The following article was written by Melissa Beckman. Melissa is a freelance writer specializing in topics of oral health and dental procedures, such as TMJ treatments.
Everyone wants brighter, whiter teeth, but finding ways to whiten your smile without using harsh chemicals or expensive store-bought kits can be a challenge. Luckily, there are several natural ways to whiten teeth both safely and effectively – and all you need are a few extra minutes and everyday items that can be found at virtually any grocery store. Here are some of the best natural teeth whitening methods:
Baking Soda
This is perhaps the most popular tooth whitening methods that doesn’t involve a trip to the dentist or the purchase of costly over-the-counter strips or trays. All you have to do is brush a bit of baking soda onto your teeth as you would regular toothpaste and rinse. The baking soda will help slough away surface stains from coffee, tea, red wine and other common culprits without stripping away tooth enamel.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Another time-tested classic, a quick peroxide rinse once a day can do wonders for both stained teeth and overall oral health. Simply mix a little peroxide with equal parts water and swish around in your mouth for several seconds before rinsing. This will help whisk stains away, as well as cleansing the mouth of potentially harmful bacteria that can build up on teeth and gums.
Baking Soda and Peroxide
wo is better than one! Sprinkle a little baking soda into your peroxide solution to create a paste, and brush teeth with it. This mixture will be even more effective than either ingredient on its own, but because of its increased stain-fighting power, it should only be used every other day in order to prevent enamel erosion.
Baking Soda and Lemon Juice
Another effective combo brings together the cleansing properties of baking soda with the acidity of lemons. Limit use to once a week or the lemon juice could have a detrimental effect on the teeth.
Baking soda and Strawberries
It may seem strange to use bright red strawberries as a teeth whitening aid, but they are actually capable of doing a double whammy on stubborn stains: Malic acid in the berries acts as an astringent to power away surface discolorations while the texture of the berries themselves helps to buff away stains. All you have to do is combine one crushed ripe strawberry with a half teaspoon of baking soda, apply to teeth and leave for five minutes. After five minutes, brush your teeth as usual and rinse thoroughly to remove seeds and pulp. As with the lemon mixture, limit your use of this natural whitener to once a week in order to protect tooth enamel.
Apples
While they may or may not keep the doctor away, apples can definitely help fight staining and tooth decay! Like strawberries, these fruits boast both a cleansing texture and natural astringents, making them an excellent choice for a post-meal snack when a toothbrush isn’t readily available.
As you can see, you don’t have to sacrifice beautiful teeth just because you’re committed to living naturally. Next time you want a whiter smile, why not turn to nature’s bounty instead of heading to the dentist or the drugstore?
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