Teeth whitening is a multi-billion dollar industry, but unfortunately many teeth whitening treatments contain harsh chemicals that can leave teeth feeling sensitive for a long time. I had sensitive teeth for years after my high school attempts at teeth whitening (at home and at the dentist office).
Once I became pregnant with first child, I was careful to avoid all chemicals, including those normally used to whiten teeth. I wanted to find natural ways to whiten my teeth that not only worked well, but were also safe. Since chemicals can easily absorb through the sensitive skin in the mouth, I wanted to only use options that were safe enough to eat.
Of course, none of these things are a replacement for normal dental care and I asked my dentist before using these (you should too!). I’ve found that these methods work great along side my normal brushing and flossing routine.
1. Brush After Drinking or Eating
The best way, but not always the easiest is to simply brush your teeth after eating or drinking something. This takes a lot of persistence and can even be kind of difficult depending on where you are at the time. Most food does not stain teeth, but if you are a coffee drinker or if you smoke, you can pretty much count on having discolored teeth from staining. If this is the case then having your teeth cleaned every three months may be in order, besides trying some of the natural remedies listed here.
2. Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide
This works great as a natural teeth whitener. Many people confirm to the fact that it does make their teeth look whiter. Mix a small amount of hydrogen peroxide with a small amount of baking soda to make a paste. Brush your teeth as usual, making sure you brush those back teeth too. Hydrogen peroxide is an anti-bacterial agent and works great as a total mouth and gum cleaner and keeps the mouth free of germs.
Baking soda is a gritty substance like sandpaper so be careful that you have enough hydrogen peroxide mixed in with the soda because if you don’t it can very well scrub the enamel right off your teeth and enamel does not grow back. The paste should not be gritty at all, and in fact it should be a runnier paste than a stiff paste.
Try making your own with this homemade remineralizing toothpaste recipe or thishomemade probiotic toothpaste recipe.
3. Coconut Oil Pulling
Can it be true? Coconut oil to clean your teeth? Just when you thought you heard it all when it comes to coconut oil, along it comes to the rescue as a natural teeth whitener.Some people are attesting to their teeth becoming whiter by applying coconut oil to their teeth after they brush. But for most people, they are praising the results of oil pulling. Simply put a spoonful of coconut oil in your mouth and swish it between your teeth for 5 to 20 minutes. Or add a few drops to your toothbrush and simple brush it on, or add the coconut oil to a corner of a clean wash cloth and rub it on. Also, coconut oil has antimicrobial properties so it’s great for your gums as well.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)
It makes sense that apple cider vinegar would eventually work as a mouth gum cleanerand remove stubborn stains on the teeth, especially from coffee and nicotine. It has been proven that it does work as a natural teeth whitener but you have to be consistent and it takes a least a month of continuous usage to see results. Some say that using ACV looks like you just got your teeth professionally cleaned. Be careful, as with all acids, it can remove the enamel on your teeth as well. After brushing with ACV, you will need to brush again with regular toothpaste, preferably a non fluoride paste, or rinse your mouth out really well.
5. Lemon or Orange Peels
There have been reports that lemon and or orange peels will also do the trick of whitening your teeth. Guess you don’t know until you try. Here again, these food products are very healthy and good for your stomach but the acid content might eventually wear away the enamel on the teeth. So if you use lemon or orange peel always rinse afterwards to be on the safe side. A good oral mouth rinse is hydrogen peroxide because it keeps breath fresh by eliminating bad breath and also is a very good bacterial agent. Use half water and half hydrogen peroxide, swish around in your mouth and leave in for at least a full minute.
6. Strawberries
It has been said that Catherine Zeta Jones whitens her teeth with strawberries. Who would have thought? Tyra Banks tried this teeth whitening trick on her show. She simply mashed up about four or five strawberries and rubbed this yummy mixture all over her teeth. Tyra Banks teeth are already really white from having them bleached so you couldn’t really tell any difference. Some people say this really does work, and if Catherine Zeta Jones rubs her teeth with strawberries, it must be worth giving it a try. Some people say this works right away. Rinse well afterwards.
Keywords: Whitening teeth, natural, Natural whitening, Natural whitening teeth
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