6 Natural Ways to Whiten Your Teeth at Home

by Abdulsalam Yunusa | Dec 15, 2021 | Health & Wellness

You must have watched and admired the white teeth of popular celebrities and toothpaste advertisers on TV and billboards, making you wish to have teeth as white as theirs and trying several methods possible to achieve that.

While having white teeth does not always translate to having healthy teeth, it can give you that sparkling smile, increasing your overall beauty and confidence.

If you are looking for ways on how to whiten your teeth, then you have surely come to the right place. Follow me as I show you the several ways you can follow to achieve this, and you will be shocked to realize that some of them have been right at your fingertips all this while.

How to Whiten Your Teeth

1. Maintain Excellent Oral Hygiene

The first and simplest step on how to whiten your teeth is to maintain excellent oral hygiene. It serves both as a preventive and curative method for stained teeth. Brush after each meal or at least twice daily with a good toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Rinse periodically with a good mouthwash and floss all the hard-to-reach areas as well. This way, the tooth-staining foods, beverages and bacteria will have less chance of staining your teeth.

There are specially formulated teeth-whitening toothpaste that you can use too. These can be bought from pharmacies, but it is best to seek a dentist’s recommendation on the appropriate one to buy.

Here is a detailed guide on how you can take good care of your teeth.

2. Use Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is a bleaching agent that is used as the active ingredient in most whitening products and it can easily be obtained from a pharmacy. For best results, it is mixed with baking soda and used to brush the teeth twice daily.

While hydrogen peroxide can help you get whiter teeth, caution needs to be exercised on its use due to the possibility of it causing gum irritation and increasing tooth sensitivity. A sensitive tooth makes you uncomfortable whenever you try to drink hot or cold drinks, therefore, its use is not advised for the long term and for people already having sensitive teeth.

3. Use Baking Soda to Brush

Just like hydrogen peroxide, baking soda is also commonly used as one of the ingredients in commercially-available toothpaste and is widely available in the market too. Its natural whitening property is the ability to scrub the stains on the surface of your teeth. It also prevents bacteria from growing in your mouth, by creating an alkaline environment that neutralizes the acid needed by the bacteria to thrive.

Baking soda will not whiten your teeth overnight but you will definitely see results when you use it well.

To achieve this, brush your teeth with a paste of baking soda (mixed with water) or mix with hydrogen peroxide.

4. Dietary and Social Habit Changes Can Do Wonders to Your Teeth

Change in diet is not a substitute for brushing and flossing your teeth, but it works well to prevent your teeth from staining and in reducing the stain from already affected teeth.

By reducing your intake of food and beverages that are known to stain the teeth e.g. dark berries, soda and coffee, you can slow down the process and then replace it with crunchy, raw fruits and vegetables that help to rub away some debris and stains from your teeth. The increased saliva production that results from eating fruits like apples, cleanses your teeth too.

Smoking cigarettes & chewing kola nuts and other nicotine-containing products are among the causes of tooth staining and decay, so to whiten your teeth and protect them from cavities, it is best to cut down on your use of such products.

Read Also: 10 Surprising Foods That Are Bad for Your Breath (No.5 Will Shock You)

5. Have You Tried Oil Pulling?

This simply means the use of oil to wash your mouth. While it is not yet scientifically backed as one of the teeth-whitening methods, it has been in use for a long time and several people have considered it to be effective.

It is simply done by rinsing the mouth with oil for a minute or two after brushing, and then spitting it out.

Coconut oil is the most common oil used, but others such as sesame oil can be used as well.

6. Use Activated Charcoal to White Your Teeth

Activated charcoal is widely available in drug stores nationwide; it is used as part of the ingredients of several toothpaste brands too.

The use of charcoal to clean the teeth has been a common practice for a very long time in this part of the world, even though the exact mechanism of action and evidence of its effectiveness is yet to be proven by science.

To try this, mix the activated charcoal with water to form a paste or simple buy a toothpaste containing it as an active ingredient.

Also Read: 6 Best Ways To Get Rid Of Mouth Odor

Bonus: Visit Your Dentist

While there are several methods on how to whiten your teeth that you can try at home, it is best to meet with a dentist. Your dentist, after evaluating you properly, will know the cause of your stained teeth and how best to whiten them.

The dentist is aware of the possible dangers associated with some methods popularly used, so will ensure that you do not lose your teeth in your attempt to make them sparkling white.

FAQs

Q: Can I whiten my teeth in one week?

A: This depends on the cause of your teeth stain and the methods you are using to remove the stains. Some methods can give you results in a much shorter time, while some will take some time.

