Every year, people spend a lot of money behind teeth-whitening treatments and products. Needless to say, treatments are very expensive and require repeated visits to your dentist for check-ups, while over-the-counter teeth-whitening products are reliable but contain chemicals used to bleach the enamel which can cause problems for people with sensitive teeth, and erode the gums. There are many natural and completely harmless ways to whiten teeth at home with common ingredients.
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Obviously, teeth doesn’t whiten overnight but with daily use, once can notice a change in the colour of the enamel without damaging any part of the dental apparatus. However, it is very important to first consult with your dentist before trying any product or natural ingredient. In this article, we will talk about 10 ways you can whiten your teeth naturally.
1. Activated charcoal
An active ingredient in many toothpastes and teeth-whitening products, activated charcoal is a very easy way to naturally whiten your teeth. This comes in powder form, which you can directly use to brush your teeth with. Make sure that you do not swallow any of it, and of course, don’t wear white while brushing with activated charcoal powder because it can get very messy.
2. Oil Pulling
Oil pulling can be easily called the most popular and one of the easiest ways to whiten teeth at home naturally. It involves swishing around a mouthful of oil in your mouth vigorously for about 15 to 20 minutes. Coconut oil or sesame oil is generally used, but any kind of oil works. The swishing action of the oil removes plaque from the teeth which makes it yellowish. There is no scientific proof that oil pulling actually whitens teeth but it is a very popular method and some people claim to have whitened their teeth with it. Remember to spit out the oil and do not swallow it.
3. Brushing with baking soda
This creates an alkaline environment inside the mouth which prevents bacteria from growing. It is as simple as using activated charcoal, just use the baking soda as a tooth powder and brush for about 5 minutes. Be careful to avoid the gums because that can cause redness and itching. Also, baking soda is abrasive so limit to using this method about 3 times a month at max. Your teeth won’t whiten overnight but you will notice a change after a few months.
4. Apple cider vinegar
This has been used for a long time as a cleaning product and has many health benefits. Acetic acid in this effectively kills bacteria and has a whitening effect on teeth. However, it can also erode your teeth so do not use it daily. It can be used as a mouthwash by diluting with water.
5. Fruit peels
Although it’s not a proven fact, but some people claim that using fruit peels to exfoliate your teeth can whiten them. Peels like banana peels, orange peels, or lemon peels is said to have the ability to whiten teeth with daily usage.
6. Kaolin clay
Kaolin clay has many uses in the cosmetics industry. A lot of toothpastes contain this and considered a very safe way to whiten teeth and take care of oral hygiene. It is known to prevent gingivitis.
7. Strawberry and baking soda mixture
Using this as a teeth-whitening product has been popularized by celebrities. Strawberry contains malic acid which is known to prevent discoloration and baking soda removes stains. This is not backed by science but is a very popular home remedy for yellow teeth.
8. Baking soda and lemon juice mixture
This method of combining baking soda with a few drops of lemon juice and toothpaste and brushing with this mixture about twice a week can effectively whiten your teeth after a few weeks.
9. Using Sea Salt
Instead of using a toothpaste, you can use a mixture of seasalt and water and use that to brush your teeth. This would create an alkaline environment in your mouth by raising pH levels. This reduces buildup of germs.
10. Maintaining good oral hygiene
It is very important to make sure that we take care of stains before they can happen. This can be done by maintaining a healthy oral hygiene. Do not underestimate the important of flossing as it removes germs that brushing alone cannot, and germs alone are responsible for all kinds of oral problems. Use teeth-whitening toothpastes that contain natural ingredients instead of chemical bleaches.