| How to Get Whiter Teeth at Home Posted: 08 Jun 2020 05:00 PM PDT While you may want a mouth full of shiny, white teeth, a professional whitening treatment is expensive. Luckily, if your teeth aren't as white as you'd like them to be, there are some things you can try at home for a whiter smile. While none of these suggestions will work in the same way as a professional whitening service, they can help whiten your teeth and they won't cost you a fortune. Just remember to talk to your dentist before you try any home remedies to make sure they won't damage your teeth. With these simple steps, you can enjoy a whiter smile in a few weeks. [Edit]Using Whitening Strips - Get ADA-approved whitening strips. These kits contain 2 sets of strips that go on your upper and lower teeth. Go to your local pharmacy and check the tooth care section for whitening strips. Look for the American Dental Association seal of approval to demonstrate that this product is safe.[1]
- Brush and floss your teeth if the instructions tell you to. This removes any buildup on your teeth that could block the whitening gel or stop the strips from sticking properly. Brush, floss, and rinse your teeth normally before attaching the strips.[2]
- Not all whitening strips instruct you to brush your teeth first. Always check the instructions before you use them.
- Press the strips onto your teeth. Open your mouth and curl your lips back so you can see all your teeth. Peel the backing paper off one strip and press the sticky side down onto the front of your bottom teeth. Run your finger along the strip to make sure it sticks completely. If the strip sticks out above your teeth, fold that part over the top. Then do the same for your top teeth.[3]
- Most kits don't have different strips for your top and bottom teeth, but double check anyway to make sure.
- Wash your hands before reaching into your mouth.
- Keep the strips attached for 10-45 minutes. The exact amount of time depends on how strong the whitening gel is, so leave them on for as long as the product instructs you to. While you wait, try lying back with your mouth slightly open so pull saliva away from your teeth.[4]
- Try to reduce the amount of times you swallow while the strips are attached. You might swallow some of the whitening chemicals, which could irritate your stomach.
- Don't eat or drink while the strips are attached. Leave them in place and don't touch or adjust them.
- Peel the strips off when the regimen is finished. After the correct amount of time has passed, reach into your mouth to the end of the strip and peel it off gently. Do the same for the other strip. Throw both of them away and don't reuse them.[5]
- Leaving the strips on longer than instructed doesn't increase the whitening affect. It only makes the chemicals irritate your teeth and gums.
- Make sure your hands are clean before reaching into your mouth. Wash them again if you've touched anything.
- Rinse your mouth to remove any leftover gel. Use water or a 50/50 water and mouthwash mixture. Swish the mixture around, focusing on the front of your teeth, to get any remaining gel off.[6]
- If you feel like more gel is stuck on your teeth, brush it off with your toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
- Removing the leftover gel is important because you could end up with white specks around your teeth if you leave the gel on in some spots.
- Repeat the treatment as often as the product instructs you to. Different products have different instructions, ranging from twice a day for a week to once a day for 2 weeks. Double check the packaging and follow the treatment that you're instructed to.[7]
- If at any point your teeth feel overly sensitive or irritated, stop using the whitening strips. Contact your dentist and ask what you should do.
[Edit]Cleaning Your Mouth with Whitening Products - Use an ADA-approved whitening toothpaste. Some products on the market are designed for teeth whitening. Look for toothpastes containing baking soda or hydrogen peroxide, 2 main ingredients for whitening. Remember to check for the ADA seal and brush with the product like you normally would.[8]
- Whitening toothpastes don't produce immediate results. It'll take a few weeks of brushing to scrub away tooth stains.[9]
- Brushing harder won't make your teeth whiter. In fact, this could make them more yellow because you'll scrub away the enamel.
- Brush your teeth with baking soda for a cheaper option. Whitening products can be expensive, and a simpler and more affordable option is using plain baking soda. Put a small spoonful of baking soda into a cup and add a few drops of water. Mix them together until the baking soda reaches a pasty consistency. Then dip your toothbrush in and brush your teeth normally.[10]
- Rinse your mouth thoroughly with water or mouthwash after using baking soda. Leaving it on your teeth could cause irritation or erode the enamel.
- You can also add baking soda to your regular toothpaste for a similar effect. Squeeze the normal amount on to your toothbrush and sprinkle some baking soda onto it before brushing.
- Rinse your mouth with a 1.5%-3% hydrogen peroxide solution. Many whitening products contain peroxide, and a low-concentration mixture can help whiten your teeth more cheaply. Pour the peroxide into a cup and dilute it with an equal amount of water. Then put some in your mouth after brushing and swish it around for 1-2 minutes. Spit it out and rinse your mouth with plain water.[11]
- Don't swallow this mixture. It could irritate your stomach.
