How to whiten teeth?

[Anonymous]

Sorry for the gross pic :x
I brush my teeth twice a day and I had braces for a year and I took good care of them. I drink coffee a lot, but my gums are still a little more red than they should be and my teeth are kinda yellow (or on most days at least.. its weird). Anyways, are there any good things to whiten them with? Whitening tooth paste does nothing for me, but I don't know about whitening strips, but if you recommend whitening strips which brand or if you have a DIY mixture please recommend. Should I just get them professionaly whitened? Mind the cost.

Updates

+1 y

Is there a more permanent way?

[Anonymous]

Baking soda works quite well. You can just use some on its own, some sprinkled on top of your regular toothpaste or make a paste using fresh squeezed lemon juice and baking soda (can keep for a few days if left refrigerated)
I notice a difference on the first day when I use it by itself or with the lemon. With the toothpaste, it depends how much powder I use with it.

[Asker]

Ok thank you! It doesn't case damage though right?

[Opinion Owner]

Over time, basically every tooth whitening method will damage the enamel on your teeth because it wears away. Normal brushing, eating and drinking also makes enamel wear away too though. With whitening, any method, it's a bit more harsh than normal eating and drinking so will do it more. It's important to just do it as and when you need to, some people brush with baking soda every day of every week in the year, I don't advise that. I just do it for a week or two then stop and I do that every other month or whenever I think I need to, sometimes only a few times a year. I also use mouthwash made to protect enamel daily, not just because of the baking soda, also because of normal daily wear and tear. You can also get toothpaste that does the same.
As for whitening that damages enamel, baking soda is one of the least harsh things you can do. Lemon is a bit more damaging than baking soda and any chemical treatments are more damaging than that and leave some with sensitive teeth.

[Asker]

Thank you for the information. I think i'll do it on special occasions because its not like my teeth are embarrassingly yellow or anything. They say strawberries help too but I hate strawberries the most out of any other food so i've never tried it nor do I want to. But I think i'll try the enamel tooth paste & mouthwash and maybe stay away from coffee and tea if I decide to use a whitening method.

[Opinion Owner]

To be honest, even strawberry will damage enamel. All fruit does. It's because of the acidity and sugars in it. The acidity that wears the enamel is actually what helps it become whiter too, unfortunately. It's not just a stain remover. It sucks so much and is so frustrating when you just want whiter teeth but still want them to be healthy teeth.

[Aristotle]

As far as I know there's not too much you can do. Whitening strips sort of work but cost a lot and you have to keep reapplying. Professional whitening is pretty much the same, costs a lot and you have to keep going back, but it's probably cheapest and most effective in the long run. Apart from that your best bet is to not let them get yellow in the first place

[Asker]

The braces man.. the braces.
Plus teeth naturally yellow, especially with an American diet, my teeth also yellow very easily, no matter how often I brush or floss.

[Aristotle]

They do naturally yellow but there isn't really a lasting way to get rid of it, unless you wanna risk veneers and have a spare $15k lying around. Your teeth are pretty white now, you just have to damage control by cutting down on staining foods as much as possible

[EdwardtheGr3at]

I would say professional whitening I got it for my job and it worked out pretty good and after that maintain the white with white strips and whitening toothpase as well as mouthwash and flossing but of course this sounds expensive and it is.

[mr90skid]

I heard rubbing apple cider vinegar diluted with water for a minute or two on them helps.

[Asker]

Never heard about it o_O thanks

[mr90skid]

np. gotta diluted it or it'll mess up your enamel

[ClariceOwen23]

I think they look fine

[Asker]

The lighting is to my advantage, but when I look in my car mirror they look really yellow to me.

[ClariceOwen23]

Well I've heard that baking soda helps.

[Asker]

i'll try it, thanks.

[ConsultantIsBack]

Gum, whitening strips

[Asker]

how would gum work to my advantage?

[ConsultantIsBack]

Saliva and xylitol clean your teeth

[Asker]

ok thanks

[ConsultantIsBack]

Mouth wash too after u eat to remove food odors and crap
Good luck

[apple24]

Its already white? Have you try dr. geroge?

[Asker]

I think the lighting is to my advantage.. and no not yet, is it expensive?

[apple24]

nah like 12 bucks and you can by the trays. If you want.

[apple24]

It helps! but you need reteainers or you buy the kit which is 20 buck or something.

[Asker]

i do have retainers, it won't ruin them will it?

[apple24]

eh... just put the whiting cream on let it cool down put them on. It won't break but it might leave stain on the retainer. You will be fine.