If you want whiter teeth but also want to avoid chemicals, this article lists many options that are both natural and safe.
There are many products you can choose for whitening your teeth. However, most whitening products use chemicals to whiten your teeth. If you want whiter teeth but also want to avoid chemicals, this article lists many options that are both natural and safe.
What causes teeth to look yellow?
Numerous factors cause teeth to become dull and lose their shiny, white luster. Some foods can stain your enamel, which is the outermost layer of your teeth. Additionally, plaque buildup on your teeth can cause them to appear yellow. This discoloration can usually be treated with regular cleaning and whitening medications.
However, sometimes teeth appear yellow because the hard enamel is worn away and the dentine underneath is exposed. Dentin is a natural yellow, bony tissue underlying enamel.
Here are 7 simple ways to naturally whiten your teeth.
1. Coconut oil
Coconut oil is a traditional Indian folk remedy for improving oral hygiene and removing toxins from the body. The application involves entangling the oil in your mouth to remove bacteria that can turn into plaque and cause your teeth to turn yellow. Coconut oil is a popular choice because it has a pleasant taste and offers many health benefits. Coconut oil is also high in lauric acid, known for its ability to reduce inflammation and kill bacteria. Several studies have shown that daily fat intake reduces bacteria, plaque and gingivitis in the mouth.
It is a safe application and worth a try. Many people claim that their teeth become whiter and brighter after regular oil extraction.
To draw oil, put 1 tablespoon of coconut oil in your mouth and push and pull the oil against your teeth. Since coconut oil is solid at room temperature, you may need to wait a few seconds for it to melt. Continue drawing oil for 15-20 minutes.
Unlike many other tooth whitening methods, coconut oil pulling won’t expose your teeth to acid or other ingredients that erode enamel. This means it is safe to do daily.
SUMMARY
Coconut oil pulling contains swelling oil in your mouth for 15-20 minutes to remove bacteria. In this daily practice, plaque can be reduced and your teeth shine.
2.Brush with baking powder
Baking soda has natural whitening properties, so it’s a popular ingredient in commercial toothpaste. It is a mild abrasive that can help remove surface stains on teeth. Additionally, baking soda creates an alkaline environment in your mouth, which prevents bacteria from multiplying.
This is not a remedy that will whiten your teeth overnight, but you should notice a difference in the appearance of your teeth over time. Science has not yet proven that brushing with plain baking soda can whiten your teeth, but some studies show that toothpaste containing baking soda has a significant whitening effect.
One study found that toothpastes containing baking soda were significantly more effective at removing yellow stains from teeth than standard toothpastes without baking soda. The higher the baking soda concentration, the greater the effect.
Also, a review of five studies found that toothpastes containing baking soda could remove plaque more effectively than non-baking soda toothpastes.
To use this remedy, mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda with 2 teaspoons of water and brush your teeth with paste. You can do this several times a week.
SUMMARY
Scrubbing with a paste made with baking soda and water can reduce bacteria in your mouth and remove surface stains.
3.Use hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a natural bleaching agent that kills bacteria in your mouth. In fact, people have been using hydrogen peroxide to disinfect wounds for years, due to its ability to kill bacteria. Many commercial whitening products contain hydrogen peroxide, although it is in a much higher concentration than you would use.
Unfortunately, no studies have examined the effects of rinsing or brushing with hydrogen peroxide alone, but several studies have examined commercial toothpastes containing peroxide.
Another study found that brushing twice daily with a commercial toothpaste containing baking soda and peroxide resulted in 62% whiter teeth in 6 weeks.
However, there are some questions regarding the safety of hydrogen peroxide.
While extremely diluted concentrations appear safe, strong concentrations or overuse can cause gum irritation and tooth sensitivity. There are also concerns that high doses may cause cancer, but this has not been proven.
One way to use hydrogen peroxide is like a mouthwash before brushing your teeth. Be sure to use a 1.5% or 3% solution to avoid side effects.
The most common concentration of hydrogen peroxide in the pharmacy is a 3% solution. You can easily dilute this concentration to 1.5% by mixing peroxide and water in equal parts.
Another way to use hydrogen peroxide is by mixing it with baking soda to make toothpaste. Add 2 teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide and 1 teaspoon of baking soda and gently brush your teeth with the mixture.
Limit the use of this homemade paste to a few times a week, as excessive use can erode tooth enamel.
SUMMARY
Hydrogen peroxide is a natural bleaching agent and can kill bacteria in your mouth. You can use it as a mouthwash or mix it with baking soda to create a whitening toothpaste.
