Who doesn’t want a sparkling white-toothed smile? Nobody I know! The unfortunate truth is that most whitening products use chemicals to bleach your teeth, but the good news is, there are a handful of natural, safe, and effective options to get your pearly whites…white.

 

Oil pulling is an ancient remedy meant to improve oral hygiene and remove toxins from the body. The practice involves swishing oil around in your mouth to remove bacteria, which can turn into plaque and cause your teeth to look yellow. Traditionally, sunflower or sesame oil has been used for oil pulling, but any oil will work. Coconut oil is a popular choice because it has a pleasant taste and offers many health benefits.

 

DIY: Put 1 tablespoon of coconut oil in your mouth and swish it through your teeth for 15-20 minutes. Coconut oil is solid at room temperature, so you may need to wait a few seconds for it to melt. Be sure to spit the coconut oil into a toilet or trash can, as it could return to solid form and clog your drain pipes. Unlike many other tooth whitening methods, coconut oil pulling does not expose your teeth to acid or other ingredients that erode the enamel, making it safe to do once daily.

 

Baking soda has natural whitening properties, which is why it’s a popular ingredient in commercial toothpaste. It’s a mild abrasive that can help scrub away surface stains on teeth. This remedy won’t work overnight, but in time, you should notice whiter teeth.

 

DIY: Mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda with 2 teaspoons of water and brush your teeth with the paste. You can do this a few times per week.

 

Hydrogen peroxide is a natural bleaching agent and can kill bacteria in your mouth. You can use it as a mouthwash or mix it with baking soda to form a whitening toothpaste.

 

DIY: Use it as a mouthwash before you brush your teeth. A 1.5% or 3% solution will do. Another option is to mix it with baking soda to make a toothpaste. Combine 2 teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide with 1 teaspoon of baking soda and gently brush your teeth with the mixture.

 

Limit staining foods and beverages, as a preventative measure. Coffee, red wine, soda, and dark berries are infamous for staining teeth. That doesn’t mean you have to completely avoid them, but you should limit the amount of time they are in contact with your teeth. If possible, drink beverages known to stain teeth out of a straw to prevent direct contact with your teeth.

 

Brushing with activated charcoal products pulls toxins from your mouth and removes teeth stains. This is one of our favorite activated charcoal toothpastes. P.S. Don’t be afraid of the black color you’ll see in your mouth – it washes away easily!

 

While we’re on the topic of toothpaste, this is my current favorite because of its natural ingredients and refreshing flavor. I plan to try the Calming Vanilla Lavender Mint flavor next.

 

How will you naturally whiten your teeth at home? Let us know in the comments!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *