Did you know that you can whiten your teeth naturally, just with the products in your pantry? There are many completely natural ways for you to lighten your teeth by a few shades, even though you might not achieve a completely “Hollywood” smile.
1. Eating High Cellulose Fruits and Vegetables
Apples, celery, and other high cellulose snacks will gently abrade the surfaces of your teeth, removing both plaque and stains. This is great as it will improve the health of your mouth while also improving the appearance of your smile.
2. Rinsing With Diluted Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a household staple that can easily be used to lighten your teeth over time. But be careful — there are different dilutions available for hydrogen peroxide. For these purposes, you want to get a relatively weak mix of 3% hydrogen peroxide and mix it in a 1:1 ratio with warm water. Rinse in the morning and the evening.
3. Brushing With Baking Soda
When used occasionally, a good brushing with baking soda can lift a lot of plaque from your teeth — and with it, a lot of staining. But use this method sparingly and with caution, as the abrasive material can wear down your enamel over time.
4. Using Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal is presently being used for everything from skin care to teeth, and while it may look (and taste) a little odd, it can have some fairly dramatic results. Just like baking soda, you can deposit a small amount of activated charcoal on your toothbrush and gently work it through your mouth. Again, you don’t want to do this every time you brush — just a few times every couple of days, until your teeth have lightened.
5. Oil Pulling With Coconut Oil
Oil pulling is a bit of a strange technique, but it has a lot of history. Take a small amount of coconut oil into your mouth and gently move it around for about ten to twenty minutes. The coconut oil slowly wears down at any of the plaque in your mouth, reducing your visible stains. It can also improve the general health of your teeth and gums, by combating harmful bacteria.
6. Apple Cider Vinegar
It seems like apple cider vinegar is one of those household products that can do just about anything. When used as a teeth whitener, apple cider vinegar is applied directly to the toothbrush rather than being used as a rinse. It should not be used to replace toothpaste, and it should not be used after toothpaste; it should be used just before brushing your teeth as normal.
So can you naturally whiten your teeth at home? While it’s possible, there are a couple of important things that you need to consider. Many at-home whitening products are either acidic or abrasive, which means they could damage your teeth if you aren’t careful. Moreover, at-home whitening products are likely to whiten your teeth unevenly, creating a splotched, stained appearance. It’s always a better idea to get your teeth whitened professionally — and it may be more affordable than you think.