We all love Elvin Ng’s fun-loving personality and charismatic smile. But is it possible to get a *ting ting* smile like Elvin Ng’s pearly whites without breaking the bank? Continue reading to learn how to whiten your teeth effectively without the use of an expensive toothpaste or gel.

 

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Culprits of Yellow Teeth

Heard of the saying “yellow yellow dirty fellow”? If it is not obvious enough, improper brushing and flossing techniques will result in yellowish teeth! While yellow teeth may be a sign of careless brushing and non-existent flossing techniques, most of us overlook how lifestyle habits stain and tarnish our chompers.

 

Caffeine

Coffee and tea can do serious damage to your pearlie whites. Your teeth actually contain little ridges and cracks too small for the naked eye and the dark pigments of coffee and tea love marking their territory in those grooves and ridges! Over time, these pigments can cause permanent yellow stains on your teeth!

 

“What if I add milk to my coffee or tea?” I hear you ask.

 

Well, unfortunately, adding milk won’t help. Your coffee will still stain your teeth. Goodluck with that, my dear coffee lovers. 🙁

 

 

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Smoking

Ever seen those graphic and gruesome images on top of cigarette packs and wondered if those images were legit or were they just to scare teens off from smoking?

 

Truth is, cigars have nicotine and tar which stain your teeth quickly. Not to mention, this vice is the leading cause of oral cancers and gum diseases. If you think you look cool smoking… think again.

 

Excessive use of Fluoride

While fluoride is good for teeth and is found in many of our toothpaste and mouthwashes, excessive fluoride use can cause yellowish brown spots called Fluorosis. These spots aren’t from poor oral care, but it is an eyesore and won’t flatter anyone. Read more expert advice on Fluorosis here.

 

So what is the best way to whiten your teeth?
Not everyone has the money to splurge on luxurious dental whitening treatments, expensive gel or custom dental veneers to achieve the perfect smile. Here at Beauty Insider, we got you the easiest ways to naturally whiten your teeth!

 

Charcoal brushing
Hear me out – brushing with a toothpaste with the power of black charcoal to whiten your teeth seems absolutely ridiculous and counterintuitive but it actually works! Activated carbon absorbs plaque and other microscopic stuff that cause nasty teeth stains. While it is a temporary solution, this method is great for last-minute dinner parties or events where you need to impress.

Play around with lip colours
If charcoal brushing isn’t effective enough to lighten those stains, try changing up your lip colour! Cool-toned lip colours will conceal those yellowish teeth! 

Be good friends with straws
No one ever said you had to give up your beloved teh or kopi o for whiter teeth. What you do need to give up though, is sipping them straight from the cup. If you’re drinking cold coffee, use straws! It may seem unnecessarily bougie, but straws help to take your beverage straight down to your throat, avoid any sort of contact with your teeth.

 

 

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Stop smoking
What else is left to say? It’s harmful to your health and it stains your teeth. Start slow by gradually reducing the number of sticks you smoke every day and replace your smoke breaks with activities like grabbing an ice cream with friends. It’s impossible to just quit smoking immediately so start by making small daily goals to quit and soon you’ll reach there.

 

Snack on strawberries
A healthy diet gives you a set of healthy teeth. Give up all those harmful potato chips and prawn crackers and exchange them for healthy fruits and vegetables! Berries contain antioxidants and other beneficial compounds that may benefit your teeth in the long run. Take advantage of this superfood to whiten your chompers without ingesting a bunch of chemicals on the side!

 

Use Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple Cider Vinegar contains acetic acid and enzymes and probiotics that help with eliminating germs while encouraging the growth of “good” bacteria. With its natural acidity, it breaks down plaque and removes stains from your teeth! For best results, use apple cider vinegar as a mouthwash for at least a month. Make sure to always rinse the apple cider vinegar off with water as it may erode your enamel away in the long term if you don’t be careful!

When it comes to teeth whitening, results always show gradually so be patient and consistent and you’ll definitely see results! Always monitor your progress and watch out for any signs of pain or sensitivity when it comes to using any of the tips we recommended. If you experience any major discomfort, stop immediately and seek for a dentist’s advice!

 

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