7 Affordable Teeth Whitening Tips, According to Dentists
Written by: Melissa Fiorenza
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Contrary to popular belief, teeth aren’t naturally white. And when you toss in factors like stain-causing foods and drinks, poor dental hygiene, certain medications, and tobacco use, your hopes of having shiny, pearly chompers can fade as quickly as their color—especially if your savings account doesn’t allow for cosmetic procedures.
Turns out, however, there are quite a few ways you can maintain (or improve) the whiteness of your teeth that don’t involve expensive equipment. We asked dentists for their best tips that cost next to nothing. Take a look.
1. Avoid certain drinks.
Beverages like coffee, tea, and red wine can all lead to staining teeth, says Dr. Katrina Zhao, Principal Dentist at Midas Dental in Sydney, Australia. (If you really want to get into it, there’s a fascinating study on the acid compound in a coffee bean that causes external discoloration of the tooth enamel, but that’s for another day.) What if you can’t live without your daily java or glass of Malbec? “If you consume these items, brush your teeth afterward to help remove any residue,” she says.
2. Use a straw.
Here’s another tip for your beloved beverages. Start drinking your soda or coffee through a straw, says Dr. Kami Hoss, a world-renowned dentist, and author of If Your Mouth Could Talk. “I understand that giving these beverages up completely can be difficult for some, but switching to using a straw to consume them is much better for your teeth.” Using a straw will reduce the liquid’s contact with your teeth, helping you to keep them whiter for longer, he explains. If you can give up drinking soda completely, Dr. Hoss adds, that would be optimal for keeping your teeth white. “But using a straw is a great way to reach a happy medium.”
3. Eat crunchy fruits and vegetables.
You already know your diet should consist of lots of fruits and veggies, but here’s another reason to incorporate them—and crunchy ones in particular. “Eating crunchy fruits and vegetables can help to remove surface stains from the teeth. Fruits and vegetables like apples, celery, and carrots are all great choices,” advises Dr. Zhao. (Why not give this Apple & Brussels Sprouts Salad recipe a try?)
4. Drink lots of water throughout the day.
Here’s a tip that costs absolutely nothing: Stay on top of your daily H20 intake. “Drinking water throughout the day helps maintain hydration levels, and it also helps keep your mouth moist,” says Dr. Ankit Patel, CEO of 24/7 Dental.”When you drink lots of water throughout the day, you are ensuring that your oral microbiome is healthy. We can't say with certainty if drinking water actually whitens teeth, but there's no denying that it keeps them looking their best!”
5. Stay away from this kind of toothpaste.
You’ve probably heard a lot about the miracles of charcoal on teeth, but buyer beware. “Recently, dentists have noticed an influx of charcoal-based toothpastes. Awesome packaging and great marketing, but not the smartest choice,” says Dr. Cindy Roark, Senior Vice President & Chief Clinical Officer at Sage Dental. “Charcoal pastes tend to work by abrasion. In other words, they will work to ‘wear away’ stains on teeth. While this might be desirable at first, over time patients generally experience a yellowing of their teeth.”
6. Stay plaque-free.
“It would be prudent to stay on top of your oral hygiene, which means brushing twice a day and flossing before you go to bed,” says Dr. David Chen, a Long Island City, NY-based dentist.
The reasoning, he adds, is because your plaque can and will pick up staining. “The good news is that since plaque is very soft, you can easily brush and floss it off.” And get this: Most “whitening toothpastes” don’t actually contain any whitening ingredient within them, he says. “They mostly whiten your teeth via mechanical abrasion or, in other words, remove food or stained plaque that is on the surface of your teeth.” One toothpaste he does recommend? Colgate Optic White, which contains hydrogen peroxide.
7. Don’t miss your dental appointments.
Sounds obvious, but for a lot of people, it’s tempting to blow off or continuously reschedule dental appointments. In fact, in 2021, a survey by the American Association of Endodontists found that more than half of Americans put off routine dental visits due to Covid-19. If you’re feeling comfortable enough now to go, do it. Dr. Chen explains, “If you don't manage to brush off the plaque before you go to bed, it may turn hard into a calcified substance called tartar. Tartar can also pick up staining but unfortunately for you, only a dentist can remove it. This is why it is important to get your dental cleaning every six months so that your dentist can remove any stained tartar on your teeth.”
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