Nowadays, everyone wants sparkling, white teeth. Not only do a white set of teeth immediately enhance your appearance, but they can actually influence how others interact with you. Studies show that people with whiter teeth are also perceived to be more sociable, friendly, and intelligent.
While it is typically considered safe to get your teeth whitened, many people don't have the money to spend on professional solutions, like gels or laser whitening.
The great news is that there are numerous natural methods that can help to effectively whiten your teeth, all of which are much more affordable than expensive professional whitening and can be done from the comfort of your own home.
How to Whiten Your Teeth at Home
To whiten your teeth at home, you can:
1. Brush With Baking Soda & Hydrogen Peroxide
Baking soda is a natural abrasive with teeth whitening properties that can help remove surface stains on teeth. Simply mix a small amount of baking soda with water to make a paste, then brush your teeth with it a few times a week.
You can also add hydrogen peroxide - a bleaching agent which helps to kill bacteria - into the mix to form an even stronger teeth whitening solution. Be careful not to use too much as this can damage your teeth. Take one tablespoon of baking soda and two tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide. Mix both the contents, and you’ll end up with a paste. Use this paste to brush your teeth regularly.
Baking soda is often used in teeth whitening because of its mild abrasive properties, which can help remove surface stains on teeth.
2. Oil Pulling
Another at-home natural remedy that can be used to whiten teeth is oil pulling - the process of swishing oil (such as coconut oil) around in your mouth for several minutes. The oil is believed to help remove many types of bacteria from the mouth and lift surface stains off the teeth.
To perform oil pulling, take one tablespoon of coconut oil, for example, and swish it around in your mouth. Continue this process for 15 minutes.
4 Important Oil Pulling Tips
Performing oil pulling is fairly simple, but here are just a few tips to ensure it is as effective as possible:
- Use high-quality organic oil - Coconut oil is a popular option as it has a pleasant taste and antimicrobial properties. Other quality oils include sesame or sunflower oil.
- Only use a small amount to begin with - It's best to use a small amount of oil, especially if you're new to oil pulling. As you become more comfortable with the process, you can up the amount.
- Swish in a gentle motion - You don't have to be aggressive with it, a simple gentle swish will do the job, ensuring you're pulling it through your teeth and around your gums.
- Rinse with water - Once you've spat out the oil, it's best to rinse your mouth with water to remove any remaining oil. However, don't rinse straight away, wait 5 or 10 minutes. Rinsing immediately might hinder the benefits of the oil.
3. Use Whitening Toothpaste
Of course, maintaining a good dental routine is imperative for clean teeth, but opting for whitening toothpaste, such as charcoal toothpaste, can help you go that extra mile and visibly help remove surface stains on your teeth. These toothpastes typically contain mild abrasives that help scrub away stains, as well as special ingredients that can help whiten teeth.
Charcoal Toothpaste Tablets
Our new range of fluoride charcoal toothpaste tablet products, are providing an eco-friendly alternative to conventional toothpaste products. These fluoride toothpaste tablets are family-friendly, sustainable, and contain ingredients to aid with enhanced stain removal and teeth whitening.
Available in various quantities, including a three month bundle, which contains one bamboo toothbrush and approximately 77g of charcoal fluoride toothpaste tablets.
Learn more about charcoal toothpaste and its benefits, here.
4. Eat Crunchy Fruit and Vegetables
Did you know that crunchy fruits and vegetables such as apples, carrots, and celery can help to rub off plaque from your teeth while you chew? Of course, they are not a replacement for brushing, but they have been found to scrub away surface stains as a result of this. Additionally, the high water content in these foods can help stimulate saliva production, which can naturally cleanse the teeth.
What’s more, fruit and vegetables are known to be very useful for your overall health, that’s a win-win for you.
5. Maintain Good Oral Hygiene
The most straightforward way to keep your teeth naturally white and free from stains and decay is by maintaining good oral hygiene.
By this we mean, regular brushing (twice a day), flossing, using mouthwash and visiting the dentist for regular check ups and professional cleaning.
Many people think visiting the dentist is purely to examine for gum disease and fillings, and while this is true, professional cleanings by dental hygienists help keep your teeth and gums healthy and can prevent problems like cavities and gum disease from happening in the first place.
Brush Fresh is founded and run by a group of UK-based dentists, who specialise in environmentally-friendly and sustainable dental products. From biodegradable bamboo toothbrushes to zero waste toothbrush tablets, our product range has been designed to put both your dental health and the environment first. For more information and dental care advice, head over to our blog page or get in contact with us here