The focal point of a beautiful, confident smile? Bright white teeth, of course. And a dazzling smile starts with a good oral routine.
After all, having bright white teeth can make you look up to five years younger. However, there are many reasons why your teeth look dull and lose their bright and white shine. For example, enamel staining is typical of some foods. Additionally, plaque buildup on your teeth can also make them appear yellow.
While professional teeth whitening is still the fastest way to reverse yellow or discolored teeth, there are a few things you can do at home to whiten your teeth and bring back the sparkle to your smile.
1. Brushing teeth with baking soda
Baking soda is a popular ingredient in toothpaste for its natural whitening properties. The mild abrasive characteristic of baking soda helps remove stains from the teeth while also challenging the growth of more bacteria by creating an alkaline environment. Baking soda is not the fastest way to whiten teeth at home, but it is undoubtedly effective in providing results over time.
2. Use of hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide, a natural whitening ingredient, helps kill oral bacteria while whitening teeth. However, if you are looking for remedies on how to whiten teeth naturally, hydrogen peroxide is not a solution that you may prefer. In addition, you should use hydrogen peroxide carefully without exceeding the recommended dose because it can cause gum irritation if misused.
3. Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is an economical method of whitening teeth naturally. It also helps kill the bacteria in your mouth. However, you should not use apple cider vinegar often because it can erode the enamel and soften your teeth, making you susceptible to infections such as tooth decay.
4. Strawberry and baking soda paste
The malic acid found in strawberries is in many dental products to help whiten teeth to remove surface stains. If you like, mix a paste of strawberries with baking soda, apply it to your teeth, leave it for a few minutes and rinse your mouth to brush again with regular toothpaste to remove any berry residue.
5. Oil pulling
Oil pulling is a conventional safe remedy originating from Asia to improve oral hygiene and rid the body of toxins. It requires you to put oil in your mouth to kill the bacteria that turns into plaque to make your teeth look yellow. Coconut oil, rich in lauric acid, is renowned for its ability to reduce inflammation and destroy bacteria. Some research suggests that daily oil pulling helps whiten teeth by reducing oral bacteria in addition to plaque and gingivitis.
6. Banana peels
Banana peels are rich in minerals like manganese, magnesium and potassium, which are absorbed by your teeth to whiten them. Just rub the banana peels on your teeth for two minutes and brushing with your regular toothpaste is enough to get the desired results.
7. Whitening toothpaste with turmeric
You might not think that yellow turmeric is effective in whitening teeth because you wouldn’t know that a toothpaste of turmeric powder, peppermint essential oil and coconut oil with a few drops of peppermint oil makes an effective combination to remove plaque effortlessly. In addition, this combination is also antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. The combination ensures that your teeth become whiter and are kept in optimal shape.
8. Rely on a diet of fruits and vegetables
A diet of fruits and vegetables benefits your body and teeth if you eat them often. Your diet is no substitute for brushing and flossing. However, crunchy vegetables and raw fruits help to scrub plaque off your teeth when you chew them for brighter teeth. People claim that strawberries and pineapples help whiten teeth.
9. Household kits
Home teeth whitening kits are a more affordable alternative to professional whitening treatments, which can provide immediate and more impressive results but at a higher price. DIY teeth whitening can include whitening strips, trays, gels, pens, toothpastes, mouthwashes, and LED lights as accelerators, which can provide noticeable results both immediately and over time.
