Teeth Whitening

I have checked the index with no luck.

Is there anyway to whiten one's teeth without the use of those bleaching strips? Could you use a mixture of chemicals instead? I guess that's my question, so I'm done.

This message was edited by keiichi(moderator) on Jun 03 2007.

From what I have heard, we cant whitening our teeth. Since, we have a basic colour of teeth. So, if your origin colour is yellow, you cant change it.

I am not sure, though.

Yes I know.

But I have a friend who dooes really care about himself, and yet, his teeth is not as bright as a sun.

I know, it's overrated. The point is, yellow teeth doesnt mean that you're gross =D

Ah, good question.

Absolutley do not mix any chemicals together to make a whitening solution. Whitening your teeth can only be accomplished by using whitening products, such as the strips referred to, or more successfully with in-office whitening, and professionally made whitening trays and solutions acquired from your dental professionals. All of these methods are tested to be safe and effective for the teeth, while homemade concoctions can be very dangerous to the teeth.

Certain toothpastes that are designed as "whitening" contain a gentle abrasive that help to scrub away surface or extrinsic stains. They may also contain a dilute amount of peroxide that would diffuse into the teeth in the same process that OTC and professional bleaching methods and help to lighten them, though the effect is minimal.

Now on the topic of tooth color, every one's teeth are naturally a certain color, and can carry different hues in the range of grey to yellow. This natural color occurs regardless of oral hygiene and other factors. Thinner enamel can often times make teeth appear more yellow because the tooth layer beneath the enamel, called the dentin is naturally more yellow in color. Furtermore, as we get much older in our adult years, that dentin layer grows bigger towards the inside of the tooth, and appears darker through the enamel, which is why elderly people's teeth tend to look darker in color. Many variables can also effect the color of your teeth, and there are extrinsic and intrinsic sources for stained or discolored teeth.

Extrinsic staining occurs on the surface of the teeth. Some of these stains are due to poor oral hygiene, including green, orange, and yellow stain. Other ones can be a result of using tobacco, tea, coffee, and/or red wine and can be difficult to prevent from forming even with decent oral hygiene. Over time, these stains can diffuse into the enamel, and intrinsically darken the overall shade of the teeth, ie, make them appear more yellow or grey.

Now are certain classifications of intrinsic stains/discolorations that are related to tooth development. As Final Fantasy Angel said, certain antibiotics, mostly those in the tetracycline class, can effect the formation of the enamel by binding with the calcium during tooth development, and should be avoided by pregnant women and children in tooth development ages. This type of discoloration is characterized by yellow to bluish colored horizontal striping on the teeth. Similaryly, white striping and/or mottled appearing enamel can result from numerous high fevers as a child because of disruption of the enamel forming cells. Excessive amounts of fluoride can also cause a splotchy appearance, and is known as fluorosis. Generally fluorosis effected teeth are more cavity resistant. With all of these intrinsic discoloration, the defects occur in different parts of the teeth depending on your age during the exposure to these variables, and may only appear on certain teeth due to the developmental pattern.

Also, make sure you brush thoroughly, or there'll be no effect.

You might want to try a mouthwash (Listerine is effective), and flossing, in addition to brushing.

Some chewing gum can help as well, if you chew after you eat. Freshens breath as well.

There is a simple method of getting your teeth to their maximum natural state of whiteness/brightness.

First, use a baking soda toothpaste, or just buy a box of baking soda to brush with. After brushing, floss thoroughly around teeth. Failure to floss allows food particles to remain on or against teeth, which permits the growth of bacteria that can cause stains.

Next, use hydrogen peroxide to rinse. The taste isn't as bad as some would have you believe, and it thoroughly removes any residue from brushing and flossing. Just be sure not to swallow any of the peroxide.

Finally, an antiseptic mouthwashes to rinse and gargle. They are all basically the same chemically, so the generics are just as good as the name brands. If you can't afford or don't like mouthwash, use warm salt-water.

It's important to use whitening products as directed. Incorrect use may cause an increased sensitivity in your teeth.

quote

Yellow teeth is a sign of not taking proper care of them, Lazarra.

No actually it's not. I had really crowed yellow teeth for years before i got braces. I used to hate it because people from school would just tell me that i don't brush my teeth! I did it twice a day! they are Straight now my braces have come off. They are not so yellow now either but they are still no where near white. It the only thing about me that i actually hate, (that and i don't have abs) my mum told me that it was because of some thing i had when i was a baby, some gun desease or something, not sure. Anyways, i brush my teeth for more that 2 minutes twice or 3 times a day and they are still yellow!