The white stuff on your teeth is plaque, and it collects stains from coffee, colas and smoking. Plaque removal can be difficult because of how teeth are positioned and the shape of your mouth. According to the Doctors Book of Home Remedies, teeth are not naturally white, as we like to think. They are actually yellowish, and stains are accentuated when plaque is present.
Step 1
Brush your teeth after every meal using an electric toothbrush. According to the Doctors Book of Home Remedies, an electric toothbrush removes 98.2 percent of the plaque that builds up on your teeth.
Step 2
Mix baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to form a paste. This scrubs your teeth by providing a deep exfoliation. Avoid using more hydrogen peroxide than necessary; this can lead to burning, according to the Doctors Book of Home Remedies.
Step 3
Floss daily to remove plaque and food particles from between teeth. According to MayoClinic.com, break off at least 18 inches of floss from the container. Wind the floss around your middle finger on both hands and using your forefinger and thumb, push the floss through the spaces between your teeth. Gently rub the sides of each tooth to remove unwanted plaque. After flossing one tooth, unwind the floss from one finger until you have clean floss to use on the next tooth. Repeat until all teeth have been cleaned.
Step 4
Swish an antibacterial mouthwash over your teeth and tongue after brushing your teeth. These mouthwashes dissolve plaque while preventing further formation of it.
Step 5
Rinse your mouth with water after eating when brushing is not an option. Rinsing your mouth loosens trapped food particles and prevents plaque and stains from settling into tooth enamel.
Step 6
Avoid tooth whitening polishes and pastes. According to the Doctors Book of Home Remedies, tooth whitening products are too abrasive on enamel and can cause scratches, which cause plaque to become trapped and increase staining.
Step 7
Replace your toothbrush every three to four months to prevent redistribution of plaque and bacteria. MayoClinic.com suggests sooner replacement for frayed bristles; this could cause infection and further staining.
Things You'll Need
- Electric toothbrush
- Baking soda
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Water
- Dental floss
- Antibacterial mouthwash