4.Use apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has been used as a disinfectant and natural cleaning product for centuries. Acetic acid, the main active ingredient in apple cider vinegar, kills bacteria. The antibacterial property of vinegar is what makes it useful for cleaning your mouth and whitening your teeth.
A study on cow teeth found that apple cider vinegar had a whitening effect. However, it has also been found that vinegar can soften teeth.
The acetic acid contained in vinegar has the potential to erode the enamel on the teeth. For this reason, you should not use apple cider vinegar every day. You should also limit how long apple cider vinegar comes into contact with your teeth. To use a mouthwash, dilute it with water and swish it in your mouth for a few minutes. Make sure to rinse your mouth with plain water afterwards.
SUMMARY
Apple cider vinegar has antibacterial properties that can help whiten your teeth. However, excessive use of vinegar can also erode tooth enamel, so limit its use to several times a week.
5.Eat fruits and vegetables
A diet high in fruits and vegetables can be good for both your body and your teeth. While they don’t replace brushing them, crunchy, raw fruits and vegetables can help you rub your plaque while chewing. Strawberry and pineapple are two fruits that are claimed to help whiten your teeth.
Strawberries
Whitening your teeth with a mixture of strawberries and baking soda is a natural remedy popularized by celebrities. Proponents of this method claim that the malic acid found in strawberries will remove discoloration from your teeth, while baking soda will remove stains.
However, this solution has not been fully supported by science.
While strawberries help shed your teeth and make them appear whiter, they are less likely to penetrate the stains on your teeth.
A recent study found that a mixture of strawberry and baking soda produced little discoloration in teeth compared to commercial whitening products.
If you decide to try this method, limit its use to a few times a week.
Despite studies showing that strawberry and baking soda paste has minimal effects on tooth enamel, overuse can cause damage.
To use this remedy, shred fresh strawberries, combine them with baking soda, and brush the mixture on your teeth.
Pineapple
Some claim that pineapple teeth whiten. One study found that a toothpaste containing bromelain, an enzyme found in pineapples, was more effective at removing tooth stains than a standard toothpaste.
However, there is no evidence that eating pineapple produces the same effect.
SUMMARY
Some fruits may have teeth-whitening properties. Use raw fruits and vegetables regularly to rub plaque and keep your teeth looking shiny.
6.Prevent tooth stains before they happen
While your teeth naturally turn yellow as you age, some things can help prevent stains on your teeth.
Limit stained foods and drinks
Coffee, red wine, soda and dark colored fruits are very effective in staining teeth.
This doesn’t mean you should avoid them completely, but you should limit the amount of time these items come into contact with your teeth.
Drinks that are known to stain teeth from straw to avoid direct contact with your teeth, if possible.
Also, brush your teeth immediately after drinking one of these foods or drinks to limit their effect on the color of your teeth.
Additionally, avoid smoking and chewing tobacco, as both can cause the tooth to fade.
Limit your sugar intake
If you want whiter teeth, cut your sugar intake. A diet high in sugar supports the growth of Streptococcus mutans, the primary type of bacteria that causes plaque and gingivitis.
When you have a sugary food, be sure to brush your teeth after a short time.
Get plenty of calcium in your diet
In some tooth discolorations, the enamel is eroded and the underlying yellow dentine is exposed. Therefore, anything you do to strengthen tooth enamel will help keep your teeth pearly white. Calcium-rich foods such as milk, cheese, and broccoli can help protect your teeth from enamel erosion.
SUMMARY
A healthy diet with enough calcium can help prevent yellowing of your teeth. Brushing your teeth right after eating can also help prevent stains.
7.Do not underestimate the value of brushing and flossing.
While some tooth discoloration naturally comes with age, this is largely a result of plaque buildup. Brushing and flossing regularly can help keep your teeth white by reducing bacteria in your mouth and preventing plaque buildup. The toothpaste gently rubs away the stains on your teeth and flossing flushes bacteria that cause clogging.
Regular dental cleaning can also help keep teeth clean and white.
SUMMARY
In addition to regular cleanings in the dentist’s office, daily brushing and flossing prevents the accumulation of yellowing plaques on your teeth.
Result
There are several natural remedies to help whiten your teeth. Most of these medications work by gently removing surface stains on your teeth.
However, most dentists offer whitening treatments that are far more powerful than these natural remedies. They involve bleaching the teeth, which can be more effective for severe tooth discoloration. Overuse of any whitening product can damage your teeth.
Always check with your dentist about your options and what works best for you.