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Teeth whitening at home
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025

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Teeth whitening at home, despite the abundance of methods of professional procedures that offer to make your smile snow-white, still arouses interest in many. It should be noted right away that you should hardly expect any unrivaled effect from these methods, but you can still try some methods.
Teeth Whitening at Home with Hydrogen Peroxide
Teeth whitening with hydrogen peroxide
Teeth whitening with hydrogen peroxide involves the use of a modern, effective tool - teeth whitening with a pencil. In addition to a whitening pencil, special strips give the same effect. The pencil for teeth whitening contains a small, safe percentage of hydrogen peroxide (up to 8%), as well as polishing, soft substances that add shine, and oils of natural origin. The pencil should be used no more than twice a day for two weeks. As a rule, the desired whitening effect is achieved during this period. If desired, after taking a break, the procedure can be repeated.
Before starting the procedure, it is recommended to thoroughly brush your teeth with a fluoride-containing toothpaste. Then rinse your mouth with a three percent solution of hydrogen peroxide diluted equally with water for one minute. After finishing, spit out the solution and rinse your mouth with water, do not drink water or eat food for half an hour. This procedure can be done every day.
If you add baking soda to the peroxide until it becomes a thick mass, you can clean your teeth with the resulting mixture. It is recommended to apply the mixture to the surface of the teeth and leave it there for one and a half to two minutes. After the procedure, rinse your mouth with water. You can also whiten your teeth at home using a one percent solution of peroxide diluted with water and salt, after which you should brush your teeth with a soft brush. When using peroxide, you should consider the following: children under twelve years of age are prohibited from using peroxide; if you experience a burning sensation or hyperemia of the gums, this method is also contraindicated. Use only fresh peroxide solution for the procedure, since it loses its active properties when in contact with oxygen. Also, do not forget to test for an allergic reaction before starting the procedure - apply a little peroxide to the skin.
Teeth whitening at home with activated charcoal
This remedy has been known since ancient times, when wood ash was used to clean teeth. The charcoal tablet should be chewed thoroughly, after which the cleaning procedure should be continued with a dry brush. Alternatively, a small amount of charcoal can be added directly to toothpaste.
Using soda
Soda is the next remedy that allows you to whiten your teeth at home. It should be immediately noted that soda has a destructive effect on tooth enamel and gums, so you should not use it more than once every seven days. It is better to use soda as an auxiliary remedy, observing reasonable proportions. The procedure is carried out in approximately the same way as in the cases of peroxide and coal, you can use soda together with toothpaste.
Whitening strips
Whitening strips are a unique product in the form of a thin film with gel, which allows you to whiten your teeth at home. This process is quite simple and does not take much time. The strip is glued to the teeth for twenty-five to thirty minutes twice a day. The procedure is repeated daily for a week. The positive effect of the application becomes noticeable approximately on the third day after the start of use, in total, this method allows you to whiten your teeth by three to four tones. This teeth whitening at home does not damage the enamel structure.
Lemon juice or zest
Lemon juice or zest not only whitens teeth, but also prevents bleeding gums. Rub your teeth and gums with the white side of the lemon peel, then rinse your mouth with water. To whiten enamel in hard-to-reach places, it is recommended to chew the lemon peel for two to three minutes. If your teeth are hypersensitive, it is better to avoid this method. You can also use water with a few drops of lemon juice added to rinse your mouth.
Silicone caps
Silicone caps are professional teeth whitening at home. You can choose them at a pharmacy or order them from a dentist. The doctor will help you choose the right caps and tell you in detail how to use them correctly. Before use, a special gel is applied to the caps, then they are put on the teeth and left for six to seven hours. If the gel gets on the gums, discomfort may occur, which usually goes away later.
Whitening toothpastes
Whitening toothpastes are the simplest and most acceptable method for home use. Such pastes may contain both chemical and abrasive substances. It should be noted that they cannot be used in case of increased sensitivity and periodontal diseases. The range of these products is quite large and is widely represented by such brands as Colgate, Blend-a-med, Aquafresh, Lacalut.
Application of special pastes
The paste should contain small abrasive substances that remove primary plaque and polish the surface of the tooth enamel. Pastes may also contain substances that ferment protein deposits. The size of the abrasive particles is regulated by the international standard and the RDA index. The most effective and safe for hard dental tissue are products with an RDA of 100 to 250 units. Sensitive teeth require a lower index - from 25 to 75 units. It should be noted that the use of whitening pastes does not always give a positive effect, rather, it is a preventive measure that does not allow tartar and plaque from nicotine, tea or coffee to accumulate.
Teeth whitening with active glosses
The procedure can also be carried out using special, active glosses. Glosses are used in exceptional cases when you need to urgently get the effect of a "Hollywood smile". Frequent use of gloss is unacceptable, since this product is extremely aggressive towards tooth enamel.
The most popular products are considered to be whitening kits, thanks to which teeth whitening at home has become almost a routine procedure, the same as periodic hair coloring or depilation. The course of application of products from a dental whitening kit can last about a month. The gel included in the kit is applied to special mouth guards, which in turn are put on at night (more convenient than during the day). Mouth guards can be ordered in dental salons if there is an incorrect bite or other problems.
If you decide to whiten your teeth at home, you should first prepare your teeth for this process. To do this, eat dairy products, fresh fruits and vegetables every day, and brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste. The process of preparing for such a procedure as teeth whitening at home should last about twenty-five to thirty days. In order to maintain the effect obtained as a result of all the above procedures for as long as possible, it would be advisable to refuse nicotine, coffee, wine, sweet soda, and other products containing dyes. To maintain a snow-white and beautiful smile, visit the dentist at least once every four to five months.