The formation of plaque and residue on your teeth as well as the darkening of the enamel is the result of drinking either strong tea or coffee or even smoking. Any given food which contains dyes tends to provoke color changes and in combination with frequent whitening it will harm the enamel. It’s recommended to perform a whitening procedure every six months at a clinic. But, there are many other ways of whitening your teeth at home which may cause you harm.

1. Apply a thick layer of baking soda on your teeth and use it to clean off residue and plaque.
2. Dampen a piece of cotton wool with hydrogen peroxide. Wipe the surface of your teeth with it for a few minutes.
3. Mix the soda with peroxide. Apply the mixture to the surface of your teeth for 10 minutes then swish the product out of your mouth.
4. Add some crushed activated carbon or ash to your toothpaste (which comes from burnt wood). Be sure to clean every corner of your mouth.
5. Wipe the surface of your teeth with fresh lemon juice. You can apply it with a tampon.
6. Add fine (not coarse) salt to your toothpaste, then clean your teeth with it and rinse it out.

You shouldn’t carry out the procedure either at home or at a clinic if there are holes or cracks in your oral cavity/s. Another contraindication is herpetic rashes on your mucous membranes. If people fail to whiten their teeth at home on the first attempt, they can combine different methods which may cause even more damage to the enamel. In pharmacies, you can also find many whitening products that must be used with caution.

1. Unpleasant sensitivity will appear due to damage of the mucous membranes and/or gums. It can be a horrible experience filled with burning, pain or even bleeding.
2. The enamel will eventually become thinner. When eating warm or cold meals, you’ll become sensitive to heat or cold foods/drinks.
3. Cavities will begin to develop due to damage to the upper layer of your teeth.
4. Gums will become inflamed and swollen.
5. Your teeth will be cleaned unevenly. Darkening and spots will start to appear.

After unsuccessfully whitening your teeth at home, you’ll have to make an appointment with a dentist to mitigate such problems. You’ll need to restore your enamel, remove stains and treat the given cavities. If there were cracks and chips before the procedure or cavities began to develop, your at-home procedures will worsen the situation. You’ll have to visit the doctor repeatedly. That’s why it’s better to visit a dental clinic every six months to whiten your teeth with professional means.