A smile is one of the most important facial expressions that we have. It’s only natural that we want our teeth to look great when we flash our pearly whites.
You shouldn’t let stains or discoloration stop you from smiling. Try some of these natural and conventional ways of whitening your teeth to get a brighter smile.
1. Brush and Floss Everyday
Your dentist doesn’t tell you to brush and floss your teeth to torture you. While brushing your teeth twice per day can help prevent stains, flossing keeps your gums looking healthy. Make sure to use a soft-bristled brush and avoid scrubbing your teeth too hard, as this can wear down your enamel. Also, make sure you replace your toothbrush regularly.
2. Prevent Yellow Stains
Unfortunately, some of your favorite foods and drinks might be the cause of your yellow teeth. You can remove most of these surface stains after they’ve made their mark, but it’s best to prevent them before they happen.
These foods and drinks are the worst offenders when it comes to stains:
- Coffee and tea
- Red and white wine
- Soda
- Berries
- Soy sauce
- Tomato sauce
You don’t have to cut these foods and drinks out of your life permanently, but you should try to adjust your diet to consume less.
3. Use Lemon, Banana, or Orange Rinds
Don’t throw out your peels! Rubbing your teeth with the inside of lemon, banana, or orange peels can help whiten them. Brush your teeth with toothpaste after using the peels; you should notice results after a few weeks. Remember to stop using this technique if your teeth are more sensitive because the acid in the fruit peels can wear down your enamel.
4. Try Oil Pulling
Oil pulling improves oral hygiene by swishing oil around in your mouth. The tradition began in India, and it is a relatively safe method for whitening teeth since it doesn’t involve harmful chemicals or damage your enamel.
If you want to try this method, place 1 tablespoon of coconut oil inside your mouth. Then, swish the oil to push and pull it through your teeth. It will take a few minutes for the oil to become more liquid, but continue the process for at least 15 minutes to see results.
5. Try Activated Charcoal Powder
You’ve probably used charcoal face wash to eliminate blackheads, but did you know charcoal is also good for your teeth? Add a little activated charcoal powder to your toothbrush, and start brushing.
Activated charcoal attaches to the stains on your teeth, allowing you to easily brush away surface stains. Your teeth will become a scary shade of black as you brush, but don’t worry, some thorough rinsing will get your teeth back to normal.
6. Eat Fruits and Vegetables with a High Water Concentration
Some experts say fruits and vegetables containing lots of water can help whiten teeth. Furthermore, since many of these fruits and vegetables contain vitamin C, they can also help keep plaque off your teeth. Some good options include papaya, pineapple, carrots, and potatoes.
7. Create a Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide Paste
You can create whitening toothpaste by mixing one tablespoon of baking soda and two tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide. Brush with this homemade paste to eliminate plaque and whiten your teeth. Thoroughly rinse your mouth afterward, and you’ll be on your way to getting whiter teeth.
8. Rinse With Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has a wide array of uses, including whitening your teeth. Add a small amount of apple cider vinegar to a cup and dilute it with water. Swish it in your mouth for up to 30 seconds to achieve a brighter smile.
Remember that apple cider vinegar is very acidic, so dilute it with water and avoid brushing your teeth after rinsing it. Otherwise, it can cause damage to your enamel.
9. Use Whitening Toothpaste
In addition to natural remedies, whitening toothpaste can help you get whiter teeth. Many kinds of toothpaste, like Crest 3D White, can reliably remove and prevent surface stains while remaining gentle on your enamel.
10. Apply Whitening Strips
Teeth-whitening strips are usually a person’s go-to whitening method. Strips contain a peroxide gel that whitens teeth, offering a quick fix for pesky surface stains. Avoid using whitening strips too much or leaving them on too long because the peroxide can erode your enamel, causing your teeth to become more sensitive.
11. Try a Teeth Whitening Pen
As technology advances, we have access to even more products that can help us whiten our teeth. This includes teeth-whitening pens from Colgate and other brands. You apply the whitening pen to your teeth before bedtime, then sleep and let the ingredients work their magic overnight. It’s that simple.
12. Consider Upgrading Your Toothbrush
You don’t always have to see a dentist for an expensive teeth whitening treatment. Some of the best teeth whitening methods can be done from your home.
Are you still using a manual toothbrush? Electric toothbrushes will give you much better results when cleaning your teeth. Invest in one of these electric toothbrushes for under $100, and you’ll get healthier teeth without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes teeth turn yellow?
There are several reasons why teeth turn yellow. Common causes include smoking, poor oral hygiene, enamel breaking down, and consuming large quantities of certain foods and beverages (like soda, coffee, and tea).
Do I need to whiten my teeth?
Some yellowing occurs naturally over time, and in most cases it is completely harmless to your teeth. Therefore, teeth whitening is a purely cosmetic choice and not usually required.
Can my dentist do anything to whiten my teeth?
There are many home remedies to help whiten teeth. However, if you don’t see any results from those methods, you can talk to your dentist about cosmetic whitening. It is usually expensive and not covered by insurance, but it is an option that is available.
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