Who hasn’t at some point fretted over pesky teeth stains or worried about the yellowing effects of a daily coffee habit? Thankfully, there are solutions. And while at-home teeth whitening may seem intimidating, a few easy, effective methods are dentist-approved. Whether you opt for over-the-counter strips or you choose to test out a natural baking soda rinse, brightening your smile isn’t as tough as you think.
To determine the best ways to whiten teeth, we spoke to five different dentists and dental hygienists who gave us all the details on efficient, effective methods, along with a few safety precautions. After chatting with these professionals, we reviewed scientific publications and journals to ensure we were recommending the most practical teeth whitening options.
Continue reading to find everything you need to know about enhancing those pearly whites from the comfort of your own home.
What is teeth whitening?
Teeth whitening involves using substances like carbamide peroxide, hydrogen peroxide or baking soda to brighten your natural smile. You can get this done at your dentist’s office, but if your staining isn’t too severe, there are effective ways to achieve noticeable results at home.
While not overtly dangerous, being careful and aware of potential side effects is important.
Methods for teeth whitening at home
There are several methods to whiten your teeth at home, ranging from over-the-counter (OTC) products to natural remedies. Here are some of the most popular at-home teeth whitening options.
Over-the-counter whitening products
Whitening strips
Nicole Mackie, DDS, notes that OTC whitening strips, like Crest 3D Whitestrips, are among the few at-home treatments approved by the American Dental Association. “They have been deemed effective and safe methods for teeth whitening at home,” she says.
Whitening toothpaste
While a 2018 study found that chemical teeth-whitening toothpaste is more effective than natural alternatives, this over-the-counter method isn’t as highly recommended as strips or trays. In fact, many dentists suggest using a mix of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide for better results (more on that below). That said, using a whitening toothpaste on a daily basis can certainly help keep your smile brighter.
Mackie also points out that it’s helpful to prevent staining in the first place. She advises:
- Limit your intake of stain-causing foods and drinks, like coffee, red wine, tomato sauce and dark sodas
- Use a straw if you drink heavily pigmented drinks like coffee and tea
- Swish water around in your mouth after eating or drinking
- Eat foods that can help naturally “scrub” your teeth, like apples, carrots and celery
Natural teeth whitening options
Baking soda
You can mix baking soda with water or hydrogen peroxide to remove stains from your teeth. According to Mackie, this shouldn’t replace toothpaste but could upgrade your daily dental routine.
“Adding baking soda helps remove plaque, balance your mouth’s pH level and helps whiten teeth,” she says. “Plaque builds up on your teeth from bacteria after eating, but brushing regularly and the use of baking soda regularly helps break it down.”
