DIY Natural Ways to Whiten Teeth

A tooth is made up of 4 tissues, enamel (strong white covering to protect the tooth), dentin (a hard yellow material supporting enamel), pulp (center of the tooth and has blood and lymph vessels) and cementum (covers the root of the tooth).

The enamel and dentin will play a major role in teeth discoloration. Teeth discoloration is mainly caused due to aging, unhealthy food habits, certain illness, over usage of certain medications, genetics, poor oral hygiene, smoking or chewing tobacco, tea or coffee, etc. will stain your teeth.

Everyone wants a sprinkling white teeth and a beautiful smile. It’s not impossible to lighten up your world with your smile like celebrities. Don’t think of those harmful cosmetic teeth whitening creams or toothpaste, as there are many natural home remedies available to whiten your teeth.

Home Remedies for Teeth Whitening:

Listed below are the best teeth whitening remedies that won’t make your teeth sensitive. But remember that these remedies won’t give results for one-time usage, you have to follow them regularly with patience.

Baking Soda:

Baking soda acts as a mild abrasive that gently scrub away the surface stains on the teeth to give a whiter shade. It is alkaline in nature that balances the pH of the mouth by neutralizing the acidic effect caused due to acidic foods and prevents teeth discoloration.

When baking soda mixed with water, it releases free radicals that break down the stain causing molecules on your tooth enamel and clear away after brushing.

Steps to be followed…

• Mix 3 – 4 tablespoons of baking soda with enough water to make a fine paste.
• Then wipe your teeth and mouth to remove extra saliva by using a paper towel.
• Now apply this paste on your teeth with the help of a toothbrush.
• Let it sit for a couple of minutes and rinse off thoroughly with water.
• Repeat this process for once or twice a week, as it wears away the tooth enamel.

Note:

• Alternatively, use lemon juice (or) lemon juice with salt (or) lemon juice with white vinegar (or) hydrogen peroxide instead of water in this process to get rid of teeth discoloration.
• Or simply sprinkle some baking soda on your regular toothpaste before brushing.
• Make sure that not to use baking soda excessively, as it strips your natural enamel of your teeth.

Strawberries:

Strawberries have a rich amount of vitamin C that helps to break down the plaque causing yellow teeth. It has an enzyme called malic acid that removes the surface stains.

The salt used in this process acts as an abrasive agent that scrub away the stains and baking soda is an antibacterial that removes the bacteria causing discoloration and foul odors.

Steps to be followed…

• Mash 2 – 3 large strawberries into pulp form.
• Mix 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda and a pinch of sea salt in this pulp.
• Stir well and wipe out your teeth to clear any extra saliva using a paper towel.
• Now apply a generous amount of this mix on the toothbrush and apply all over your teeth.
• Leave for 5 – 7 minutes and rinse your teeth completely.
• For best and quick results, do this at night before bedtime regularly.

Note: Alternatively, apply mashed strawberries (or) strawberries mash with baking soda (or) consume strawberries by chewing it thoroughly to whiten your teeth.

Coconut Oil Rinse:

Rinsing your mouth with coconut oil (oil pulling) is an age old remedy used to treat your yellow teeth and enhance oral health. It has lauric acid and other medium chain fatty acids that prevent the bacterial action and removes plaque causing yellow teeth.

It breaks down stains on the teeth, loosens plaque, detoxifies the mouth and eliminates bacteria and other toxins. It promotes gum health and keeps your breath fresh.

Steps to be followed…

• Before brushing, scoop out a teaspoon of organic coconut oil and place it in your mouth.
• Then start doing the actions push, swish and pull the oil in your mouth.
• Continue oil pulling all around your teeth for 10 – 15 minutes.
• After that, spit out the oil and wash your mouth thoroughly with water.
• Finally, brush your teeth with your regular toothpaste.
• Regular follow – up of this process will help you to get whiter teeth.

Note: Or mix some mashed peppermint leaves to coconut oil for a minty fresh feel and to remove surface bacteria causing yellow teeth. Use this toothpaste regularly.

Hydrogen Peroxide:

Hydrogen peroxide prevents the growth of bacteria and other microbes causing plaque, infections and discoloration of your teeth. Always use food grade hydrogen peroxide for oral problems.

Steps to be followed…

• Swish some hydrogen peroxide (3%) in and around your mouth for few seconds.
• Spit out and rinse your mouth thoroughly with water.
• Repeat regularly for best and quick results of whitening your teeth.

Note:

• Or mix equal quantities of food grade hydrogen peroxide with water. Use this mix to swish your mouth for a minute and spit it out.
• Or make a whitening mouthwash by mixing 1 tablespoon of baking soda and 1 ½ teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide in 1 cup of cold water. Stir well and use this mouthwash regularly for 2 – 3 times per day.

Basil:

The holy basil leaves contain certain teeth whitening properties that help to protect your teeth from certain dental problems like pyorrhea, bad breath, etc. and provides complete oral care.

Steps to be followed…

• Dry few leaves of holy basil in the sun for few hours.
• Then grind it to make a powder form and mix this powder to your regular toothpaste.
• Now brush your teeth with this paste to get rid of yellow teeth.
• Do this process regularly to whiten up your teeth and to get proper oral care.

