Having white and bright teeth can do wonders for your self-confidence and appearance. While professional teeth whitening done by a dentist provides the most dramatic results, at-home natural remedies can also help remove stains and discoloration over time. The good news is that you likely already have many inexpensive, natural teeth whiteners sitting in your kitchen.
This article will cover 12 of the best home remedies for naturally whitening your teeth. When used consistently, these remedies can gradually brighten your smile and keep your teeth looking their best.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is one of the most widely used natural teeth whitening ingredients. It acts as a gentle abrasive to remove surface stains on tooth.
To use baking soda for whiter teeth:
- Mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda with 2 teaspoons of water to form a thick paste.
- Brush your tooth with this gum for 2 minutes.
- Rinse thoroughly with water.
- For best results, repeat 1-2 times per week.
The mild abrasive nature of baking soda helps scrub away staining without being too harsh on tooth enamel.
Hydrogen Peroxide
As a natural bleaching agent, hydrogen peroxide can help lift deep stains from teeth to reveal a whiter shade underneath. Most over-the-counter whitening toothpastes contain hydrogen peroxide.
To use hydrogen peroxide Bleach as a home remedy:
- Mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water.
- Swish the liquid around your mouth for 2-3 minutes, focusing on stained areas.
- Spit out and rinse your mouth carefully with water.
- Limit use to a few times per week to avoid irritation.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid, which has natural brightening abilities on tooth. It’s also thought to kill harmful bacteria in the mouth.
To safely use apple cider vinegar for whiter teeth:
- Mix 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar with 6 grains of water.
- Swish liquid around mouth for 30 seconds before spitting out.
- Rinse with plain water afterwards.
- Repeat 1-2 times per day.
Be careful not to overdo it with the apple cider vinegar, as the acidity could erode tooth enamel over time.
Coconut Oil Pulling
The practice of “oil pulling” for oral health benefits has been used for centuries in ancient medicine. It involves swishing oil around your mouth to remove bacteria. Using coconut oil is thought to gently lift stains off tooth.
To oil pull for whiter teeth:
- Scoop about 1 tablespoon of organic extra virgin coconut oil into your mouth.
- Swish the oil between teeth for 15-20 minutes. Try to shelter all parts of your mouth.
- Spit oil into trash can when done and rinse mouth well with water.
- Practice daily or a few times per week.
- Coconut oil could also support oral health by killing harmful “bad” bacteria in the mouth.
Fruits and Vegetables
A diet high in staining foods and drinks such as coffee, red wine, soda and berries can allow stains to build up on your tooth. Brushing immediately after consumption can help prevent stains.
Chewing on fiber-rich fruits and crunchy vegetables also promotes teeth cleaning. These foods produce saliva in your mouth, which naturally rinses your teeth. Some of the best choices are apples, celery, carrots and strawberries.
Teeth-Brushing Practices
While what you eat and drink can stain teeth, how you brush also affects whiteness. Brushing properly and frequently can prevent stains from setting into teeth and helps remove surface discoloration.
For best results:
- Brush teeth twice daily for 2 minutes with whitening toothpaste.
- Ensure you brush all surfaces – especially along the gum-line.
- Rinse mouth thoroughly after eating and drinking.
- Replace your toothbrush every 3 months to keep bristles clean and effective.
DIY Strawberry Whitening Mask
Strawberries may seem counterintuitive for teeth whitening given their staining juices. However, strawberries contain an enzyme called malic acid that can help remove discoloration on teeth.
To make teeth whiter using this fruit:
- Mash about 2-3 large strawberries into a paste.
- Apply paste onto your toothbrush and brush the mixture onto teeth.
- Let sit for 5 minutes before rinsing thoroughly with water.
- Repeat 1-2 times per week.
Along with removing surface stains, the vitamins and minerals in strawberries promote healthy teeth and gums.
Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal has garnered recent interest for its tooth whitening abilities. It’s absorbent nature may help lift stains by binding to staining compounds. It also may remove toxins in mouth that cause discoloration on teeth surfaces.
To use activated charcoal for whiter teeth:
- Mix a teaspoon of activated charcoal powder with water, lemon juice or hydrogen peroxide to form a paste.
- Dip your toothbrush into paste and brush onto tooth for 2 minutes. Concentrate on stained areas.
- Rinse mouth thoroughly with water.
- Limit use to a few times per month to avoid abrasion to enamel over time.
- Be careful not to get charcoal paste lodged in cracks and crevices around tooth.
Bananas
Some studies have indicated that bananas may have tooth whitening abilities. The fruit contains potassium, manganese and magnesium, which may help absorb plaque that leads to discoloration.
To use bananas:
- Vigorously mash a ripe banana until it becomes liquid.
- Brush banana mixture onto tooth using a toothbrush or your finger.
- Let sit for 10 minutes before rinsing thoroughly with water.
Unsalted Cheese For whitening your teeth
Dairy products like plain yogurt and cheese can make good stain removers thanks to their lactic acid content. Lactic acid essentially eats away at staining compounds on your teeth.
To use cheese:
- Take a small bite of unsweetened cheese and chew it up.
- Continue chewing cheese for 5-10 minutes to coat tooth.
- Swallow the cheese and rinse mouth well with water once finished.
- Sugar-free cheese is best, as sweetened varieties or those with add-ins could damage tooth over time.
Pineapple
Pineapple contains an enzyme called bromelain that may aid stain removal on tooth. It gently lifts debris off teeth similarly to a stain remover.
To use pineapple:
- Obtain fresh pineapple or juice without added sugars.
- Eat a few chunks of pineapple allowing juices to coat your mouth and tooth.
- Swish juices around stained areas for 2-3 minutes before swallowing.
- Finish by rinsing mouth with water.
- Pineapple also contains vitamin C for healthy tooth and gums.
Lemon
Lemons are a popular choice for homemade whitening preparations thanks to their acidic nature. Acids chemically react with tooth stains to help break them down.
However, lemons may erode enamel over time so moderation is key. To safely use lemon:
- Mix 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice with water.
- Swish liquid for a few minutes before spitting out.
- Rinse mouth with plain water.
- Limit lemon juice use to a few times per month.
Conclusion
While commercial teeth whitening kits used under dentist supervision can provide the fastest, most dramatic results, natural remedies also have merit depending on the types of stains. Over-the-counter whitening strips and toothpastes often combine the stain-fighting power of hydrogen peroxide with the plaque removal effects of baking soda.
For occasional or mild staining, consistent use of items like baking soda, strawberries and hydrogen peroxide mixtures could provide noticeable brightening over time. However, heavily stained tooth caused by factors like illness, medication use or smoking may not respond as readily to homemade treatments.
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No matter what method you choose SW19 Confidental Dental Clinic, Wimbledon Dentists maintaining good oral hygiene through twice-daily brushing and daily flossing promotes whiter teeth by lowering your risk of new stains forming. Protect those pearly whites with proper dental care and touch up with natural whitening remedies as needed. Call Confidental Dental Clinic for Teeth Whitening in Wimbledon today!
