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It’s funny how we’ve all been brushing our teeth on repeat yet most of us don’t have a great set of pearly whites. The reason is pretty obvious though – the technique and the frequency matter, apart from the choice of oral care products of course. Still confused? Let’s take up your case as an example. You religiously brush your teeth twice a day yet battle stains and cavities. After all, that’s why you’re here, no? This is when you should pause and question if you’re brushing your teeth right.
Before you learn how to brush your teeth the correct way and how to remove yellow teeth, it’s essential to understand your teeth's structure better, the importance of cleansing your teeth properly, and how to clean them the right way.
Types of Teeth
Adults ideally have 32 teeth, which include 4 types of teeth:
8 Incisors:
You’ve 4 incisors in each jaw, 2 on each side. These incisors are shaped like small, chisel-shaped and are used to bite into food.
4 Canines:
You’ve 2 canines in each jaw, 1 on each side, right next to the incisors. These canines are the sharpest with pointy surfaces that are used for ripping food apart.
8 Premolars:
You’ve 4 premolars in each jaw, 2 on each side, next to the canine. Bigger than the incisors and canines, they’re used for chewing food.
12 Molars:
You’ve 6 molars in each jaw, 3 on each side, next to the premolars. Molars have a larger surface area to break up food easily into tinier pieces.
Causes Of Yellow Teeth
Although yellow teeth are a common condition, there are certain causes that can lead to them, here are a few causes:
Age:
With age, the enamel on our teeth starts wearing off, making our teeth yellow and stained even with the lightest of pigmented foods.
Food:
Coloured foods with caffeine and alcohol can wear down your enamel and stain your teeth. Naturally pigmented foods such as blueberry, coffee, tea, beetroot, wine, and other alcohol can make your teeth appear yellow. Even smoking can make your teeth dull.
Unhygienic Practices:
If you don’t brush your teeth twice a day, forget to brush your teeth after a particularly stained meal, smoke too often, or even don’t clean your gums and tongue, chances are your teeth will turn yellow.
Importance Of Cleaning Teeth At Home
Apart from the aesthetics of it, cleaning your teeth regularly is actually a hygiene and health issue. It helps prevent tooth decay and eventual loss. It also improves the strength of your gums. Other than the visual appeal, keeping your teeth clean also helps keep bad breath at bay.
How To Clean Teeth Correctly
Step 1: Squeeze a dime-sized amount of toothpaste on the head of your toothbrush.
Step 2: Holding the brush at a 45° angle towards your gum line, brush the outer surfaces of your front teeth (incisors and canines) gently in circular motions.
Step 3: Glide forward to reach the chewing surfaces of the molars and premolars at the back. Use a light back-and-forth motion to clean these teeth.
Step 4: Now flip the toothbrush and clean the inner surfaces of all your teeth at the top.
Step 5: Now brush your tongue starting from the back towards the front to get rid of plaque that settles while brushing your teeth.
Step 6: After a thorough 2-minute brushing routine, spit out the remnants of the paste and rinse your mouth with cold water.
How To Clean Teeth at Home
We’ve rounded up quick fixes to help de-colonize the bacteria in your mouth and lead you to lesser dental troubles.
1. Aloe Vera
Concern: Cavities
Method:
- Extract 1 tablespoon of Aloe Vera gel with the help of a spoon.
- Place the gel on your toothbrush and brush your teeth with it for 5 minutes.
- Rinse your mouth with water.
2. Sesame Seed Oil
Concern: Tartar
Method:
- Add a spoon of Sesame Seed Oil to a cup of lukewarm water.
- Use this to gargle your mouth for 10 minutes and then spit it out.
- Rinse your mouth with water.
3. Activated Charcoal
Concern: Stained teeth
Method:
- Drop 1 tablespoon of Activated Charcoal powder on your toothbrush.
- Brush your teeth with it for 5 minutes.
- Rinse your mouth with water.
