10 Natural Ways to Whiten Your Teeth
If you want to whiten your teeth but aren't a fan of those white strips, these natural whiteners provide a painless solution.
Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide
Mix together baking soda and a 3 percent solution hydrogen peroxide until it forms a paste. Gently apply to surface of teeth using toothbrush or finger, avoiding the gum line. Let it sit on your teeth for one to two minutes, then rinse with water and brush as normal.
Rinse with coconut oil
Oil pulling—the practice of swishing oil in the mouth—was first used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat oral pain. Some people claim that oil pulling with coconut oil for 20 minutes a day can help whiten teeth.
Apple cider vinegar
Brushing your teeth with apple cider vinegar before brushing with regular toothpaste can help whiten teeth over time, if practiced consistently. Use caution though, as apple cider vinegar can also remove the enamel on your teeth.
Cleanse with fruit
We all know that eating fruit is good for you, but it may also be good for your teeth. Mash up a handful of strawberries, rub over teeth, then rinse. Or try rubbing lemon or orange peels over teeth before brushing with regular toothpaste.
Floss regularly
Regularly flossing your teeth will remove plaque and ensure that the area between the teeth stays clean. By keeping your gums healthy, your teeth will also look brighter and healthier.
Eat cheese
Dairy products such as yogurt and cheese contain calcium, which helps keep teeth healthy and white, and a certain protein that helps protect tooth enamel. Cheese also contains lactic acid, which helps protect against tooth decay. Hard cheeses have the added benefit of helping remove food particles.
Eat saliva-producing foods
Foods that increase saliva flow helps remove bacteria from your mouth and whiten teeth. Good saliva-producing foods include apples, pears, celery and carrots.
Add milk or cream to coffee
It’s well-known that coffee can stain teeth. However, when milk or cream is added, the chemistry of coffee changes, and it makes it more difficult for stains to stick to the tooth’s surface.
Leafy greens
Leafy greens contain a certain mineral that can produce a protective film over the teeth. Good options include spinach, broccoli and kale.
Stick to water
When it comes to avoiding teeth-staining beverages, water is your best choice. Soda is particularly harmful because it contains acids that can strip your teeth’s enamel. If you do drink teeth-staining beverages, drinking through a straw can help reduce staining.