Q: which whitening method is best?

A: Whitening methods are not the same for everyone. The best method for you depends on factors like how you got the stain and how much you are ready to spend.

Q: Is teeth whitening safe?

A: Teeth whitening is relatively safe, nevertheless, excessive use of whitening chemicals and abrasives can lead to tooth sensitivity and gum irritation.

Q: Does whitening remove stains?

A: Most methods remove the stains, while others cover the stain up. Though this also depends on the cause of the stains; some are easier to remove than others.

Q: Does having yellow teeth means I am at risk of tooth decay?

A: No. Yellow discolouration of the teeth can be caused by a lot of things, including normal ageing, heredity, type of food or drink you regularly consume. So, sometimes your teeth can be stained, but their structural integrity is intact.

Conclusion

Poor dental hygiene, use of tobacco products, drinking wine, medications like tetracycline and a lot of other factors can prevent you from having the sparkling white teeth and beautiful smile that you so desire.

Now that you know how to whiten your teeth and even prevent them from getting stained, I hope you will share the tips with your family and friends so that they will also benefit.

Have you tried any of the methods above? we would love to hear from you in the comments section.

12 Best Ways to Avoid Tooth Decay (Cavities)

by Abdulsalam Yunusa | Sep 2, 2021 | Health & Wellness

Tooth Decay, commonly known as Cavity, and medically as Dental Caries, is one of the most common diseases that affect people. Tooth decay treatment is the top reason that takes people to the dentist. It is essentially a disease of the modern world as it is strongly related to the high rate of consumption of sugar as well as other refined carbohydrates.

The tooth structure is made up of enamel on its outermost layer, followed by dentin and other structures underneath, as demonstrated in the diagram above. Tooth decay occurs when the defence provided by these structures is affected. So what causes tooth decay?

Causes of Tooth Decay

Just like in other parts of the body, the mouth contains some bacteria living in it. After consuming sugar or carbohydrate-rich food, the bacteria present in the mouth ‘feeds’ on the sugar by fermenting it. This leads to the production of acid that gradually breaks down the teeth structure. Carbohydrate foods usually do not require much chewing, therefore the soft and sticky particles easily get stuck to the teeth, forming dental plaques.

This, coupled with poor dental hygiene will give room for the bacteria to continue fermentation and production of the acid, leading to non-stop breakdown of the teeth structure.

How then will you know that your tooth is decaying?

Symptoms of Tooth Decay

The gradual breakdown of the teeth explained above will result in the following changes

White Spots: These are usually the first changes to occur. The white spots appear on the teeth first and could change to yellow or brown after which the area becomes a cavity (hole).

Cavity: This is a hole in the tooth

Increased tooth sensitivity to hot or cold food or liquids

Tooth Pain. The pain is usually a continuous throbbing one

Bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth

Bleeding gums or other signs of gum disease

Redness around or inside the mouth

Facial swelling

NB: the symptoms above may not all appear on the same patient due to differences in severity.

Tooth Decay Treatment

Diagnosis of tooth decay is done by examination of the mouth by a certified dentist. It is possible for you to have some of the symptoms without seeing the decay itself; a dental X-ray will help to confirm the diagnosis.

Here is what you need to know about tooth decay treatment.

1. Pain Management

Tooth decay usually comes with severe pain making you very uncomfortable. Pain is usually the first thing that you would like to go away. Avoiding extremely hot or cold food and taking some pain relievers will help reduce the pain.

Your dentist will prescribe appropriate ones for you.

2. Fluoride Treatment

In the early stage of tooth decay, treatment with fluoride might be all you need to get better. This can be in form of tubes of toothpaste, mouthwashes, or fluoride medications.

After evaluating you, your dentist will recommend the best ones for you.

3. Tooth Fillings

If the decay is deep, your teeth will be drilled to remove all the decayed parts and will subsequently be filled with substances like silver or composite resins.

4. Use of Crowns

For extensively decayed teeth, the material is put on it to serve as a “cap”. This will replace the natural crown that has decayed.

5. Tooth extraction

If your tooth has decayed beyond repair, the best thing to do is to remove it. After removal, a tooth implant will be put to replace the removed tooth.

How Do You Prevent Cavities?

Here is what you can do to prevent yourself and your loved ones from ever having this painful experience or spending a fortune in tooth decay treatment.

1. Maintain Good Dental Hygiene

You need to take good care of your teeth to avoid decay and bad breath.

2. Brush After Each Meal

By brushing your teeth after each meal, you tend to reduce the chances of bacteria having food remnants ferment, produce acid and ultimately damage the teeth structure.