- Most pharmacies and drug stores carry peroxide. Make sure to get a low concentration to avoid irritating your mouth.
- You can also mix baking soda with peroxide instead of water to make a whitening toothpaste. Keep in mind that this mixture won't taste very good, so dilute it with water if you find the flavor overwhelming.
[Edit]Practicing Good Oral Hygiene - Brush and floss your teeth twice a day for the best dental health. While brushing and flossing won't remove existing stains, good mouth hygiene is essential to preventing more staining and to keeping your teeth in excellent shape. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste for the best results. When you're done, floss in between all your teeth to remove any leftover food.[12]
- The best times to brush are in the morning after breakfast and before you go to bed. If you prefer to brush 3 times, do so after lunch.
- Don't brush more than 3 times per day. This can scrub off enamel and make your teeth weaker.
- Floss at least once a day. A good time is at night, after brushing and before going to bed.
- Gargle with mouthwash to prevent stains from leftover bacteria. Brushing doesn't remove all the bacteria in your mouth. After you brush, rinse your mouth for another minute using an ADA-approved mouthwash to prevent plaque from building up and staining your teeth.[13]
- Remember to look for the ADA seal on any mouthwash products you use.
- If the mouthwash is too strong or minty and burns your gums, dilute it with an equal amount of water.
- Schedule dental cleanings every 6 months to remove deep stains. Have your dentist clean your teeth professionally at your regularly-scheduled appointments. This will help you maintain good dental hygiene, spot any cavities, and keep teeth white and healthy.[14]
- You can also consult your dentist about a professional teeth-whitening session or products to use at home.
- Limit your consumption of foods or beverages that stain your teeth. The best way to keep your teeth white is prevent them from getting stained in the first place. Common items that stain your teeth are coffee (especially black coffee), red wine, and dark soda. Have these drinks less often to avoid staining your teeth.[15]
- Smoking also stains your teeth. Quit smoking or don't start in the first place.
- If you're drinking a cold, dark liquid, try using a straw to keep it away from your teeth.
- Avoid using any acidic or herbal whitening remedies. There are many other DIY teeth whitening remedies on the internet. Most of these are not scientifically valid, and some are even harmful. Stick with products and methods approved by the ADA to avoid damaging your teeth.[16]
- A common suggestion is using lemon juice on your teeth. This is dangerous because lemons are very acidic and they could break down your tooth enamel.
- Other remedies, like turmeric powder, have not been evaluated for effectiveness.
[Edit]Consulting Your Dentist if Needed - Check with your dentist before you whiten your teeth. Talk to your dentist about the products you're planning to use to whiten your teeth. They may be able to determine whether or they'll be effective for your particular discoloration or safe for use.[17]
- If you have any small cracks in your teeth, your dentist may advise against using whitening products. The chemicals could irritate the tooth pulp if it's exposed.[18]
- Get medical care if your gums turn white or bleed. Whitening solutions can cause chemical burns on your gums which can make them appear white or cause them to be. This is usually harmless and clears up on its own, but you should still get it checked out to make sure there isn't heavy damage. In the meantime, stop using any products that caused this.[19]
- The tissue should return to normal after a few days.
- See a doctor if you experience severe stomach pain. Some whitening products can cause pain and inflammation in your stomach if you swallow it. Mild discomfort can be a normal side effect, but if you experience severe pain or diarrhea or vomiting that lasts longer than 2 days, visit a doctor to make sure there isn't a serious problem.[20]
- Stop using the product if you experience severe pain, vomiting, or diarrhea.
- Talk to your dentist if your teeth become more sensitive. A possible side effect of whitening your teeth is that they could become more sensitive. Some sensitivity is normal, but if your teeth become extremely sensitive to heat or cold, talk to your dentist to make sure your teeth aren't damaged.[21]
- The dentist may advise you to stop using whitening products or suggest a different one. Follow their instructions.
- A professional whitening treatment will have better results than any home treatment. These are expensive, however.[22]
- Remember that baking soda has a strong flavor. You might want to add it to your toothpaste instead of using it plain.
- Drink water after every time you eat. This neutralizes any acids and protects your enamel.
- If food gets stuck in your teeth, get it out with floss so the food doesn't sit there.[23]
- Remember that your tooth color doesn't necessarily have any relation to your oral health. Teeth are naturally slightly yellow. Yellow teeth could be perfectly healthy, and shiny white teeth could have cavities.[24]
[Edit]Warnings - Read the instructions carefully when using commercial preparations for whitening teeth.
