How to Remove Stains from Teeth
In today’s guide I will show you how to remove stains from teeth. Dental hygiene, though ignored by most people, is an important part of your lifestyle. If you don’t maintain proper oral health, you will start to notice stains forming on your teeth. These stains not only result in bad odor, causing you a lot of embarrassment in public, but they can also weaken your teeth and lead to teeth loss, if not treated properly. Identifying the reason for the stains, and using the right method to get rid of them is of paramount importance here.
If you don’t act on these stains immediately, they can damage the outer layer of your teeth (called enamel) and slowly start eating them away. This leaves the delicate inner layer (dentin) exposed to germs and eventual decay. You can pick from one of the below methods to remove stains from teeth safely and effectively.
Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide method
What do you need?
- Baking soda – 1 tablespoon
- Hydrogen Peroxide – 2 tablespoons
- Water
- Toothbrush
Process
- Make a paste by mixing baking soda and hydrogen peroxide in a ratio of 1:2.
- Apply this paste to your toothbrush for at least 30 seconds.
- Rinse thoroughly to get rid of all residues. Repeat daily to see positive results quickly.
- You can replace hydrogen peroxide with water as well.
Oil Pulling Method
What do you need:
- Coconut oil or sesame oil – 2 teaspoons
- Water
- Toothbrush
Process
- Choose only high-quality, organic oil for this method, as it helps in removing plaque and getting rid of stains completely.
- Swish 1 or 2 teaspoons of coconut oil or sesame oil in your mouth for about 1o minutes when you start this method. When you start doing this daily, you can extend the timing to 30 minutes to get the maximum possible effects of the oil.
- Take care not to swallow the oil, as it is filled with bacteria and plaque from your teeth.
- Spit the oil in the toilet after 30 minutes. Rinse your mouth thoroughly.
- Drink some water and brush your teeth very well to remove all residues of oil.
Apple cider vinegar method
What do you need:
- Apple cider vinegar – 2 teaspoons
- Water – 6 ounces
- Toothbrush
Process
- Make a DIY mouth-cleaning solution by mixing 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar with 6 ounces of water.
- Swish this solution in your mouth for 30 seconds (don’t keep this in your mouth for a long time).
- Rinse your mouth with water thoroughly before you brush your teeth.
- Remember that apple cider vinegar, when kept in your mouth for a long time, can cause damage to your teeth. So, be careful when trying this method.
Fruits method
What do you need:
- Fruit Peels of citrus fruits (orange or lemon is the best; banana peels would do too)
- Water
- Toothbrush
Process
- Rub the peels of the fruit of your choice on your teeth for about 2 minutes. The citric acid of these fruit peels will help in removing stains and whitening your teeth naturally.
- After 2 minutes, rinse your mouth thoroughly, and brush your teeth.
- You can do this twice daily to see visible results in stain removal from your teeth.
Activated charcoal method
What do you need:
- Activated Charcoal – one capsule per use
- Toothbrush
- Cotton balls (optional)
- Water
Process
The highly absorbent properties of activated charcoal can help in removing stains from your teeth naturally.
- Pour the contents of one capsule of activated charcoal onto your toothbrush.
- Brush your teeth with this for about 2 minutes. Always use circular motions while brushing.
- If you have very sensitive teeth, you can use a cotton ball to dab the activated charcoal on your teeth instead of brushing them.
- After 2 minutes, spit out the activated charcoal and rinse your mouth thoroughly.
- Since activated charcoal is abrasive, you can use this as a last resort, after consulting with your doctors. Generally, people with sensitive teeth and delicate gums shouldn’t use this method.
Whitening treatments
If none of the DIY methods mentioned above, it means your stains are very deep. Getting whitening treatments from professionals would be the right choice for you, in this case. You can try some of these methods based on your budget constraints and the intensity of stains on your teeth.
- Getting your teeth whitened at the clinic
- Getting yourself a teeth-whitening kit, so that you can do the process at home
- Using teeth whitening strips
- Laser teeth whitening treatments
Regardless of the treatment you choose, you should ensure that you track your dental health regularly. This will help in extending the longevity of your white teeth.
Additional Tips and Advice
- Needless to say, the first tip for removing stains is to brush your teeth properly. You have to spend at least 2 minutes brushing your teeth. Make sure to brush your teeth at night as well before you go to bed. Always use circular motions while brushing, and use a flexible toothbrush, which you can bend in different directions to brush the corners of your teeth and gums.
- When buying toothpaste, check for the ingredients on the label. Buy the ones that come with whitening agents like baking soda and hydrogen peroxide for the best results. If you are into herbal toothpaste, you can buy the ones that contain papain (an enzyme in papaya) and bromelain (an enzyme in pineapple).
- Leading a healthy lifestyle and following a healthy diet are two important factors for the overall well-being of your teeth. Always try to have a balanced diet with a good quantity of fruit & vegetable intake every day. Eating foods rich in Vitamin C can keep your teeth and gums healthy for a long time.
- Avoid smoking as much as you can. Regular tobacco usage can cause yellowing of your teeth. If you don’t clean them immediately, these stains turn brown, and they start affecting the gums around the teeth as well. This problem can lead to teeth loss, if you aren’t careful. If you cannot quit smoking, try to limit your addiction as much as possible. Ensure you rinse your mouth thoroughly after every smoke to prevent stains from settling in your teeth.
- Also if you smoke here is an article on removing tobacco stains from teeth