This is one of the most effective means of preventing tooth decay.

3. Use A Good Toothbrush

A good toothbrush matters too. You need a brush with flexible bristles that can bend and reach the hard-to-reach areas of the teeth.

4. Take Your Time While Brushing

To get the best results, take your time and brush for at least two minutes per session. This is considered to be the minimum recommended period.

5. Use a Fluoride Containing Toothpaste

Toothpaste containing fluoride creates a protective film around the teeth that prevents the mouth acid from causing damage to the teeth. Fluoride is also used for tooth decay treatment.

Meet your dentist or pharmacist to recommend a good toothpaste for you.

6. Don’t Forget to Floss

Brushing your teeth alone is not complete. You are expected to floss as well on a daily basis or several times a week. Here is a quick guide on how you can floss.

7. Use a Mouthwash

Sometimes, brushing twice or thrice a day might not be enough, and it would not be easy for you to move around with your toothbrush all the time.

Don’t worry, there are mouthwashes available that will do just the trick. You can get them from drug and grocery stores around you. Use them to rinse your mouth regularly.

8. Do Not Rinse Immediately After Brushing

This is a common mistake many people do. By rinsing too quickly, you wash off the protective film that fluoride creates around your teeth; just spit the excess and leave the rest to do their work.

9. Visit Your Dentist at Least Twice a Year

It is important you visit a dentist every year to have an oral examination that will detect any problem with your teeth.

10. Cut Down on Sugary and Starchy Food Intake

As earlier explained, bacteria feast on the sugar and other carbohydrate remnants in your mouth. So, when you reduce your intake, you automatically reduce the chances of bacteria producing tooth-destructive acid in your mouth.

Foods like soft drinks are bad for you, and you should avoid constant intake.

11. Eat More Vegetables

Green leafy vegetables such as spinach contain nutrients that are very good for your teeth, gums and body in general.

Chewing the crunchy vegetables also helps to remove dirt from your teeth.

12.. Avoid A Dry Mouth

Some medications can cause dryness of the mouth; if you are on such medications, talk to your doctor to see if it can be replaced with other medication.

You can also take sips of water frequently and chew sugarless gum.

12. Avoid Smoking or Drinking Alcohol

Avoid these two as they can reduce saliva production and help in damaging the tooth structures.

Conclusion

Now that you have learnt about tooth decay treatment, causes and prevention, please do not hesitate to share with your family and friends.

We would love to hear your comments after reading this.

6 Best Ways to Get Rid of Mouth Odor

by Abdulsalam Yunusa | Mar 31, 2021 | Health & Wellness

You have probably had an embarrassing experience with bad breath or you know someone suffering from it. Well, you are not alone. About 50% of the world’s population are experiencing it too.

While bad breath can be caused by some diseases, diet and even taking some drugs, the number one cause is poor oral hygiene; and apart from the unpleasant mouth odor, one is also exposed to several diseases and risks losing self-confidence in public. Therefore, the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene cannot be overemphasized.

Here are easy steps for getting around the clock fresh breath, clean teeth and an overall increase in confidence.

Tips to Prevent Mouth Odor 

1. Do Not Rinse Too Early

Tooth decay is an important cause of bad breath. The fluoride in your toothpaste is there to prevent tooth decay, so, by rinsing your mouth too early after brushing, you will wash off the protective plaque that fluoride creates around your teeth.

Henceforth, you should not rinse as soon as you’re done brushing; spit the excess and leave the rest to continue their protective job.

2. Use a Mouthwash

Sometimes brushing twice a day might not be enough, and it wouldn’t be easy for one to move around with a toothbrush all the time.

Don’t worry, there are mouthwashes available that will do just the trick. You can get them from stores around you. Use them to rinse your mouth whenever you feel there’s a change to your breath.

3. Take Your Time While Brushing

The average person brushes just for about 45seconds. This isn’t enough. Dentists advise that brushing should last for about 2-minutes. This is enough time to reach those stubborn bacteria hiding in your mouth.

4. Brush and Floss

A thorough brushing is good but not good enough. Some of the bacteria that could cause you to have bad breath could be hiding in places that cannot be easily reached by toothbrushes; this is why flossing is important.

Here’s a quick guide on how to floss your teeth.

5. Always Keep Hydrated

The saliva in your mouth has several functions that include keeping your mouth moist and washing tiny food particles.

Dryness of the mouth could be caused by some diseases, medications and even smoking; ultimately resulting in bad breath. The effect could be reduced by taking water as frequently as possible to keep the mouth moist.

