Bright-white smiles are what most people crave, and there are many products and treatments developed for this purpose that help to whiten teeth. Conversely, there are numerous homemade recipes that you can try.
Here are the top five natural ingredients for home teeth whitening:
1. Baking Soda and Lemon Juice
Baking soda is a common kitchen product that possesses some whitening abilities. If mixed with lemon juice, it has inherent bleaching qualities that can brighten teeth.
How to use:
- Mix minimal baking soda with enough lemon juice to form a paste.
- Put the paste on your teeth, either with your toothbrush or your finger.
- Allow it to sit there for a minute before rinsing thoroughly with water.
Note: Do not do this more than once or twice a week. After a while, the acid in the lemon juice can actually start to break down your tooth enamel.
2. Hydrogen Peroxide Rinse
The natural bleaching property of hydrogen peroxide destroys bacteria in the mouth while whitening teeth.
Directions:
- Mix some quantity of hydrogen peroxide and water—say, equal quantities—in a tablespoon each.
- Swish it in the mouth for a minute or so.
- Spit it out, and then wash the mouth with water.
Note: Do not swallow the hydrogen peroxide mix.
3. Oil Pulling
The process of oil pulling involves rinsing the mouth with oil to remove bacteria and promote hygiene. There are also individuals who believe it helps to whiten their teeth.
How to Use:
- Take a tablespoon of coconut oil.
- Swish it around in the mouth for 15 minutes.
- Dispose of the oil by spitting into a waste paper basket and not into the drain, as it may solidify in the drain; then, rinse the mouth with water.
Note: This actually takes a few weeks to show noticeable results but is safe to do every day.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has been a well-known product used to clean and disinfect. Acetic acid in apple cider vinegar might help kill those contaminants causing discoloration in teeth.
Directions:
- Dilute ACV in the proportion of one-part vinegar to two parts water.
- Swish in your mouth and about for a minute or so.
- Spit and rinse your mouth with water.
Note: Do this very carefully, as the acid in the vinegar may hurt your tooth enamel if used too frequently. Use it only a few times a week to avoid its adverse effects.
5. Strawberry and Baking Soda
There is a natural substance in strawberries called malic acid, which is capable of removing surface stains on teeth. Combined with baking soda, this can become an efficient whitening mix.
How to use:
- Mash one ripe strawberry and mix with just a small amount of baking soda to make a paste.
- Use a toothbrush to apply the paste to the teeth, or just use a finger.
- Leave for about five minutes, spit, and wash with water.
Note: Limit this to once a week, as the acid in strawberries can cause dental damage if done frequently.
A Few Smile-Maintaining Hacks
Between these all-natural teeth-whitening methods, maintaining proper hygiene is crucial. Here are some extra helpful tips to keep your smile bright and healthy:
- Brush at least two times daily with fluoride toothpaste.
- Use dental floss every day in order to clean between teeth to get rid of plaque and trapped food particles.
- Decrease your consumption of foods and beverages like wine, coffee, and meat, which cause discoloration of your teeth.
- Avoid smoking or any tobacco use; smoking and tobacco use discolour your teeth, causing them to become yellow.
- Keep visiting your dentist near you to prevent tooth coloration with professional recommended tips.
See Your Dentist for a Professional Cleaning or Check-Up
It is quite easy and cheap to use natural whitening techniques right from the comfort of your home. Just keep the number of these methods to the minimum, paired with good oral hygiene practices for maintaining the best of looks.
If you think that house ingredients can’t help bring back your white teeth, you may want to consult a dentist in Sylvan Lake to learn about professional whitening options. At our dental clinic, Sylvan Lake Dental Centre, we provide professional teeth whitening in Sylvan Lake to whiten your teeth and give you a smile you are proud of! Book a consultation with us today.