As one grows older, a change in the color of our teeth becomes inevitable. You may want to visit a dentist to get your teeth whitened. However, there are several alternative procedures that you can conveniently try from the comfort of your home. You will notice some improvement, and any signs of a yellow tinge will disappear. These procedures should be done with caution, and your gums should be protected.

1. Teeth Whitening Strips
Teeth Whitening strips are garnering attention and are currently in high demand because of their ease of application and availability. In most cases, teeth whitening strips should be used daily for two weeks to achieve the needed effect. Your teeth should be brushed with a wet toothbrush before lining them with the whitening strips. You can leave them on for five minutes and brush your teeth once the strips are removed. Make sure they don’t touch the gums as they can increase sensitivity.

2. Usage of activated charcoal
You can apply activated charcoal to remove stains and yellow marks from your teeth. Charcoal is a highly absorbent element that can remove stains and bacteria to a certain extent. You can purchase activated charcoal online, open one capsule, and apply it to your toothbrush. Using small circular movements, slowly brush your teeth for two minutes without applying too much pressure. Charcoal can be abrasive, so it is suggested to use it in moderation.

3. Over-the-counter whitening gels
Whitening gels have a peroxide base. They can be directly applied to the teeth based on the instructions given in the packaging. The instructions for each gel will vary based on the peroxide concentration. One should read the instructions a couple of times to follow the directions carefully. While you have to wait for initial results for a couple of days, the effect remains for up to 4 months. You should stop using a gel once you continuously apply it for 10-14 days. Excess usage can affect your dental hygiene.

4. Whitening rinses
Whitening rinses are convenient and simple to use. You might not get an overly dramatic whitening through these rinses, but they can easily become a part of your routine as they take up very little time. Most of the whitening rinses contain Hydrogen Peroxide, which has oxidizing properties that result in whitening. You can even choose to buy alcohol-free whitening rinses, which will not leave any uncomfortable burning or dryness.

5. Teeth whitening pens
Portable teeth whitening pens are immensely convenient and can be used at home, or you can even carry them with you if you need to use them on the go. Most of the whitening pens in the market use a twisting mechanism to operate efficiently. You can twist the bottom of the pen to expose the whitening gel and paint on each tooth for a minute to whiten them.