Over time, teeth can become discolored or yellowish. This discoloration is often caused by what we eat or drink. Certain types of diets can lead to teeth discoloration. Furthermore, plaque buildup will also lead to yellowing teeth. But your teeth don’t have to stay that way. Teeth whitening will brighten your smile once again.
Investing in teeth whitening services is one way to whiten your teeth, but it isn’t the only way. There are some easy-to-use methods to whiten your teeth at home in as little as one day. Read on to find out how you can get back your gleaming white smile in just a short amount of time.
First, What Not to Use: Activated Charcoal
This method of teeth whitening uses activated charcoal to pull stains off of your teeth, but it’s not recommended. Activated charcoal essentially binds to the stains and pulls them off. However, the problem with charcoal is that it’s abrasive, and it can bind to important minerals that are also on your teeth—nutrients your teeth need to be healthy. There are plenty of other safer options out there that can take the place of whitening this way.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is a natural teeth whitener, which is why it is an active ingredient in many kinds of toothpaste. This mildly abrasive ingredient works best to scrub away stains in the front of the teeth as it mixes with saliva.
Baking soda can be mixed with another liquid to form a paste that can be applied to the surface of the teeth. For instance, if you mix baking soda with water to make a paste, you can leave the paste on for a few minutes and see a visibly whiter smile. If you use lemon juice instead of water, it only needs to be applied for one minute before rinsing it off.
Studies have found that baking soda and toothpaste with baking soda are more effective at removing plaque and stains from teeth than ones without baking soda as an ingredient. Additionally, the higher the concentration of baking soda, the whiter your teeth. But baking soda isn’t just effective for whitening teeth. Another added benefit is that its alkaline properties can inhibit bacteria growth in the mouth for both a whiter and healthier smile.
Apple Cider Vinegar
For hundreds of years, apple cider vinegar has been used as a disinfectant to rid the mouth of bad bacteria. But it has also been shown to do more than that. Apple cider vinegar can also bleach and whiten the teeth. But because of its strong acidity, it has also been known to erode the enamel of the teeth. Therefore, it is not recommended for everyday use. When using apple cider vinegar to whiten teeth, only use it occasionally. Mix it with water, swish it around, spit it out, and then rinse again with water afterward.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Much like apple cider vinegar, hydrogen peroxide can whiten, but it should be used carefully and only in small doses. Using a strong concentration can irritate gums, lead to tooth staining, or cause tooth sensitivity. But highly diluted hydrogen peroxide can work wonders at whitening your teeth. A 1.5% to 3% solution is recommended for best results.
These home remedies can whiten teeth in no time, but for the most effective and long-lasting results, you will want to talk to your dentist about professional teeth whitening procedures.
FAQs
Hydrogen Peroxide
Can a dentist whiten teeth in one day? ›
To whiten teeth in one day, an in-office whitening treatment might be the best bet. Just beware of the sensitivity side effects. Harris adds that in-office, same-day systems like Zoom Advanced Power is highly effective for immediate results when dealing with stains caused by internal discoloration.
How can I whiten my teeth quickly? ›
Seven Ways to Naturally Whiten Teeth
- Eat Strawberries. One of the simplest ways to naturally whiten your teeth is just by eating strawberries. ...
- Eat Plenty of Fruits and Vegetables. ...
- Brush After You Eat or Drink. ...
- Rinse with Apple Cider Vinegar. ...
- Apply Coconut Oil. ...
- Brush Your Tongue. ...
- Use Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide.
For most people, Zoom! laser teeth whitening is the safest, quickest, and most effective option among the types of teeth-whitening treatments available.
How to get rid of yellow teeth overnight? ›
No treatment can whiten teeth overnight, but some options are faster than others. Natural or over-the-counter treatment may take longer than treatments at the dentist's office. Even in the latter case, whitening is likely to require several treatment sessions of several hours each.
Can I use hydrogen peroxide to whiten my teeth every day? ›
The longer hydrogen peroxide stays in contact with your teeth, gums, or tongue, the more damage it can cause. That is why whitening treatments that contain hydrogen peroxide are only applied for a limited amount of time. Most products recommend a maximum time of 1 – 2 minutes, once or twice a week.
How to get white teeth in 1 day with baking soda? ›
To try this method, mix 2 parts of baking soda with 1 part of 1% to 3% hydrogen peroxide to form a paste. Brush your teeth with the mixture for 1 to 2 minutes, then rinse with water. Make sure you use hydrogen peroxide with a concentration of 3% or less.
Can yellow teeth become white again? ›
Fortunately, there are ways of making your yellow teeth white, from improving your oral hygiene and diet to visiting the dentist and having them professionally whitened. There's no need to feel ashamed of your smile anymore.
How fast does baking soda whiten teeth? ›
But, how long the baking soda takes to work depends on the severity of the stains. Generally, it takes about two weeks of daily use before you start seeing results. If you're looking for a quick fix, other options are available, such as professional teeth whitening in the Colony, TX, or take-home kits.
How can I make my teeth whiter in an hour? ›
Whitening strips are coated with peroxide gel, which bleaches the teeth and helps them to look whiter. You will typically use two sets of strips per day, for 30 minutes each -- giving you a whiter smile in only 60 minutes! Whitening strips can be purchased over-the-counter at the drugstore or supermarket.
Over-the-counter options, like whitening toothpastes, strips, and kits, tend to be the cheapest options. If you feel self-conscious about the brightness of your smile, you are far from alone.
Does vaseline whiten teeth? ›
APPLY VASELINE TO YOUR TEETH. A slick across your gnashers can not only act as a protective layer against staining from what passes your lips, but also it can keep lippy in place and prevent it from transferring onto your teeth. Either way – you've got a whiter smile.
What whitens your teeth overnight? ›
Overnight whitening products like strips, gels, and trays can lighten teeth. These magical concoctions often contain bleaching agents like hydrogen peroxide, breaking down stain molecules on your enamel's surface and leading to a noticeable improvement.
How to whiten teeth in 2 minutes? ›
Baking-powder eliminates stains on the surface of your teeth and lemon juice as we already said has multiple components that lighten teeth. Just mix a teaspoon of baking powder and a teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice and brush your teeth with the paste this mixture will work wonders in just two minutes.
What teeth whitening actually works overnight? ›
With Colgate's Optic White Teeth Whitening Pen, you can whiten teeth overnight when used as directed. Keep in mind it takes time to see the full results, but with consistency and by following product instructions, the Optic White Pen removes years of stains in as little as one week.
How fast can a dentist whiten your teeth? ›
Most of the time, we can complete in-office teeth whitening within an hour or two. In some cases, the patient may need a follow-up treatment. It is also important for a patient to understand the process of whitening teeth and why a professional whitening is much more effective than at-home remedies.
How long does it take to whiten teeth at the dentist? ›
The length of professional teeth whitening depends on the dentist you choose, how many shades the patients want to lighten their smile, and other factors. In general, it typically takes anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes. The following is a review of professional teeth whitening and how long the process takes.
How many sessions does it take to whiten teeth at the dentist? ›
When choosing in-office teeth whitening, patients often only require one visit annually (at most) to maintain consistently white teeth. Depending on the patient's objectives and the intensity of the stains, the dentist may use multiple applications of the bleaching solution during each session.
How quickly can you whiten teeth? ›
A fairly new tooth whitening option includes using a whitening gel along with a special UV light. This option is similar in cost and can give you results in about the same amount of time as strips or trays. Teeth should appear whiter in about 10-14 days if used as directed.
