The discoloration of the teeth is part of their aging process, and just like the wrinkles, they need to be treated and taken care of for long-lasting effects. While it is a certainty that the teeth must one time wear out a little over time, there are a number of things you can always do to avoid the discoloration and the embarrassing stains.
Most importantly, there are natural teeth whitening methods that anyone can adopt at home and they do not cost a fortune like the desistsโ visits, bleaching sprays or other chemical solutions.
Here are 7 ways to naturally whiten your teeth. All of these options are cost-effective and safe if used in moderation:
Coconut Oil Rinse
Coconuts are a popular food right now, with coconut water gracing shelves where acai berry drinks and pomegranate juice once lay. Coconut oil, however, is not a fad when it comes to tooth care. You can use coconut oil as a teeth whitener. Put a spoonful of the oil in your mouth and swish it around like mouthwash for fifteen minutes. Or you could rub it on the toothbrush and simply brush it on.
Be careful to use real coconut oil and not coconut flakes or another sweet concoction. Leaving coconut sugars on your teeth will accelerate tooth decay, not alleviate it.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide naturally lightens hair color and clothes because it is a form of bleach. You can use hydrogen peroxide as a mouthwash to bleach your teeth if it is mixed half and a half with water. However, unlike baking soda, it is dangerous to swallow hydrogen peroxide.
You can mix hydrogen peroxide with baking soda for a compounding effect.
Baking Powder and Lemon
While baking soda is usually used to deodorize our refrigerators, it is also a versatile cleaner. Not only can you turn it into a paste to remove those stubborn stains in the shower, but you can also use it to thoroughly scrub those stubborn plaque stains off your teeth. Unlike whitening strips, baking soda does not contain toxic chemicals, nor will it simply bleach the yellow away without removing the bacterial layer that rendered them yellow in the first place.
And unlike tooth whitening toothpaste, baking soda is safe to swallow albeit not nearly as delicious as the fluffy white bread it can be used to make. You can even use baking soda paste as a replacement for a toothpaste for yourself and your children. Be careful to get the paste to an almost runny consistency, since a grittier paste can literally rub away the enamel from your teeth. If you overdo it with baking soda or any other scrubber, your teeth will become permanently darker unless and until cavities from in the worn away crevasses.
The American Dentistry Association has put its seal of approval on several teeth whitening toothpaste that already contain baking soda.
Dr. Oz, specifically endorses this method since it has worked with several people without any side effects. Baking soda and lemon reaction give a brightening effect to your teeth. The two ingredients can work effectively separately, but they give the best effects when used together on the teeth.
Do not however use this method frequently; brush the teeth using the mixture only once every week. Frequent use may lead to the wear of your tooth enamel. Discontinue use if you experience irritation of the gums, and this may be due to your gums being too abrasive.
Alter Your Diet
When they say an apple a day keeps the doctor away, they forgot to mention that it helps eliminate tooth whitening visits to the dentist, too. One simple way to whiten your teeth is to eat crunchy foods like apples, carrots, and pears. This removes the sticky residue left by candy, soft-baked goods, and other sugars. Apples, in particular, are good because they also contain malic acid, a compound in teeth whitening products. Other crunchy foods improve your teeth by scraping away plaque and increasing saliva production.
Strawberries reportedly whiten your teeth, despite their red color. Chocolate purportedly has antibacterial effects, so chocolate-dipped strawberries theoretically will help clean your teeth. This isnโt as well studied as the scrubbing effect of eating crunchy foods, so take it with a grain of salt. And indulging in too many chocolates dipped fruit will hurt both your diet and your teeth in the long run if you donโt quickly brush away the sugary residue.
For those who want to lift coffee stains and cola stains from your teeth, drink less of these drinks to lessen their effect on your teeth. If you like tea, try green tea instead. When you do drink these drinks, brush your teeth immediately afterward or at least have a drink of water to lessen how much gunk sticks to your teeth.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar or ACV is not only a natural compound for cleaning your house โ it can be used to clean your teeth as well. It is especially effective at lifting nicotine and coffee stains.
Vinegar mixed with lemon has been promoted as a teeth whitening solution. This isnโt recommended due to the risk of damaging your tooth enamel. Just rubbing lemon rinds on your teeth isnโt scientifically proven to improve your teeth, though it may improve your bad breath. Nor do you want to try to rinse your teeth with lemon juice, since the acid will eventually eat into the enamel.
When you use vinegar to rinse or brush your teeth, you need to brush it away. Otherwise, the acid in the vinegar could start eating into the enamel more quickly than the bacteria you wanted to kill. Rinsing your mouth out is a second choice.
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Kaolin Clay
Kaolin clay, the key ingredient in Kaopectate, can be used as a natural tooth whitening agent. You can mix it with clove essential oils or mint to improve the flavor. You can do this up to once a week before posing the risk of damaging your teeth.
Brush More than Once a Day
Plaque is the primary culprit for darkened teeth if you are not a smoker or coffee drinker. Brush after each meal to prevent particles from sticking to your teeth. If that is not an option, drink a glass of water to help wash it all away.
While this solution isnโt as organic as coconut oils or apple cider vinegar, it is tried and true. Donโt forget to floss to get the particles between your teeth.
If you canโt brush, you may want to consider sugar free gum with xylitol. Xylitol is a natural plaque killer. And the act of chewing gum increases saliva production, which in turn better protects your teeth. The American Dental Association has endorsed several brands of sugar-free gum made by companies like Dentyne and Ice Breakers for this purpose.
Bonus: Cheese and Dairy
Cheese and other milk products are a natural source of calcium and phosphorus, a necessity for strong bones. There is some evidence that eating cheese after a meal can reduce tooth decay and promote the re-mineralization of the calcium to rebuild your teeth. Yogurt has the added benefit of containing natural probiotics.
For die-hard coffee fans, add milk or cream to your coffee. And try your tea British style, with a dollop of milk. That alters the drinkโs chemistry so it is less likely to stain your teeth.
Nothing disturbs like yellow teeth, and on the other hand, nothing refreshes like a healthy and bright smile. Eat healthy food, avoid foods that stain your teeth and you will have a long-lasting white and bright teeth.
Knowing and implementing a number of naturally white teeth whitening procedures at home will most likely improve your teeth in a number of ways. You do not have to rob a bank to make your teeth white and maintain them for the longer-term. Adopt these 7 amazing ways to naturally whiten your teeth.