- Don't use any fruit juices on your teeth, as some DIY-whitening guides tell you to. Fruit juice is very acidic and can break down your tooth enamel.[25]
- Baking soda can dissolve orthodontic glue. Do not use this method if you have braces or a permanent retainer.[26]
- Be careful not to swallow hydrogen peroxide during the whitening process. Swallowing it can cause severe stomach irritation.[27]
- Don't brush too hard for a long term as it may damage your enamel (which is called abrasion), leading to hypersensitivity.[28]
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References __METHODS [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Keep Shower Glass Clean Posted: 08 Jun 2020 09:00 AM PDT It's natural to want to keep your shower glass clean, and there are several easy things you can do to keep your shower in great shape. It only takes a few minutes to keep your shower from getting dirty in the first place, but if your shower is already dirty, use things like a commercial shower cleaner or vinegar to rinse it off. With just a little bit of time, your shower will be sparkly clean! [Edit]Preventing a Dirty Shower - Leave your shower glass door open after you're done showering. Once you're all clean, leave the shower door propped open so the moisture can evaporate and the air can circulate easily. This is a super easy way to prevent your shower glass from getting dirty.[1]
- Letting the moisture evaporate quickly instead of just sit on your shower glass will prevent mildew.
- Wipe the water from your shower glass with a squeegee after each use. Wipe the glass with the squeegee starting from the top of the glass and dragging it downwards to get rid of the shower water. Squeegees, which have a flat rubber blade, are great for removing the excess water on your shower glass so it doesn't cause the glass to get dirty from soap scum buildup.[2]
- Do this after each shower you take.
- Dry the glass with a towel once you're done showering. Use a clean towel or microfiber cloth to wipe down your shower glass, as well as the rest of your shower, as soon as you're finished. This will get rid of any moisture buildup and remove soap scum that might be on the glass too.[3]
- It's best to use a squeegee before you dry the glass with a towel.
- Opt for liquid soap instead of bar soap to reduce soap scum. Using bar soap tends to create more soap scum that ends up on your shower glass. Instead, use a liquid soap to wash in the shower so it's easier to clean up and doesn't leave a lot of residue.[4]
- It's also a good idea to avoid using oily shower products.
- Apply a water repellent spray to your glass so water will run off of it. Purchase a water repellent spray that's safe for your glass at a home improvement store or online. Follow the instructions that come with it and spray the water repellent all over the glass in an even layer. Let it dry for the recommended amount of time before taking your shower.[5]
- The most popular water repellent spray is Rain-X.
- Install a water softener in your plumbing to prevent mineral buildup. The excess minerals in your water can cause your shower to get grimier much more quickly. To ensure you're using clean water, consider purchasing a water softener that can be installed by a plumber or yourself to filter out the minerals.[6]
- Follow the instructions that come with the water softener if you're installing it yourself, hooking it up to your water line carefully.
- Purchase a water softener at your local hardware or home improvement store.
[Edit]Cleaning Your Shower Glass - Wipe your shower down with a sponge once a week to keep it clean. After you've taken a shower and the shower glass is still wet, use a clean sponge to wipe down the entire shower area to get rid of any grime. Doing this every week will keep your shower from getting especially dirty.[7]
- If your shower is super dirty or you want to target specific spots, dampen a Magic Eraser and use it on these areas of your shower.
- Mix white vinegar with water to create a shower cleaning spray. Combine 1 part white vinegar with 3 parts water in a cup and stir them together. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and spray this on your shower glass several times a week. Let the spray sit on the glass for about 5 minutes before you rinse it off easily with water or wipe it off with a clean towel.[8]
- If your shower has a shower head that detaches, use this to quickly spray off the vinegar mixture after it's had time to sit.
- Create a paste out of baking soda and vinegar to use as a scrub. Pour of baking soda into a cup and add white vinegar to it. Stir the two ingredients together and continue adding small amounts of white vinegar until you create a paste. Dip a clean sponge into the mixture and use it to scrub your shower until it's clean.[9]
- Stir the mixture with a spoon to form the paste.
- Rinse the baking soda and vinegar scrub off of your shower using clean water.
- Purchase a commercial cleaner to use on your glass periodically. This could be a regular glass cleaner that you use around the house, or a special one made for showers. Spray the cleaner on the glass in your shower and let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing it off.[10]
- Use the commercial cleaner a couple times a week to keep your shower glass super clean.
