5 Ways To Whiten Your Teeth

Everywhere you turn someone’s going to whiten your teeth. From expensive dental procedures, super charged toothpaste or chemical tasting strips, you can get it done. Yet, adding a few dietary and herbal tools may help you get to the root of the problem having never to worry about yellow, stained teeth again.

Plus, it’s a win-win because these 5 do-it-yourself (DIY) ways to whiten your teeth may also help other issues such as halitosis, gum disease and overall systemic well being. Always check with your doctor and dentist before using alternative remedies for dental care.

Baking Soda

There’s a funny reference in the movie, My Big Fat Greek Wedding about Windex being able to fix anything. Well, baking soda is kind of like that. From cleaning hair to unclogging drains this is surely a useful powder.

For whitening teeth, sprinkle some on a wet toothbrush and gently scrub. Rinse and polish with toothpaste. Make a paste mixing hydrogen peroxide and baking soda for extra whitening power.

A study by researchers at the University Park Research Center, Fort Wayne, IN concluded on using baking soda to whiten teeth,

“The collective results from the five controlled clinical studies on over 270 subjects reported in this paper, consistently demonstrate that Arm & Hammer baking soda dentifrices [whitening powder] enhanced plaque removal effectiveness of tooth brushing to a significantly greater extent than the non-baking soda dentifrice products.”

Note: Too much baking soda (and hydrogen peroxide) can be abrasive and in some cases caustic. Talk to your doctor and dentist before using.

Strawberry Savior

Malic acid is a natural ingredient in strawberries that is capable of removing stains from teeth. These berries are able to also buff the teeth with their seedy texture creating a polished result. Some people use a clean finger to gently rub strawberry on the teeth. Be sure to rinse and brush afterwards.

Don’t Get Dark, Get Apple Cider

Dark foods are notorious for staining teeth. Stay away from blueberries, marinara sauce, coffee, soy sauce and red wine. If consumed frequently, over time, these foods could turn those pearly whites yellow.

Rinsing your mouth with two parts water and one part apple cider vinegar shortly after consuming these foods may reduce or even eliminate staining. For stubborn teeth, rinsing with apple cider vinegar daily and, along with brushing and some other DIY whitening remedies, may lift embedded stains bringing out the white.

Note: Vinegar may be caustic. Talk to your doctor and dentist before using for dental health.

8 Minute Oil Pull

The practice of oil pulling has been around for centuries. Take a teaspoon or more of coconut or sesame oil and swish it around your mouth two times for four minutes each shortly after rising in the morning or before bed. Spit into a garbage (may clog drains), rinse with water and brush with toothpaste.

The properties in the oil are believed to “pull” toxins from the mouth and teeth reducing halitosis and staining elements. Some even believe it can systemically remove toxins and alleviate a variety of health ailments such as viruses, bacteria and yeast.

Banana-nah

Peel a banana and hopefully enjoy some yummy sweetness. Then take the inside of the peel and gently rub it on your teeth.

New York based dentist, Gerry Curatola, commented to Women’s Health,

“You can use the inside of a banana peel, which is rich in potassium, magnesium, manganese, and other minerals, to whiten teeth,..The rich minerals in a banana are absorbed into your enamel and have healthy whitening effects.”  (12/15/14)

Before you run to the nearest high priced laser, blue light, radiation contraption or stick your teeth into trays of cold chemical gel, talk to your doctor and dentist about trying these 5 DIY ways to whiten your teeth.