Every single day the media bombard us with images of people with beautiful smiles and beautiful white teeth. No wonder, teeth whitening is a multi-billion dollar industry.
In modern society, the value we attach to clean white teeth is high, because it is closely linked with physical appeal and good health, and that’s why it can affect us so much emotionally.
But the problem is that it’s tough to keep teeth white with the rigors of modern living. On top of that, dentists aren’t cheap and many methods of whitening teeth are invasive and potentially damaging over the long term.
But there is good news. By learning about what makes your teeth discolored in the first place, you can avoid many of the issues at all. And if you know what to use, then a homemade teeth whitener can really benefit you, and will cost very little money.
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Why Do Our Teeth Stain?
The human tooth is made up of four layers. The top layer is enamel, which is white and protects the layers underneath. It’s the weakening of the enamel over time that causes the yellow staining. Not only can the enamel itself be stained, but as it gets thinner it reveals the yellow-tinted layer below it called dentin.
So the first tip here is not just a look at whitening your teeth, but to do things to try and strengthen and maintain the layer of enamel on your teeth, such as regular brushing and avoiding sugar.
One of the most obvious things that can stain teeth is smoking. Now if you smoke you are aware of this, and unless you give up then they will continue to be yellow and discolored.
So unless you are ready to give up, or are ready to spend a lot of money on off-the-shelf whitening kits then your only option is to try some of the tips offered here.
Other than smoking, it’s mostly different foods and drinks that stain teeth. There are a few key offenders you can avoid:
- Red wine
- Tea
- Coffee
- Blueberries and blackberries
- Soda (Coca Cola for example)
Will A Natural Teeth Whitener Work?
There is no rocket science behind why a natural teeth whitener could work. Even most teeth whitening kits use bleaching to whiten and clean the enamel. And it’s the same principle if you pay a fortune to get your dentist to whiten your teeth for you.
So the key here is to find DIY teeth whitening methods that mimic these actions, but do it mildly and cheaply.
Recommended read: Unlock the Power of Coconut Oil for Teeth Whitening
Unfortunately I do have to point out here that age will affect how white your teeth can be. The appearance of your teeth will deteriorate as you get older. A lady in her 40s cannot have the same bright natural gleam as a lady in her 20s, that’s the sad truth. But you can make the best of what you have.
3 Easy Homemade Teeth Whiteners
1. Baking soda toothpaste
Baking soda is slightly abrasive, which makes it an obvious candidate to use as a natural teeth whitener. On top of that, it is a natural alkaline, which means it can help to balance out acid in your mouth which is a major cause of enamel deterioration.
All you need to do to create baking soda toothpaste is to use a couple of teaspoons of baking soda with just enough fresh lemon juice to create a toothpaste that will be practical to use.
The lemon juice acts as a natural bleaching agent, which means this recipe both bleaches and removes stains.
Method:
Simply create the paste and rub gently but thoroughly onto dry teeth using a good quality medium toothbrush. Keep your mouth open and leave the solution on for a couple of minutes to work to its maximum, then rinse your mouth out with water.
2. Strawberry salt teeth scrub
You wouldn’t think that strawberries would be a great candidate to help with stained teeth as they contain lots of natural sugar. But the truth is they are quite acidic and abrasive in the mouth which makes them good as a natural whitening solution.
Method:
Pulp a few strawberries in a bowl. Add a pinch of sea salt and a pinch of baking soda. Then as with the previous recipe, apply to dry teeth using a good quality medium toothbrush. Leave on for a minute or two and then rinse with water.
For an added twist on this method you can also simply rub a strawberry on your teeth. This still gives you some of the benefits but it isn’t quite as intrusive. And I know it sounds crazy, but you can also do the same thing with a banana peel. Give it a try.
3. Apple cider vinegar sauce
Apple cider vinegar is not going to taste great, but when you are looking for white teeth, taste is not your main concern. The acid in the vinegar helps to bleach the teeth.
Method:
Place a couple of teaspoons of baking soda into a bowl and add enough Apple cider vinegar to create a thick paste. Apply to dry teeth with a good quality toothbrush and leave on for a couple of minutes. Then wash out with water.
Because Apple cider vinegar is quite acidic, it’s best to use this perhaps once or twice a week only.
Bonus – Charcoal Method
This one is a bit controversial or weird, you might say by looking at the image. But stay with me.
Activated coconut charcoal powder is helpful to your teeth by changing the pH balance in the mouth, and as such is effective in preventing cavities and killing the bad bacteria.
It is a substance that helps to whiten teeth by adsorbing plaque and tidbits that stain teeth from various foods and drinks like coffee, tea, wine or berries. The use of activated charcoal is a cost-effective, all-natural solution.
To whiten your teeth with activated charcoal, dip a toothbrush into the powder and brush teeth as normal, paying special attention to more stained areas. Swish a bit of water through mouth thoroughly and spit. Rinse well.
For best results, brush your teeth with activated charcoal few times per week.
Still not convinced?
Just have a look at the reviews here, thousands of people cannot be wrong.
Natural Teeth Whitening is Not a Miracle Cure
If you start to cut down on the substances which can stain your teeth and also introduce these all natural and homemade teeth whitening methods into your daily routine, you will start to see an improvement.
But don’t expect miracles. Nothing other than expensive dental work is going to give you completely white beaming teeth and a glorious smile.
It will be a progressive path you follow. Unlike teeth whitening kits that you can buy, you won’t see an instant change. However by introducing new routines you will create whiter teeth for the long term, rather than throwing money at a brief fix.