Preventing plaque and stains
A DULL smile can ruin the polished look you are going for, especially if you are concerned about your self-image. According to studies, a nice smile makes one more approachable and trustworthy. It can even boost your employment potential. Beyond aesthetics, plaque and stains can be a sign or even the cause of more serious ailments.
High costs associated with visits to the dentist can dissuade you from seeking professional help. On the other hand, store-bought items often contain harsh chemical components. When scrutinising the fine print, many of those items have alarming possible side effects. Fortunately, home remedies are available for the priceconscious.
“A dull smile can ruin the polished look you are going for, especially if you are concerned about your self-image. According to studies, a nice smile makes one more approachable and trustworthy.”
Identifying the issue
The first step is to identify the cause of your dental trouble. Roll your tongue over your teeth. Feels grimy? That’s plaque. A thin layer of plaque constantly builds up in your mouth thanks to bacteria. If it is not removed, it adds the much dreaded yellowish hue to your pearly whites.
Enamel is the outermost layer of a tooth. It is translucent soft beige to white. Its porous nature means that it is susceptible to staining. The supporting layer underneath is living tissue, dentin, which shows through the enamel as pale yellow.
Stains can occur as a result of prolonged bad dental hygiene habits. Stains may be extrinsic or intrinsic. The former refers to stains on the enamel, while the latter, stains on the dentin.
Foods and beverages can cause extrinsic stains. As a rule of thumb, cloth-staining liquids can stain the teeth - think soy sauce, red wine, curry, tomato sauce, etc. But it does not mean you have to abandon nasi lemak and other colourful concoctions.
A little brushing post-meal reduces the risk of staining. Be sure to wait at least 30 minutes before brushing to avoid catching your teeth in their weakened state. For beverages, using a straw minimises the liquid’s contact with your teeth.
However, despite diligent brushing, you may still feel that your teeth are yellow. Firstly, it’s important to know that you are your own worst critic and hence the perceived yellowness may just come from being too self-critical.
But, if it is too yellow, it could be due to your teeth ageing, and research has shown that trauma speeds up ageing. The dentin grows darker as it ages, hence giving an overall yellowish appearance to the teeth. Grinding, for example, puts stress on your dentition, speeding up the ageing of the dentin and wearing down the enamel.
When using home remedies:
Ensure you are not allergic to any of the ingredients you will be using. In case of any discomfort, discontinue the usage and consult an expert.
Know what to expect. Safe DIYS can only do surface whitening. Their purpose is limited to restoring what was once clean, and not solving underlying issues.
Remember that maintaining clean and healthy teeth requires constant routine care.
Activated charcoal
For those who cannot trust sparkly blue toothpaste, alternatives are also available. Not to be confused with charcoal briquettes used for barbecues, activated charcoal is a cosmetic trend used by many celebrities.
To use it, dip a wet toothbrush into activated charcoal powder. Work the powder onto your teeth in gentle circular motions and let sit for two minutes. Rinse your mouth until the spit is clear.
Oil pulling
Oil pulling involves swishing a tablespoon of your choice of edible oil, typically sunflower, sesame or coconut, for between five and 20 minutes before spitting it out and rinsing thoroughly.
It is not an alternative to the brush, floss and scrape routine but rather a complement. Oil pulling promotes good mouth flora while dislodging stray food bits.
Lastly, do not wait to seek expert help. Paying visits to the dentist biannually and getting regular check-ups can spare you from the agony of a bad tooth and the expenses that come with treating it.