From the article you will learn about the main methods of teeth whitening, as well as the most popular folk way to whiten teeth with soda and lemon .
Why does tooth enamel darken? The color of the teeth depends on the color of the enamel and the color of the inner part of the tooth, which is called dentin. The outer and inner parts of the tooth are porous, so the teeth are stained not only from the outside, but also from the inside.
Types of color changes in teeth:
- Surface;
- deep;
- Age.
The most common is surface staining, which results from the consumption of food and drinks containing a large amount of coloring substances, such as coffee, tea, wine, blueberries, chocolate. With surface staining, it is quite easy to whiten the enamel. Poor oral care can also cause darkening of the enamel.
Deeply stained teeth are difficult to whiten. Usually such staining occurs at the stage of their formation. Color can be affected by metal fillings, systemic diseases, fluorosis , antibiotic tetracycline. As a result of bleaching, the teeth become lighter, but not whiter.
Age-related changes in the color of the teeth are influenced by the re-formation of darker and more matte dentin, the loss of transparency of the enamel, which becomes thinner with time.
Whitening methods
There are methods of whitening in the dentist's office and at home. In this case, chemical, mechanical, physical methods are used.
- Physical methods. Whitening with a laser, ultrasound refers to physical professional methods. They are one of the most effective and inexpensive whitening methods. The procedures last approximately 1 hour.
- Mechanical. Using abrasives, which must necessarily be softer than tooth enamel, they remove interdental deposits, calculus, and remove plaque. Mechanical whitening is considered by dentists as professional oral hygiene.
- Chemical. The most dangerous for the health of teeth, gums whitening methods. Chemical bleaching uses compounds that penetrate deep into the enamel and dentin. Hydrogen peroxide, urea, urea can be used both in the dentist's office and at home. But at home, enamel treatment with a protective gel is not used, therefore, after the procedures, the teeth become more sensitive and vulnerable. Contraindication is the presence of fillings, prostheses, veneers, lumineers.
Whitening with baking soda and lemon
Whitening with soda and lemon is a folk remedy related to chemical methods. Effectively, if necessary, remove plaque, clean the top layer of enamel.
Baking soda has a high hardness. This substance is able to remove soft dental plaque, is an antifungal agent, and a light antiseptic. It is enough to pour a small amount of soda on a toothbrush moistened with water, brush your teeth well. In this way, plaque is removed, but with a thin layer of enamel, so this procedure is best not carried out more than once a month.
To improve the taste of soda, you can add a little lemon juice. If soda is added to a fluoride-free paste, then cleaning with such a mixture will be more pleasant. After bleaching, it is necessary to refrain from taking foods and drinks that can stain the enamel for an hour.
Lemon can be used as an independent whitening agent . The outer side of the lemon skin is rubbed with enamel to remove plaque. Afterwards, rinse your mouth thoroughly. If the enamel is thin, sensitive, then droplets of juice are added to the paste. After the usual brushing procedure to brighten the enamel and freshen the breath, you can rinse your mouth with lemon juice diluted with water.
Ingredients such as soda, lemon are also used in tandem. Soda, a small amount of lemon juice are added to the toothpaste. Brush your teeth gently enough without touching the gums, then rinse your mouth. Such whitening can be used to maintain the effect after other types of whitening.
If you decide to whiten your teeth using one of the listed methods, you should consult a dentist.
