Be cautious with the “1-minute home trick” claims. There is no safe household ingredient that can dramatically whiten teeth in one minute.
For a brighter smile
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Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and a soft toothbrush.
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Whitening toothpaste can help remove surface stains, particularly from tea, coffee, or tobacco, but it won’t change the natural color of the tooth dramatically.
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Dentist-supervised or reputable peroxide-based whitening products can lighten natural tooth color over time.
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Professional cleaning can remove tartar and some external staining.
Avoid rubbing teeth with lemon juice, vinegar, salt, charcoal, or undiluted baking soda. Acidic or abrasive substances can wear away enamel and make teeth more sensitive.
Also, whitening products generally don’t whiten crowns, fillings, veneers, or other dental restorations.
If your teeth have suddenly become yellow, gray, or brown, or you have pain or sensitivity, a dental examination is more appropriate than a DIY whitening treatment.
