One of the most challenging things about this pandemic is being able to avail of regular healthcare services that require one’s physical presence at a clinic. When my mom was experiencing a toothache earlier this year, I was surprised to learn that her dentist could not even do fillings. It was straight to tooth extractions for emergency cases. Cleanings and regular check-ups were out of the question.

When it comes to teeth whitening, I’ve tried quite a good number of treatments. From the whitening strips to salon-style teeth whitening facilities in Europe with stark-white, minimalist interiors and pod-like seats that cocoon you while you get your 30-minute whitening treatment. They’ve worked in varying degrees and trust me – I always left with a brighter smile. Just not bright enough.

I was never really self-conscious about my teeth until I fell in love with orange lipsticks. The coral hues lend warmth to my pale skin, but they also highlight how yellow my teeth are! It’s just the natural color of my teeth, a dentist had told me previously, but I couldn’t help wishing for whiter teeth. I know that there’s a DIY hack involving baking soda and lemon juice, but the dentist warned me against doing it as the abrasive nature of both ingredients can strip the protective enamel from the teeth and make it more sensitive or prone to ngilo.