By
According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the most common thing that people want to change about their smile is often the whiteness of their teeth. Here’s how you can whiten your teeth with natural, everyday ingredients.
[post_ads_2]
Mashed strawberries
Brushing your teeth with mashed strawberries
(as bizarre as it sounds) is a great natural teeth whitener to use at
home because the acidic content of the fruit acts as a mild bleaching
agent. Simply mash up one or two ripe strawberries, dip your toothbrush
into it and then brush your teeth as normal. When you’ve finished, be
sure to rinse your mouth thoroughly with a pinch of bicarbonate of soda
in order to reduce the acidity in the mouth and help to protect the
teeth from any damage. And don't forget to eat these seven other foods for stronger, whiter teeth!
Coconut oil pulling
Oil pulling is an ancient Indian technique that
simply involves swilling oil around your mouth for a few minutes,
similar to the way you’d use a mouthwash. Coconut oil is considered a
natural teeth whitener, and a recent study backs up its oral-health
benefits: Oil pulling using coconut oil actually helped to reduce plaque
formation on the teeth and also helped to reduce gum disease.
[post_ads_2]
Baking soda and lemon juice paste
Do lemons really whiten your teeth? The short
answer is yes! Lemons are high in citric acid, which acts as a kind of
natural “bleach” for your teeth. This may sound alarming, but don’t
fret. Mixing a teaspoon of lemon juice with enough baking soda to make a
paste is actually a very effective, safe way to whiten teeth at home.
Baking soda is mildly abrasive (making perfect for gently removing
surface stains) and is very alkaline, so helps to neutralize the natural
acidity of the lemon juice. Aside from tooth whitening, dentists wish
you would do these 11 things for a healthier smile.
Activated charcoal
If you’re looking for a natural teeth whitener
that gets the job done fast, activated charcoal could be another
effective, all-natural alternative. Activated charcoal is made by
processing charcoal with oxygen and calcium chloride, and is widely
regarded as an effective tooth-whitening agent because of its highly
absorptive properties. Explained very basically, activated charcoal is
great at absorbing tannins, which are the compounds found in common
tooth-staining drinks like coffee, tea, and wine. Simply dip your
toothbrush into activated charcoal powder (make sure it’s the food-grade
variety and not the stuff from under the barbeque) and brush as normal
to remove any stains on your teeth.
[post_ads_2]
Orange peel
Rubbing your teeth with the inside of an orange
peel is widely regarded as a safe, natural way to whiten your teeth at
home. The white part of the peel (known as the albedo) contains
limonene, a substance that contains natural solvent cleaners, and is
actually used in many commercial teeth whitening products. Unlike the
flesh of the fruit, orange peel is not acidic, so it is safe to use
without the risk of the acidity of the fruit causing any damage to tooth
enamel. Despite an orange peel being good for your teeth, dentists
avoid eating these 15 foods that ruin your teeth.
Basil leaves and mustard oil
Try crushing up dried basil leaves to form a
mildly abrasive powder and mixing with mustard oil for a fast, effective
way to whiten your teeth at home. You can also use fresh basil leaves
crushed into a paste and applied directly onto the teeth using a
toothbrush. Basil is said to help to protect the gums while mustard oil
has antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties to
promote great all-round oral health.
[post_ads_2]
Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is purported to have a number of health benefits
(such as its antibacterial properties), but many don’t realize that it
can actually be used as a natural teeth whitener. Try brushing your
teeth with a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to help to remove stains,
and then gargle with a mouthful to help freshen breath and kill
bacteria around your gums.
Sea salt and baking soda
Baking soda (or sodium bicarbonate) is widely
regarded as a natural tooth whitening remedy because of its alkaline
properties and due to the fact that it is abrasive enough to gently
remove any stains. Adding sea salt to baking soda creates an
antibacterial “tooth scrub” that counteracts the acids in the mouth and
also eliminates bacteria.
[post_ads_2]
Turmeric powder
Turmeric is often used as a natural teeth
whitener because it is anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and contains
antioxidants, making it effective for treating common dental problems
like gum disease. In the form of a fine powder it acts as a gentle
abrasive, removing surface stains and revealing whiter teeth in an
instant. Simply rub about a teaspoon’s worth over your teeth using your
finger, brush with a clean toothbrush and rinse.
Homemade whitening toothpaste
By combining some of the tooth whitening
remedies already mentioned here, you could create your own DIY whitening
toothpaste at home. Mixing coconut oil with bicarbonate of soda, a
little lemon juice and a drop of peppermint oil creates a powerful
stain-removing combination that’s naturally anti-inflammatory and
antibacterial, with a zesty and minty flavor. (Stop making these eight common toothbrush mistakes that are bad for your teeth.)
