One hundred million people go through teethwhitening treatmentevery year. Did you know Americans spend around$1.4 billion annuallyon over-the-counter whiteners? Data from a recentstatistical surveyshows that 80% of Americans of 18 – 49 years old…
One hundred million people go through teethwhitening treatmentevery year. Did you know Americans spend around$1.4 billion annuallyon over-the-counter whiteners? Data from a recentstatistical surveyshows that 80% of Americans of 18 – 49 years old crave whiter teeth. American Association of Orthodontists found in a survey that88.8% of orthodontistshad dealt with patients who requested tooth whitening.
So, are you wondering how to whiten teeth overnight for the special date or an important board meeting tomorrow? There is no doubt that stainless teeth always make a person confident and can bring that flair to their smile. Results from an independent consumer study conducted on behalf of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry showed that 74% of American adults believe that an unattractive smile can have a negative impact on their career prospects.
You have probably heard of this myth that teeth discoloration is a repercussion of bad dental hygiene. When in reality, there are a bunch of other factors that lead to yellowish teeth. It could be an intrinsic or an extrinsic stain. You may often notice teeth stains among older people as it happens because of weary enamel tissues.
Before shifting to expensive products, we suggest you try out some safe home remedies to whiten teeth fast. In this article, we have curated five cost-effective ways to whiten your teeth in one day.
Is it possible to whiten your teeth in one day?
Yes, it’s very much possible to whiten your teeth overnight using some home remedies. But to solve a problem, it’s essential to know the reasons behind it. Let’s pay a bit closer attention to the structure of teeth, shall we?
The porous top coat of your teeth is called enamel. Excessive smoking or high consumption of soft drinks, tea, coffee, wine can leave a stain on the enamel as some parts of these drinks settle in the pores. Over the years, it forms a plaque on the teeth, and you lose the natural white sparkle.
No matter how strong the enamel tissue is, it is prone to wear due to various reasons. It could be a regular intake of sugary and acidic food, any specific medication for the long-term, teeth grinding, or simply aging. When the enamel wears off your teeth, it exposes a layer of hard, yellow tissue named dentin. This could be another reason behind the dull yellowish appearance of your teeth.
There are two types of teeth whitening. Mechanical whitening process or bleaching can treat the extrinsic stains. But this method won’t help with the intrinsic stains of the dentin. That’s when the chemical whitening comes to the rescue.
How long does it usually take to notice whiter teeth?
Well, that depends on the type and intensity of your teeth’ discoloration. If you are trying to treat mild to medium extrinsic stain, home remedies will show you instant or overnight results. Or it may take up to a few hours or so.
However, you can’t expect long-lasting and excellent outcomes like in chemical treatments done by dental professionals, which are more apt for intrinsic stains. But, with little patience, mechanical whitening will show you a positive impact.
Natural ways to whiten teeth at home in a day
We are here to help you with some serious cost-cutting on expensive teeth whitening products or complicated medical procedures. You can pick up half of the ingredients for these simple yet effective home remedies from your kitchen.
Baking soda
Baking soda or sodium bicarbonate has an abrasive quality that helps in removing the surface stain from teeth. Further, baking soda’s alkaline nature prevents bacterial growth inside the mouth. Mix equal parts baking soda and lemon juice and apply this paste to your teeth with a toothbrush. Don’t leave it on for more than 2-3 minutes.
Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is probably the quickest way to whiten teeth as it works as a bleaching agent. Its antiseptic property is good for any oral wound. The commercial in-house procedures use a higher concentration for instant results. You can dilute 1 cup of 2-3% hydrogen peroxide with 1 cup water and gargle with it for 30-40 seconds at home.
Mustard oil and salt
Another way to whiten teeth naturally fast is to mix a pinch of rock salt with three-parts mustard oil and gently massage your teeth and gum with this. Salt has an abrasive nature, and when mixed with mustard oil, it’s easier to scrub the plaque off your teeth. The fluoride in salt benefits both teeth and gum.
Oil pulling
Although not scientifically backed up, the ancient practice of oil pulling can improve your oral health altogether, such as inhibiting bacterias, reducing bad breath, preventing cavities. It is said that when you swish coconut oil, it washes off the toxins and plaques from the teeth surface. And the result is more refined and whitened teeth.
Fruits and vegetables
Our last suggestion for homemade ways to whiten teeth fast is to rub any built-up deposit off teeth with raw fruits. Take a banana peel, scour your teeth with the white side for a couple of minutes, and brush your teeth. You can also make a paste of smashed strawberry and baking soda and use it as a natural whitening remedy.
Conclusion
We hope the suggestions were helpful and cleared your doubts on how to whiten teeth naturally at home. You can take some other measures to fix this problem at the root. Cut your sugar intake and limit the number of fizzy drinks. Increase calcium-rich foods in your diet. And indeed, there is no substitute for regular brushing and flossing.
Dr. Stephen Nozaki is the owner and lead dentist at Image Dental in Stockton. He is a dedicated professional born and raised in California's Central Valley. With a commitment to his community, he brings advanced dental techniques learned from extensive education and continuous training from around the world. A third-generation Japanese American, Dr. Nozaki has a rich background that includes international living and a deep passion for both dentistry and outdoor activities. His focus in dentistry aligns with his passion for cosmetics and dental implants.