Note: Or make a paste of holy basil leaves with mustard oil and use it to clean your teeth.

Lemon:

Lemon has bleaching property that whitens your teeth. It has rich content of vitamin C and citric acid that stimulates the saliva production to prevent the formation of plaque and lightens your teeth.

Steps to be followed…

• Mix some salt in few drops of fresh lemon juice.
• Apply this mix on the stained teeth and rub it all over the teeth and gums.
• Let it sit for few minutes and rinse your mouth with water.
• Continue doing this process once or twice daily to get relief from tartar and yellow teeth.

Note:

• Also, gargling with lemon juice (or) scrubbing your teeth with a lemon peel will help you to get rid of yellow teeth.
• Or use an orange peel or banana peel instead of lemon. Rub your teeth with orange peel at night before bedtime to whiten your teeth.

Salt:

Salt is a basic dental cleaning agent that used from centuries. It helps a lot in replenishing the lost mineral content and thus restores your white teeth.

Steps to be followed…

• Use common salt as your tooth powder.
• Brush your teeth with this powder regularly in the morning.
• Remember that if you’re suffering from hyper tension or kidney problems, then avoid using this salt method.
• Avoid using salt roughly on teeth, as it causes some damage to your gums and tooth enamel.

Note: Also, mix salt with baking soda (or) activated charcoal and use this mix to brush your teeth.

Activated Charcoal:

Charcoal has natural adhesive property which absorbs tannins (like tea, coffee, red wine) and plaque to clear away these things when you spit it out. It also has antimicrobial properties that make it to remove bacteria and other impurities in the mouth and gives whiter teeth.

Steps to be followed…

• Add 1/4 teaspoon of activated charcoal in 1 teaspoon of your regular toothpaste.
• Mix well and use it to brush your teeth for 1 – 2 minutes.
• Rinse off thoroughly with water and repeat it regularly.

Note:

• Or simply dip your tooth brush in activated charcoal and brush your teeth. Also, replace charcoal with ashes of burnt bread or rosemary herb.
• Or mix 1/2 teaspoon each of activated charcoal powder and water to make a mouthwash. Swish the mix all over your mouth for few minutes and spit out. Rinse your mouth thoroughly.

Apple Cider Vinegar:

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) works well as a mouth gum cleanser and thus removes the stubborn stains on your teeth. It is acidic in nature that might remove the enamel of your teeth. So, brush your teeth with your regular toothpaste after using ACV.

Steps to be followed…

• Add 1 part of organic apple cider vinegar in 2 parts of water.
• Stir well and use this mix to gargle your mouth for 2 – 3 minutes.
• Spit out and brush your teeth with regular toothpaste.
• Repeat it once a week for whitening your teeth.

Turmeric:

Turmeric has anti-bacterial and antimicrobial property that prevents germs causing tooth decay and gum diseases.

Steps to be followed…

• Roast turmeric and crush it into powder form.
• Then add some lime juice and salt in it.
• Stir well to make a fine paste and apply it on the teeth.
• Wait for few minutes and rinse off with water thoroughly.
• Continue doing this process for once or twice a week to get rid of yellow teeth.

Note: Or mix turmeric with enough water and use it as your toothpaste or mouth rinse.

Tips and Precautions:

1. Prevent certain foods and drinks causing stain on the enamel and thus breaking down the enamel and weakening it.
2. Dentists suggest that flossing twice daily will give best protection against many dental problems, as it removes stains and plaque (bacteria) in between your teeth and provides you with white pearly teeth.
3. Crunchy fruits and vegetables like apples, strawberries, carrots, celery, cucumber, broccoli, etc. will acts as a natural toothbrush. So, chew them regularly to remove plaque and scrub the surface stains.
4. Use a straw while drinking coffee, soda, tea, wine, dark beverages, etc. which causes some damage to the teeth enamel, if taken directly. Or make sure to brush / rinse your teeth after drinking these beverages to prevent the damage.
5. Brush your teeth after drinking or eating something to prevent the formation of stains on your teeth and thus leads to yellow teeth.
6. Always it’s suggested to brush your teeth with your regular toothpaste after using these teeth whitener remedies to remove the residue.
7. Be extra cautious while using these natural remedies, as some remedies might cause irritation of the gums and makes your teeth sensitive.
8. Replace your toothbrush for every 2 – 3 months and also brush your teeth gently without using much force on your teeth.
9. Include dark chocolates, a cup of herbal tea, fibrous food, fresh fruits and vegetables, sugar-free gums, etc. in your diet to get rid of yellow teeth.
10. Make sure to consult your dentist if you didn’t get any effective results or experiencing side effects while using these natural remedies.
11. Avoid brushing your teeth with baking soda if you have braces.
12. Certain remedies like turmeric, charcoal, lemon, etc. might cause stains on clothes and surface. So, be cautious while using these remedies for teeth whitening.
13. Pregnant or nursing women or children should not use these remedies without consulting the doctor, as it might cause any harm to them, if not used in a proper manner.
14. These remedies might interact with your medications or increases your health problems. So, consult doctor to know whether you can use them or not as per your health problems.

That’s all for now about Natural Remedies to Whiten your Teeth, Just follow these remedies and let me know which remedies works best in whitening your teeth by sharing with us.