To figure out how to whiten our teeth, we have to know why they get yellow in the first place. Genetics, what kind of food and drink you consume, and how well you practice oral hygiene – these are all factors that determine the color of your teeth. A tooth is made of 4 tissues. The first is enamel, which is the strong white covering that protects the tooth. Dentin – the second one, supports the enamel and is a hard yellow material that carries nerves. Pulp is at the center of the tooth and contains blood and lymph vessels, and the last one – cementum, is the part of the tooth which covers the root of the tooth.
The two parts that play the biggest role in color of the tooth are enamel and dentin. Some drinks and food will directly stain the enamel. The nasty foods and drinks break down and weaken the enamel as we age. As the enamel breaks down, it reveals the yellow dentin underneath. The following remedies are focused on whitening teeth that have already lost some white enamel, but you should also know that doing things to strengthen enamel is just as important so you can keep it from breaking down further.
How To Naturally Whiten Your Teeth at Home
1. Baking Soda and Lemon Juice Paste
Baking Soda – I bet you expected this. Sodium bicarbonate is slightly abrasive and it gently scrubs the surface stains and gives the teeth a whiter shade. Another thing about baking soda is that is alkaline, so if you have acidic mouth or eat a lot of acidic food, it could help balance out the Ph in your mouth. This is very useful because acid breaks down enamel. It will reduce the acidity of the lemon juice, which also acts as natural bleach. Because of this, it’s wise to use a mixture of baking soda and water for whitening the teeth on some days, and lemon juice on others.
You will need:
-Several teaspoons of baking soda
-Enough lemon juice or water to form a paste
-A toothbrush
Instructions:
Mix the baking soda with the lemon juice (or water) and make a paste. Use a paper towel to wipe your teeth and any extra saliva off of them. Put the paste on your toothbrush and apply it on the teeth.
Leave the paste to act for 1 minute and rinse to avoid the acid effecting enamel. In case you use water instead of lemon you can leave it to act for up to 3 minutes.
2. Strawberry, Salt and Baking Soda Scrub
Strawberries are rich in Vitamin C. vitamin C is an ingredient which breaks-down plaque, which causes your teeth to look yellow. Strawberries also have an enzyme called malic acid, which removes surface stains. The salt is the abrasive part of the paste, so it physically scrubs away stain-causing gunk, and the baking soda is an extra touch that you can chose wetter you want to use.
You will need:
-1-3 large strawberries
-A pinch of seat salt
-1/2 teaspoon of baking soda (optional)
Instructions:
Mash the berries into a pulp. Add the sea salt and if you decide to use it, ½ teaspoon of baking soda. Same as the previous treatment, wipe any extra saliva off your teeth with a paper towel. Next step is to apply a generous portion of the mixture on your toothbrush and apply it. Let the mixture to act for 5 minutes and then rinse. Do this before going to bed.
3. Coconut Oil Rinse
Even though, it doesn’t sound like the most pleasant thing in the world, coconut oil does make a difference in the color of the teeth. Don’t expect the coconut oil to make a difference same as “bleaching”, but lauric acid in coconut oil removes the bacteria found in plaque that makes the teeth yellow. It also promotes gum health, and keeps your breath fresh.
You will need:
-About a tablespoon of coconut oil
Instructions:
Before you brush your teeth, take about a tablespoon of coconut oil, soften it or just put it in your mouth. Swish the oil through and around your teeth for 10-15 minutes, spit it out and then rinse your mouth with water. When you finish just brush your teeth.
Don’t expect these remedies to make your teeth ridiculously white within a week. You will start to see a difference, but it won’t be as instant as if you use commercial products. You’ll see that by using these your teeth will be indeed whiter and your mouth will feel healthier. By using these natural teeth whiteners, you can save money for something else, feel better about yourself, and have a healthier mouth.
Teeth Whitening Tips:
– Set up a routine for using these remedies and stick to it to get the most out of them, no matter what.
– Even though it is not “natural” per say, the 3% hydrogen peroxide when used as a mouth rinse can whiten your teeth through the process of oxidation.
– In today’s world this is very difficult, but try to avoid dark drinks, such as coke and coffee, because they stain your teeth.
