What do you think about FaceBook? Do you love it? Do you hate it?
Personally, I love that I can find or be found by old friends and classmates. I have reconnected with people I haven’t seen in years. And, it allows me to stay connected to people who no longer run in my social circles. Some of them have become an amazing support system through the power of the internet.
Memes are shared, births are announced, grievances are aired, political views are pondered, and endless pics of laundry are posted.
Yes, laundry. So many, many posts of laundry piles have clogged my feed. I cannot put an exclamation point after that sentence because I am scowling. Why laundry? We all know what it is. Most of us deal with it regularly.
If it’s not laundry, then it is food. Oh my word … the food posts! Please, show us a picture of your breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Ohh, and don’t forget snacks!
If you are my friend and you post laundry or food in excess, or if you are using your FaceBook feed like a blog, I will hide you. And if you are my friend and my Facebook feed has turned into a soapbox for all of your rantings, I will hide you. B’bye.
So what does someone so seemingly picky like to see in a FaceBook post? Well, I’ll tell you. I love encouraging posts, funny memes, inspiring words, and useful tidbits.
I have discovered some of my favorite protein powder, cleaning hacks, great recipes, hair products, facial cleansers, and tips on getting my aging teeth whiter. Bring on the useful posts!
My teeth were once noticeably white. Now? Not so much. I still want whiter teeth.
That begs the question …
Can yellow teeth really become white?
You bet. Let’s explore some options for brightening those pearly whites.
Brushing and Flossing
The most tried and true method for taking care of teeth is to brush and floss regularly. If plaque and tartar are not scrubbed and flossed away on a consistent basis, then the teeth take on a yellow hue. Brushing is best to reduce plaque that incites yellowing teeth.
And of course, visit the dentist regularly in order to identify any other issues that may be occurring inside your mouth.
Brushing frequently
The regular use of mouthwash and brushing reduces plaque. The most crucial time to do this is after eating or drinking foods that cause stains, such as:
- red wine
- coffee
- blueberries
- Beetroot
- Tea
- Soy sauce
- Balsamic vinegar
Follow these tips for best-brushing practices:
- Brush your teeth 2 or three times daily
- Brush gums very gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush
- Use circular motions while brushing—just like your dental hygienist showed you
- Continue brushing for at least 2-3 minutes
- Do not neglect any tooth surface when brushing
- Remember to hit those molars at the very back of your mouth
Whitening toothpastes for yellow teeth
In today’s market, several whitening toothpastes are available that contain a bleaching agent. These particular toothpastes can help fight annoying stains when used regularly. This type of toothpaste is made up of chemicals such as hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide for lightening the color of our teeth.
Unfortunately, these whitening toothpastes can damage teeth over time. They have been known to wear down the enamel and increase sensitivity. It’s a bit of a double-edged sword.
First when enamel thins, the deep yellow dentin shows through. That means your whitening toothpaste can lead to yellow-tinted teeth. Second, there is the issue of sensitivity. For those of you with sensitive teeth, you know how painful it can be!
Whitening strips for yellow teeth
Whitening strips are an affordable over the counter option. These handy-dandy things are best known for their ability to lighten teeth by means of a thin film of peroxide gel adhered to the plastic strips.
You can find them in shapes that fit snugly onto the surface of the teeth. You will see results in as little as a few days, and they may last as long as a few months. You can expect your teeth to be one or two shades lighter.
Home remedies for yellow teeth
Mother Nature supplies us with various herbal and natural solutions for whitening teeth. Hydrogen peroxide and baking soda are two such solutions that most of us already have on hand. Both of these agents have whitening properties.
You can make a paste using these two ingredients and apply it onto teeth to remove the plaque deposits and clean stains. Follow this general guidelines for baking soda and hydrogen peroxide whitening paste:
- 1 Tbsp baking soda
- 2 Tbsp hydrogen peroxide
- Mix ingredients and use to brush teeth
Even though this is considered to be a great option, check with your dentist to make sure it’s a good option for you.
Keep up with your calcium intake!
