Halloween is here! If you’re dressing up as a vampire or werewolf, you’ll want to have those pearly whites on display! A bright smile can boost your confidence at any fall gathering, even if you’re not dressing up this year.
Do-it-yourself teeth whitening techniques are fun and easy to do at home, but not all of them work or last a long time. It’s like doing a face mask at a slumber party — it’s fun, but the results are usually temporary! Keep reading to find out if these at-home teeth whitening tricks really work, and how your family dentist can help make your teeth glow this Halloween!
1. Can Brushing With Baking Soda Whiten Teeth?
Baking soda is a natural whitener and a popular ingredient in commercial toothpaste! As an at-home remedy, the idea is to brush with just the baking soda, but science hasn’t proven that baking soda by itself can really whiten teeth.
However, baking soda in toothpaste may improve oral health and, in turn, whiten teeth! A cleaner mouth with less plaque and stains can help make your smile brighter and whiter!
2. Will Oil Pulling Give Me A Whiter Smile?
Oil pulling is an at-home method of removing bacteria and plaque from your mouth. Many people have noticed that oil pulling with coconut oil helps their teeth look brighter and whiter! But keep in mind, there aren’t any proven studies for this.
Oil pulling is safe to do every day, and can help get rid of bacteria. So swish pure coconut oil in your mouth for 15 to 20 minutes a day if you want to see if it’ll work for you!
3. Can Fruits and Veggies Whiten My Teeth?
If you have plaque build-up on your teeth, your teeth can look dull and yellow! So after eating some yummy dental-friendly Halloween candy, fight off plaque and make your teeth brighter by eating more crunchy fruits and veggies like carrots and apples.
Some people have even tried brushing their teeth with crushed strawberries and baking soda! While this is great for cleaning off plaque and bacteria, it’s not proven to work against stains on your teeth. If you want to try this method, only do it a few times a week since strawberries can be very acidic and break down your enamel!
4. Does Brushing With Activated Charcoal Whiten Teeth?
Many different types of dental products with activated charcoal claim they can remove coffee and wine stains or plaque! However, these claims haven’t been scientifically proven to work.
Some people have brushed with powdered charcoal and have seen results! And since it’s safe to use in small amounts from time to time, it doesn’t necessarily hurt to try!
5. Can Rinsing With Hydrogen Peroxide Work?
Another way to try whitening teeth at home is to rinse with hydrogen peroxide before or after brushing. Only use this technique with very diluted amounts to avoid harming your gums.
This method hasn’t been proven to whiten teeth, but some studies have shown that toothpaste with higher levels of hydrogen peroxide may whiten teeth!
6. Can A Visit With WhiteWing Dental Whiten My Teeth?
You may only want to make your teeth whiter and brighter for Halloween night, so a quick at-home method may do the trick! For longer-lasting results for more radiant and whiter teeth, you can visit your McAllen team at WhiteWing Dental!
From in-office treatments to whitening strips, our experienced cosmetic dentistry team can find the treatment that works best for you! If you’ve got stained or dull-looking teeth, a quick visit with WhiteWing Dental can change your smile — and boost your confidence!