5 Ways to Whiten Your Teeth Naturally

If you’re like me, you’re an avid coffee drinker. Even though that glorious beverage soothes the soul and helps awaken us, it also stains our teeth.

Though yellow teeth can actually be caused by genetics, there are other things that cause it: coffee drinking and smoking are some of the more popular reasons.

Having a whiter smile means you’re oral hygiene, and health, could lead to less bacteria surviving and will help with teeth loss. Not only that, but there are psychological benefits as well, such as having higher confidence.

Having a whiter smile is something a lot of people these days hope to achieve, but sometimes don’t have the money to drop on going to a professional or purchasing whitening products. According to a study, most Americans actually spend $1.4 billion dollars a year on over-the-counter whitening products!

Having a bright and white smile may play into our confidence and health, but don’t think you have to spend hundreds of dollars each month to achieve that. There are many amazing remedies that can actually be done at home! 

Here are 5 ways to Naturally whiten your teeth:  

1. Baking Soda 

The first thing my mother ever told me about getting a whiter smile was using baking soda to brush my teeth. You can either use it alone after brushing your teeth, or you can make your own paste. Since baking soda is a tad grittier, it helps with removing any service stains from our teeth – just try not to overuse it since it can also remove healthy enamel from teeth.

If you’ve got it laying around the house, poor some into a small container to keep next to your sink. Then after you’ve finished using your regular toothpaste, dip your toothbrush into the baking soda and scrub again, then rinse as usual. To create a paste, you can either mix the baking soda with Hydrogen Peroxide or lemon juice – the acidity of both will help kill bacteria and will help protect your teeth and gums. 

2. Apple Cider Vinegar 

If the idea of rubbing Hydrogen Peroxide all over the inside of your mouth is creepy, don’t worry, there’s another option! Rinsing several times a week with apple cider vinegar is a great organic alternative.

A New York based dentist, Dr. Debra Glassman, suggests mixing it with water and swishing it in your mouth for roughly a minute.

3. Coconut Oil

Even though this option sounds strange, it’s a popular one that’s been around for long time. Studies that have been done have shown that rinsing with coconut oil may help prevent gingivitis, plaque and even bad breath!

To try this out, simply take a teaspoon of coconut oil and swish it around in your mouth for roughly 5-20 minutes, and then spit it out. Do this in the morning before you brush your teeth!

4. Activated Charcoal

Now I know this one sounds a little strange, but trust me it also is effective. Go to any nutritional store and see if they have a bottle of activated charcoal.

Charcoal is adsorptive, so it’ll manage to attract and bind itself to anything that may be staining your teeth. It won’t remove any tooth enamel, but any stain that is hiding your teeth’s natural color. Once you’ve got the charcoal, mix it with water and gently apply the mixture with a toothbrush and let it sit on your gums and teeth for two minutes and then rinse it off thoroughly.

5. Strawberries

There are many foods that actually can help with teeth whitening. Strawberries being the most popular – which is due to their natural acids that remove stains from our teeth.

Another reason they’re a popular choice is because the Vitamin C found in them helps with the removal of plague. Another food to consider is apples, they also contain a natural malic acid thus will also help remove any stains.

By: Bethany Barich (Follow on Instagram & Twitter)