Calcium is essential for healthy teeth. It is the hero of healthy teeth and helps to prevent enamel erosion. Getting enough calcium on a consistent basis will strengthen the enamel and lining of the gums. Be sure to eat calcium-rich foods, such as:
- Seeds
- Cheese
- Yogurt
- Sardines and canned salmon
- Beans and lentils
- Almonds
- Whey protein
- Certain leafy greens
- Rhubarb
- Edamame and tofu
- Figs
- Milk
Vitamin C
Most of us know that vitamin C helps with colds and cures scurvy, but what is lesser known is its effect on teeth. Vitamin C deficiency can lead to periodontitis, which is a bacterial buildup on gums and teeth. It is this buildup that causes yellowing.
Based on this information, we can conclude that keeping up with your daily dosage of vitamin C can reduce yellowing of teeth. However, there is no absolute proof as to whether or not vitamin C intake whitens yellow teeth. Clearly, it can’t hurt!
Fruit enzymes
You may have heard of papaya enzymes for acid indigestion, but to get whiter teeth? That’s a new one to me. Yep. Papaya enzymes can be added to toothpaste to whiten teeth.
But papaya is not the only dentally-helpful enzyme! Studies have shown not only the papain enzyme present in papaya, but also the bromelain enzyme found in pineapples can remove stains from teeth.
Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is quite the wonder cure. It is associated with hundreds of natural remedies. And now it brings us whiter teeth!
Studies have shown that ACV can be used in small amounts to remove stains and whiten teeth. Bear in mind that it was a study performed on animals.
Take care when using apple cider vinegar because when used frequently it can cause damage to the surface of the teeth. If you opt to use ACV as a tooth whitener, be careful. There are no extensive studies on its whitening effects at this point.
Coconut oil pulling
Oil pulling or swishing coconut oil in the mouth has been shown as an effective way to diminish plaque buildup on the teeth. As previously discussed, plaque buildup causes yellowing, so it’s reasonable to deduce that oil pulling helps to reduce yellowing.
Tray-based tooth whiteners
Tray-based tooth whiteners are another option for whitening yellow teeth. You can find this option at many dental offices. There are also home versions available over-the-counter to whiten teeth. This type of whitener can lighten teeth by one to two shades.
This option involves wearing a tray that is properly fitted to the teeth. The user applies a special bleaching gel to the tray and wears it 2 to 4 hours at a time or overnight.
Follow the ADA recommendation and find products that contain 10 percent carbamide peroxide.
Whitening rinses
Whitening rinses are a very gradual way to whiten your yellow teeth. These rinses consist of ingredients containing oxygen sources like hydrogen peroxide. The oxygen sources undergo a chemical reaction with the compounds that are staining the teeth, helping to lift them.
You will need to use a whitening rinse once or twice a day for a minimum of one minute. Continue this process for three months to see whiter teeth.
Activated charcoal
If you don’t mind the black foam created, then activated charcoal is a viable option for whitening teeth. Activated charcoal can be added to regular toothpaste for the use of removing stains.
Charcoal toothpastes cannot remove intrinsic stains, but it can reduce extrinsic staining.
This sounds counterintuitive … the same charcoal that can whiten teeth should be used with caution, as they can cause staining. Make sure to use floss and a good oral rinse to remove the charcoal from all crevices of the teeth to avoid this possibility.
I will ask again.
Can yellow teeth really become white? Absolutely!
Snow has whitening wands. Snow’s wand is used like a paintbrush as you apply the peroxide gel to your teeth. This allows you to be more precise and have the certainty that you’ve completely covered every tooth surface.
Say goodbye to gum sensitivity. The wand lets you get into every single space without touching your gums. Once you’re all painted up, you will put in a special mouthguard that includes Snow’s innovative LED activating light, which speeds the whitening process and increases its effectiveness.
You don’t even have to worry about your enamel. Snow has also created a special desensitizing serum for you to apply to your teeth before the peroxide gel.
Unlike many other whitening solutions that make those with sensitive teeth wince to even consider, the desensitizing serum helps prevent any pain due to sensitivity (while also strengthening your enamel.) Hallelujah!
But, wait. There’s more.
Snow also offers access to their unique app that gives you complete control over your whitening experience. For faster results, use the app and add more time to your whitening. Genius. Snow does the thinking for you.
No worries if this causes you to hesitate. You can go slowly and avoid the possibility of damaging your enamel. The app gives you that option as well.
If you want a product that is proven to be both safe and highly effective, why not give Snow a try?
Snow is definitely a product I would call useful and FaceBook feed worthy. Like I said, bring on the useful posts!
