How to Protect Your Teeth

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How to Protect Your Teeth

My kids are involved in several different sports, including some that are known for being a bit rough, like hockey and football. I worry about them being injured, but I don’t want to curb their athletic spirit. So I take steps to make certain that they’re as protected as possible. That means protecting their teeth, too. My children’s dentist told me that the best way to protect their teeth was to use custom mouth guards that would keep their teeth safe even in the event of a blow to the mouth. I started this blog to talk about different ways to protect teeth – from mouth guards and dental devices you wear while you sleep, to plain old brushing and flossing. There are many ways to protect your teeth depending on your needs. Find out which one is right for you.

5 Ways To Whiten Your Teeth Without An Over-The-Counter Whitening Kit

There are ways to clean your teeth without using an over-the-counter whitening kit. Here are a few of them:

Whitening Gum

You can whiten your teeth just by chewing gum. Gum that has teeth-whitening power whitens the teeth by dissolving stains or polishing them away. Dissolving agents, such as malic acid, make dental stains easier to brush or rinse away. Additionally, polishing ingredients, such as baking soda, have a mildly abrasive texture that polishes away light staining from the tooth enamel. 

Teeth-whitening Mouth Rinses

Commercial rinses that whiten the teeth usually contain bleaching agents, such as hydrogen peroxide. As you swish with a rinse for the recommended period, stains are bleached away by the release of oxygen from the peroxide. Since the rinse is a liquid, it is able to make contact with practically all of the exposed areas of the crown of a tooth. 

If you would like to make a homemade whitening rinse, you can mix equal amounts of water and peroxide. The rinse can be used immediately after brushing and flossing. Not only will the rinse whiten your teeth, but it can also kill the oral bacteria in your mouth.

Whitening Toothpaste

Whitening toothpaste also includes polishing or bleaching agents, such as baking soda or peroxide. If used regularly, the paste can help prevent dental staining by removing surface discoloration. 

To make a whitening toothpaste, you can make a paste of baking soda and peroxide and apply it to the teeth as you would regular toothpaste. Additionally, turmeric can also be used as a whitening toothpaste when mixed with water. The turmeric has a somewhat abrasive texture that is similar to that of baking soda. The turmeric is also antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

Oil Pulling

Oils, such as coconut oil, olive oil or sesame oil, can help remove stains from your teeth through a practice called oil pulling. During oil pulling, a spoonful of oil is placed in the mouth and moved about for several minutes before it is released. The oil dilutes stains that may be trapped in the pores of the teeth and traps decay-causing microbes. This results in whiter teeth and a cleaner mouth.

Professional In-office Whitening

You can also choose to have your teeth whitened in a dental office. The dentist will whiten your teeth with a peroxide-based product and an ultraviolet light while ensuring that your gums are protected during the process. The whitening effects can typically be seen after a single visit.

To learn more about teeth whitening treatments, schedule a consultation with a cosmetic dentist in your area.


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