6. Watch What You Eat

I know how sweet it is when you eat your suya with fresh onions or spice your pepper soup with garlic, but it might be best to avoid it especially when you are going to meet with other people. The foul odour from this duo and similar food can really make people uncomfortable around you.

The bad news is that brushing alone usually doesn’t take the smell away, because, after digestion, the odour-causing chemicals in the garlic and onion will be absorbed into the blood and then taken to the lungs where it will be slowly exhaled.

Conclusion

If you’ve done all these and you’re still having bad breath, it is best to meet a dentist who will find out any other underlying cause and treat it.

7 Natural Ways to Get Rid of Menstrual Cramps

by Abdulsalam Yunusa | Nov 28, 2020 | Health & Wellness

From the age of puberty to that of menopause, a lot of ladies experience a monthly pain spanning over a few days associated with their menstrual period. This pain is generally known as menstrual cramps and medically as dysmenorrhea.

As a lady, menstruation occurs to prepare your body for a possible pregnancy. This leads to extra thickening of your uterus. If intercourse and fertilization do not occur, the extra thickening is no longer needed thus it will be shed as menstrual blood.

To ensure that this happens, the blood supply will be cut from reaching the extra thickened layer, thus depriving it of oxygen and other essential nutrients. Without blood, it will begin to die off and the body will respond by releasing some hormone-like substances known as prostaglandins.

This, together with the spasmodic movement of the uterus to expel the ‘unneeded’ extra uterine layer is the reason for the pain experienced especially in the first few days of menstruation.

What Can You Do to Get Rid of Menstrual Cramps?

A lot of ladies while experiencing period pains, rush to take Over-The-Counter drugs like Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Feldene and Diclofenac. While this will provide relief from the pain, its long term usage — especially without a prescription— is likely to do more harm than good. These drugs, known as NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs), could lead to diseases like peptic ulcer, aggravate gastric bleeding, and cause indigestion, diarrhoea, heartburn among others.

Now that you know this, it will be wise to switch to natural methods that will provide relief from the cramps without exposing you to more diseases.

Menstrual Cramp Natural Remedies

While some of these menstrual cramp natural remedies are yet to be proven scientifically, a lot of ladies have attested to their effectiveness in getting relief. This includes:

1. Use of Heat

This is done by gently applying a heating pad over the area. You can do this locally by filling a bottle with hot water, wrapping the bottle in a piece of clean cloth then rubbing it gently on your lower abdominal area, and sometimes back and thighs. A hot water compress (using a piece of clothing) or hot shower can also be done.

There are also other ways of making a heating pad.

The heat helps to relax the spasmodic uterine muscles and also improves blood flow. This helps a lot with the pain. A lot of women that use this method have found it to be very effective in getting rid of menstrual cramps.

2. Hydration

Body water is sometimes lost through vomiting and diarrhoea during menstruation. The cramps can be made more severe as a result of dehydration. Therefore, taking enough water helps to reduce the symptoms and is generally good for the health.

NB: Alcohol consumption should be avoided because it also causes dehydration.

3. Exercise

While exercise is generally recommended due to its numerous health benefits, it is also one of the menstrual cramp natural remedies. Performing exercises especially a few days before the period and within the first few days of the period has proven to be helpful.

Yoga is also a good substitute.

4. Acupuncture

This age-long Asian practice has been recorded to help reduce body pain by calming the nervous system. The practice of puncturing certain areas of the skin (acupuncture) and applying pressure on certain parts of the body (acupressure), both helps to get relief from menstrual cramps.

It is recommended that one gets an expert first before going for this method.

5. Massage

Massaging the areas where the pain is felt, I.e. the lower abdominal area, thigh and lower back, is also helpful. This is because blood flow is improved and the muscle is relaxed.

Massaging the area by using essential oils like lavender is said to give better results.

6. Tea

Drinking warm tea has also proven to be helpful. However, the tea must be caffeine-free, because caffeine worsens the symptoms. Herbal tea is preferred due to the antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory effects of the herbs.

A good example is ginger and mint tea.

7. Choose What Foods to Eat As A Menstruating Woman

Foods rich in nutrients like Vitamins, calcium, magnesium, iron reduce bloating, ease the pain and replace nutrients lost during menstruation. Food rich in fibre is also recommended.

You need to avoid or reduce the intake of excess sugar, fats and salts as all these aggravate the symptoms. You should consult a dietician to design a suitable meal plan for you based on your financial strength.

Is there any other natural method you know of? Please do let us know in the comments section.