5 Easy Natural Ways To Whiten Your Teeth

Your smile is often the first thing someone sees when they greet you. However, with aging and other habits, you may start to notice a yellowing of your teeth. While a cosmetic dentist can do a whitening treatment in the office, you can add all-natural teeth whitening solutions to your everyday home routines.

What Causes Teeth to Appear Discolored?

Many things can contribute to yellowish or grey teeth, such as:

• Coffee
• Tea
• Soda
• Wine
• Tobacco
• Age
• Poor dental hygiene
• Medication

Also, if in Orthodontic treatment, the colored ties you chose for your metal braces can make your teeth take on various shades.  Try out different color options to determine what makes your pearly whites shine the brightest!

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How to Get White Teeth Naturally

There are many options for whitening teeth, such as over-the-counter products and premium professional teeth whitening services. However, there are also natural ways that can help keep your smile bright between treatments.

1. Baking Soda

Does baking soda whiten teeth? Baking soda is known for its incredible cleaning abilities, which may have you wondering how to whiten your teeth with baking soda. Baking soda is a mild abrasive and natural whitener found in a lot of dental products. Just make sure you talk to your dentist to see if they recommend adding it to your dental routine.

2. Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen Peroxide is mild bleach and is often used in professional products to whiten teeth. If you’re concerned about the discoloration of your teeth, your dentist may recommend using a mouthwash or toothpaste that contains hydrogen peroxide to keep your smile looking bright.

3. Coconut Oil

Oil pulling is a debated discussion as it relates to whitening teeth. Does coconut oil whiten teeth? Some say that swishing the oil around in your mouth for about 10-15 minutes may help remove bacteria that contribute to discoloration.

According to a study published in the Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine¹, researchers “observed statistically significant reduction of plaque and gingival indices upon oil pulling using coconut oil.” These results show that coconut oil may help with keeping teeth white.

4. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar is considered a powerhouse health aid for a long list of issues, but can it help whiten your teeth? A few swishes of diluted vinegar may effectively kill bacteria and reduce plaque when done in moderation.

While vinegar may have whitening effects, a study shared by the National Library of Medicine² states that white vinegar can damage enamel compared to apple cider vinegar. Make sure you’re using the right kind of vinegar, and always consult with your dentist before trying this natural whitening aid.

5. Activated Charcoal

Charcoal is another natural teeth whitening option that’s gaining popularity as a way to brighten your smile. However, there is little scientific proof to confirm whether activated charcoal is as effective as other teeth whitening methods.

What we can say is there’s an increasing number of testimonials, personal stories, and images that all boast activated charcoal’s ability to whiten teeth. It’s important to talk to your dentist before trying any natural teeth whitening method, including activated charcoal.

A white smile starts with strong, healthy teeth. Schedule a teeth cleaning today to keep up with your oral health!

Natural Teeth Whitening – FAQs

As dentists, we get a lot of questions about quick home fixes for discolored teeth. Here are some of our answers to the most frequently asked questions.

Does Fluoride Whiten Teeth?

Fluoride treatments are often used with tooth whitening products since it strengthens enamel and can reduce teeth sensitivity. Fluoride itself doesn’t whiten teeth, but using fluoride supplements or fluoride toothpaste will help keep your teeth in top condition.

Can Strawberries Be Used To Whiten Yellowing Teeth?

You may have heard that strawberries contain citric acid and malic acid, which work as natural enamel whiteners. However, there is not much scientific proof to back this approach.

Can I Whiten Teeth at Home In One Day?

If you’re wondering how to whiten teeth instantly at home, there’s really no immediate fix. In fact, it can be damaging to your enamel to whiten teeth too aggressively. You may also experience white spots on teeth after whitening with overexposure to abrasive chemicals.

How Much Does It Cost To Whiten Teeth?

The cost of whitening teeth depends on the option you choose and the level of discoloration. Although professional whitening treatments may cost more than over-the-counter home kits, they whiten teeth fast, are more effective, and last longer.

Get back on track with your dental health! Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

Natural teeth whitening at home can be an effective way to brighten your smile. However, be sure to discuss these options with your dentist. Ultimately, your goal should be good oral health for a brighter smile!

Sources:

¹Shanbhag V. K. (6 June 2016). Oil pulling for maintaining oral hygiene – A review. Journal of traditional and complementary medicine, 7(1), 106–109. Retrieved 12 November 2021.

²Zheng LW, Li Di-ze, Lu JZ, Hu W, Chen D, Zhou XD. (November 2014). Effects of vinegar on tooth bleaching and dental hard tissues in vitro. Sichuan Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban. 2014 Nov;45(6):933-6, 945. Chinese. PMID: 25571718. Retrieved 12 November 2021.