3 Ways to Whiten Your Teeth Fast (2024)

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Medically reviewed byTu Anh Vu, DMD

Last Updated: May 25, 2021References

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   Get a bleach treatment at the dentist. Most dentists can perform an in-office bleaching treatment that will whiten your teeth in only one visit. Typically, the dentist will apply a gel to your teeth and use lights or a laser to activate the gel and bleach the enamel. If you need your teeth whitened instantly, make an appointment with your dentist for a bleaching treatment.^[1]

   • These treatments will usually cost over $400, so if money is an issue this may not be the best option.
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   Get a home bleaching kit. If an in-office bleaching treatment isn't a good option for you, you could get a home bleaching kit from a pharmacy or supermarket. These kits usually include a gel that contains hydrogen peroxide, a tooth-whitening chemical, and a mouth guard. Kits vary, but almost always involve placing the gel in the mouth guard and keeping it in your mouth for a specific amount of time.^[2]

   • The whitening effect from these kits won't last as long as an in-office treatment, but they are a much cheaper option for a quick whitening.
   • Be sure to buy a product with the American Dental Association seal of acceptance to certify that the product has been tested and is safe.
   • Whitening kits sometimes lead to temporarily increased tooth sensitivity so make sure you consult your dentist before doing a home whitening.^[3]
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   Use whitening strips. Another cheap option for whitening your teeth quickly is to use whitening strips. These products press a hydrogen peroxide gel against your teeth and protect it from removal. The strips are also sticky, so when you take them off they will remove any surface stains.^[4]

   • One disadvantage of whitening strips is that they can't remove the stains in between teeth.
   • Usually you need to use whitening strips every day, sometimes multiple times.
   • Whitening strips work slower than bleaching methods, but you should see significant results within a week of the first application.

   See Also

   3 Ways to Whiten Your Teeth Without Spending a Lot of MoneyHow To Whiten Your Teeth At Home SafelyHow to Whiten Your Teeth Naturally at Home: 10 Things to TryHow to Use Prescription Gel to Whiten Teeth: 10 Steps
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   Use whitening toothpaste. Whitening toothpastes will only whiten your teeth a shade or two, and it will take longer (over two months) to see results. Using toothpaste alone won't give you dramatic results fast, but you can supplement faster treatments with toothpaste for good results.^[5]

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   Try a whitening mouthwash. Mouthwashes that contain whiteners only remove the most basic surface stains from your teeth, but that also makes them perfect for quickly removing surface stains right as they form and giving your teeth a quick whitening boost.^[6]

   • Swish the mouthwash around in your mouth for 30 to 60 seconds before spitting it out.
   • You can rinse your mouth out with water afterward, if desired, but doing so is not necessary.
   • A whitening mouthwash along with a whitening toothpaste can preserve the results of a previous whitening treatment for longer.

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   Try oil pulling. Oil pulling is an ancient technique used to clean the mouth, but it is also reputed to strip stains away from the teeth. It involves swishing oil around your mouth for a few minutes daily.^[7]

   • Use fresh coconut oil for best results, although sesame or sunflower oil can also be used.
   • Scoop 1/2 to 1 Tbsp (7.5 to 15 ml) of into your mouth. You might need to let solid oil melt for a few seconds (coconut oil, for example, is often solid at room temperature).
   • Swish the oil around your mouth, letting it coat your teeth and gums. Avoid letting it come into contact with your throat.
   • Do not swallow the oil. If you have trouble swishing around the oil without getting the urge to swallow, you're probably using too much. Spit it out and start over with less.
   • After five to 20 minutes, spit the oil into a trash can. Avoid spitting it into the sink, since the oil could clog the drain.
   • Rinse your mouth with clean water a couple of times or brush your teeth with your standard toothpaste. Repeat daily.
   • You can also try brushing while holding the oil into your mouth — keep your lips closed and, using a soft bristle toothbrush, try brushing the external surface of your teeth. This can help your teeth look shiny and polished.
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   Use activated charcoal to clean your teeth. Activated charcoal powder has chemical properties that remove stains and whiten teeth. Mix it in with your toothpaste to harness these properties.

   • Sprinkle the powder onto your toothpaste before brushing, then brush normally.
   • You can buy activated charcoal at health stores or on the internet.
   • Activated charcoal powder is not the same as the charcoal you would use in the barbeque. Do not substitute activated charcoal with barbeque charcoal.
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   Make a baking soda and hydrogen peroxide toothpaste. Most whitening products contain both of these ingredients, so you can use them together to whiten your teeth. Making your own toothpaste with these products is easy.^[8]

   • Pour some baking soda into a cup. Then add peroxide and stir until you get a thick, pasty mixture.
   • Dip your toothbrush into this mixture and use it to gently brush your teeth. Allow it to sit on your teeth for a minute or two, then rinse.
   • Brush with regular toothpaste after this, with a separate toothbrush.
   • Since both ingredients can be corrosive to tooth enamel if used too much, use this treatment only twice a week to protect your teeth.
   • Do not swallow this mixture.

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   Make your teeth look whiter with blue undertones. Blue undertones fall under a cool color palette, while yellow tooth stains classify as warm colors. By placing blue undertones around your face, on on your lips in particular, you can offset any stains on your teeth and instantaneously make your teeth look whiter.^[9]

   • When choosing lipstick, go for a red lipstick with blue undertones. Think cherry red, wine, and berry shades.
   • Avoid matte lipsticks and go for glossy products. Matte lipsticks can actually make your teeth look dingy by making your mouth look dry, but glosses and glossy lipsticks make your lips look moist, which also promotes the illusion of shiny teeth.
   • Be aware that the accessories you wear by your face can also make a difference. Opt for silver-toned jewelry over gold, and look for cool-toned gems and beads instead of warm-toned ones.
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   Wear bronzer. Bronzer makes your face look darker, thereby accentuating the contrast between your skin tone and your teeth. As a result, your teeth will appear whiter than they might when your face is bare or dusted in blush.

   • For bronzer, a matte finish is the way to go. Matte bronzer makes your skin appear healthy and firm without giving it an oily look. Moreover, matte bronzer creates a contrast with glossy lips, accentuating your sparkling teeth.
   • Apply the bronzer in the shape of the number "3." Brush it over your temples, the hollow of your cheeks, and over your chin.
3. See Also

   Different Methods of Teeth Whitening

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   Wear shiny jewelry. Shiny jewelry, especially silver-colored, accentuates the white shades in your teeth while covering up the yellow ones. This can mask any stains or imperfections in your teeth.^[10]

   • Focus on placing these accessories around your face, like with earrings and necklaces.
   • Avoid gold-colored jewelry, however — this will accentuate yellow sections of your teeth.
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   Wear an off-white shirt. Wearing white will accentuate the darker sections of your teeth. Instead, wear a darker or cream-colored shirt. This will accentuate the white sections of your teeth and help cover up any imperfections.^[11]

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