How to whiten teeth: Professional & home solutions to make teeth whiter

5 min. read

Wish you had a sparkling white smile? Who doesn’t! Let’s face it: the so-called, “Hollywood smile” attracts jealous looks for a good reason. There are a number of reasons people choose to make their teeth whiter, from getting a simple confidence boost to wanting to look younger. You’re probably now wondering, “How do I get white teeth”. Look no further, we’ve got you covered.

There are several methods to make teeth whiter, including:

• Brushing regularly.
• Using whitening products at home.
• Avoiding things that stain teeth.
• Getting professional teeth whitening.
• Opting for veneers.

In this article, we’ll explore the different steps for how to whiten teeth, as well as the pros and cons of professional and home solutions to get teeth white. Read on to discover how to get white teeth and make your smile even more sparkling.

How to make your teeth white at home

Wouldn’t it be nice if you could learn how to get white teeth without having to shell out for expensive treatments? Well, you can. In fact, there are a few ways in which you can make teeth whiter with simple home remedies. 

Read on as we share the most popular tips for white teeth using home solutions. We’ll also discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using home fixes for how to whiten your teeth: 

1. Brushing your teeth regularly will help to make your teeth whiter. This may seem logical to most of us, yet many disregard this obvious fact. Ensure that you follow the basic steps for appropriate toothbrushing for good oral hygiene and to get white teeth:

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day.
• Brush your teeth thoroughly, using the correct technique. 
• Use dental floss.
• Change your toothbrush regularly. While brushing your teeth is the basic prerequisite for beautiful, white teeth, it does have one major disadvantage: tooth brushing doesn’t help to remove existing stains. 

Tip: The steps for how to make your teeth white begin with the correct cleaning. Try the Philips Sonicare DiamondClean electric toothbrush for complete oral care from a deeper clean to healthier gums. The special brush head removes stains and helps to visibly whiten your teeth, plus the app guides you through how to achieve a thorough clean.  

2. Whitening toothpaste can help make teeth whiter. If you’re wondering how to get white teeth, you’ve no doubt considered whitening toothpaste. After all, this special toothpaste contains abrasive particles, which help to remove superficial stains. You’ll be pleased to hear these kinds of toothpaste are economical and easy to use – you simply need to swap them out for your regular toothpaste. That being said, compared to other methods we’ll explore for how to make your teeth white; the whitening effect is low. In addition, dentists warn that the abrasive particles can damage your teeth, thinning enamel and potentially causing further – and worse – discoloration.¹

3. Whitening trays and strips are a more aggressive solution to get teeth white at home. Utilising between 10% and 35% hydrogen peroxide in the gel, these products are a fast and effective way to achieve a dazzling smile. Most importantly, these products are readily available over the counter. Unfortunately, they do come with one key disadvantage: they are prone to misuse and overuse. To get white teeth using trays and strips, you need to follow the instructions and information provided with the product exactly, in order to avoid tooth decay and sensitivity as well as gum irritation.²

4. Prevent stains to make teeth whiter. There are a number of natural teeth whitening tips that you can use, simply by making a few lifestyle changes. Want to know what changes you should be making? Here are our tips for white teeth:

• Quit smoking. Nicotine and tar will cause yellowing in a very short time.³ Over time and with heavier smoking, the yellow staining can darken and even begin to look brown. As well as being better for your health,⁴ quitting smoking will help to make your teeth whiter.
• Reduce coffee and black tea. Coffee, black tea, and even some wines contain tannins – sometimes referred to as tannic acid. Tannic acid has been shown to leave behind yellow stains on teeth.⁵
• Avoid sugary drinks. If you’re wondering how to whiten teeth one of the easiest ways is to avoid carbonated and sugary drinks – yes, even too much fruit juice can damage your teeth with natural sugars. Sugar and bacteria in your mouth attack the enamel, making the teeth more susceptible to stains as well as cavities and tooth decay.⁶