4. Lemon Peel
Concern: Yellow teeth
Method:
- Scrub your teeth with the inside of a Lemon Peel.
- Leave it on for 3 minutes and then brush your teeth like how you normally do.
- Rinse your mouth with water.
5. Apple Cider Vinegar
Concern: Stained teeth
Method:
- Add 2 tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar to a cup of water and stir well.
- Gargle your mouth with this solution for a minute.
- Rinse your mouth with water.
6. Banana Peel
Concern: Black spots
Method:
- Peel a Banana and slice it into small pieces.
- Take a piece and rub it gently all over your teeth for 2 minutes.
- Brush your teeth with your regular toothpaste.
7. Orange Essential Oil
Concern: Plaque
Method:
- Pour 2 drops of Orange Essential Oil on your toothbrush and then squeeze your regular toothpaste over it.
- Brush your teeth with this mixture.
- Rinse your mouth with water.
8. Coconut Oil
Concern: Cavities
Method:
- Pour a tablespoon of Coconut Oil into your mouth.
- Swish this around for about 2 minutes and then spit it out.
- Rinse your mouth with water.
9. Rock Salt and Lime
Concern: Tooth decay
Method:
- Mix 2 tablespoons of Lime juice and 1/2 tablespoon of Rock Salt in a bowl.
- Brush your teeth with this coarse paste.
- Rinse your mouth with lukewarm water.
10. Turmeric powder
Concern: Stained teeth
Method:
- Drop 1/4th tablespoon of Turmeric powder on your toothpaste.
- Brush your teeth for at least 2 minutes.
- Rinse your mouth well with water.
11. Guava Leaves
Concern: Root infections
Method:
- Crush 3 Guava Leaves till it forms a coarse paste.
- Now apply this paste to your teeth and let it stay for 2 minutes.
- Rinse your mouth with water.
12. Strawberry
Concern: Black spots
Method:
- Mash 2 Strawberries in a bowl and add 1 tablespoon of Baking Soda. Mix it well.
- Apply this paste all over your teeth and let it sit for 2 minutes.
- Rinse your mouth with cold water.
13. Clove Essential Oil
Concern: Toothache
Method:
- Dip a cotton swab in Clove Essential Oil and wring out the excess.
- Place the swab on the affected tooth and hold it for 5 minutes.
- Remove it and rinse your mouth with water.
14. Garlic
Concern: Tooth sensitivity
Method:
- Crush a Garlic clove in a bowl and sprinkle some salt and water on it.
- Apply this mixture to the affected tooth and let it sit for 5 minutes.
- Brush your teeth as usual and rinse off.
15. Amla powder
Concern: Loose teeth
Method:
- In a bowl of water, add 1 tablespoon of Alma powder. Mix it well.
- Gargle your mouth with this mixture for 10 minutes.
- Rinse off with water.
Parting Thoughts
Believe it or not, there is a right way how to clean your teeth when it comes to dull, stained, and yellow teeth. There are a lot of home remedies you can try to remove the tartar and stains while improving strength, quality, and overall appearance.
FAQs
-
How to whiten teeth with baking soda?
Step 1: Add 1 tablespoon of Baking Soda to a cup of water. Mix to form a paste.
Step 2: Use this paste to brush your teeth for 2 minutes.
Step 3: Rinse your mouth with water. -
How to remove plaque from teeth with the right toothpaste?
Regular brushing with these toothpastes can help target plaque.
-
How to remove stains from teeth with the right products?
Regular brushing with these toothpastes can help target stains on teeth.
-
How to clean yellow teeth without using any chemicals?
To clean yellow teeth, you can take to regular gargling with Coconut Oil and Eucalyptus Oil, or use diluted Apple Cider Vinegar as a mouthwash. As far as diet is concerned, fruits like Strawberries and Pineapples and calcium-rich foods, such as Milk and Broccoli, can help whiten your teeth.
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