- Look for a commercial glass or shower cleaner at your local big box or grocery store.
- Combine ammonia with water to spray on your shower glass. Mix of ammonia with of water using a spoon. Once they're mixed, pour them into a spray bottle and spray this mixture onto your shower glass. Use a clean, dry cloth to wipe the ammonia and water off to reveal clean glass.[11]
- Use a soft microfiber cloth or towel when you wipe the ammonia off.
- Rub a lemon half on the shower glass to remove soap scum. Cut a fresh lemon in half and dip this half in baking soda. Squeeze the lemon a bit to wet the baking soda and use the lemon to scrub the shower glass so it's clean. Either rinse the glass off with water or use a damp cloth to wipe the lemon and baking soda off.[12]
[Edit]References |
| How to Make Sugar Wax Posted: 08 Jun 2020 01:00 AM PDT Getting waxed at a salon can be expensive! You can make sugar wax with 3 simple ingredients and do your own waxing at home. All you need is granulated white sugar, lemon juice, and water. Sugar wax is also less painful than traditional hot wax because it doesn't remove the hair follicle, making it a great option for those with sensitive skin.[1] [Edit]Ingredients - 1 cup (200 g) granulated white sugar
- 1/8 cup (30 ml) lemon juice (preferably bottled)
- 1/8 cup (30 ml) warm water
[Edit]Making the Wax - Place a medium-sized pot on the stove. Even though this recipe makes a fairly small batch of sugar wax (approximately enough for 2 legs), use a medium or large pot to make it. The mixture starts to bubble when you heat it, and it can overflow if you use a small pot.
- Add the white sugar, lemon juice, and warm water to the pot. Measure out the granulated white sugar and dump it into the pot. Then add the lemon juice and warm water. Stir to combine them.[2]
- Use white or brown granulated sugar. Powdered sugar won't work at all.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Turn your burner on high and let the mixture heat up until it starts to boil. Stir frequently. Keep an eye on the mixture, since it will start to bubble as it heats up.[3]
- Take care not to burn the mixture. If you do, it will completely solidify once it cools down, making it unusable.
- Reduce the heat to medium. Once the mixture starts bubbling and boiling, turn the heat down to medium. Continue to stir frequently. The sugar should be completely dissolved in the liquid at this point.[4]
- If the mixture continues to bubble rapidly at medium heat, turn it down to low.[5]
- Remove the pot from heat when the mixture turns golden brown. Keep stirring the mixture as it simmers. Once it reaches a smooth consistency and becomes a deep golden color, turn off the heat and move the pot to another burner.[6]
- The consistency should be similar to hot syrup. If it's thick like honey, heat it a little longer.
- Pour the mixture into a bowl or jar and let it cool for 30 minutes. Unlike traditional hot wax, sugar wax should not be used hot. Pour it in a bowl or jar and give it about 30 minutes to cool down. If it still feels hot or warm enough to be uncomfortable, let it cool for several more minutes before proceeding.[7]
[Edit]Applying Sugar Wax - Scoop up a small amount of wax with your fingers. The wax should still be warm but cool enough to touch, so you can use your fingers for the entire process. Scoop up a small amount and roll the wax into a ball with your hands.[8]
- You can use a butter knife or a wooden popsicle stick instead of your hands, if you prefer.
- Apply the wax to a small strip of skin. You can apply it with your fingers or a popsicle stick. Be sure to apply the wax in the opposite direction of hair growth. Spread it evenly until it's about 1/4 in (0.6 cm) thick. Work in small sections that are only a few inches in length and width.[9]
- Yields enough wax for both legs (approximately)
- Take a deep breath and pull! Get a firm grip on the wax with your fingers and pull it off in the opposite direction of your hair growth. Make it quick, just like you are pulling off a bandage. It may hurt a little bit![10]
- You can also use your fingers to roll or pull it off, but this prolongs the pain. It's better to make it quick.
- If desired, apply paper strips on top of the wax, smooth them out, and pull those off instead of the mixture itself.
- Continue to apply the wax in small sections until you're done. You can reuse the same piece of wax 3 to 4 times, if you like. Or you can use a fresh amount of wax for each section of skin.[11]
- Pour any leftover wax in an airtight container and refrigerate it. If you have leftover wax, pour it into an airtight container, like a sturdy plastic Tupperware container. Pop it in the fridge and use it within 4 to 5 weeks. Reheat it before you use it.[12]
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Medium or large sized pot
- Spoon
- Clean bowl or jar
- Popsicle stick (optional)
- Paper strips (optional)
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
No comments:
Post a Comment