natural toothpaste. This natural toothpaste will help brighten your smile and keep your teeth incredibly clean. It’s completely natural—that means no fluoride or other harmful ingredients—and will help you clean and remineralize your teeth. You can learn more here.