Home remedies for teeth whitening are popular as, unlike dental procedures, they pose little to no risk of weakening or damaging your natural teeth. Additionally, they are inexpensive and do not require insurance or burning a hole in your pocket to be effective. You can use ingredients that are probably already in your kitchen or cupboard. As Charlie Chaplin said, “You will find that life is still worthwhile if you just smile.” So, let’s check out some of the most effective home remedies for teeth whitening in this article. Keep reading and you may find something that’ll help you get back your pretty pearls back.
How To Get White Teeth Naturally Overnight
Top Teeth Whitening Methods You Can Try
1. Apple Cider Vinegar For White Teeth
1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar A cup of water
Do this 2-3 times in a week in the mornings. Apple cider vinegar contains mild acids that can remove the yellow stains from your teeth and make them whiter with usage (1).
2. Baking Soda And Lime Juice For Teeth Whitening
1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon lime/lemon juice Toothbrush
Repeat this twice a week initially, and then use it once in 7-10 days. Sodium bicarbonate, commonly known as baking soda, is a common ingredient found in nearly every kitchen. It is mildly abrasive in nature and helps eradicate surface stains on the teeth. It is also alkaline in nature and helps reduce acidity inside the mouth (2). Lemon juice is slightly acidic in nature and helps to remove teeth discoloration. It is also a natural antiseptic agent (3). Make sure you do not keep it on the teeth for long.
3. Banana Peel To Whiten Teeth
Banana peel Do this once every day or every alternate day till you get whiter teeth. Banana peel contains minerals like manganese and potassium that help in teeth whitening (4).
4. Coconut Oil To Whiten Teeth
Organic coconut oil Do this every day in the morning. You may find this somewhat odd as coconut oil is mostly known to be beneficial for skin and hair health. The lauric acid present in coconut oil eliminates the plaque-causing bacteria in the teeth (5). It also helps in keeping your breath fresh.
5. Orange Oil For Teeth Whitening
2-3 drops orange essential oil Toothpaste Toothbrush
Repeat this every morning for a week or so. Orange essential oil is prepared from the rind of the fruit. The citrus content aids in teeth whitening, while the essential oil has antifungal properties and promotes gum health (6, 7).
6. Sesame Oil For Teeth Whitening
1 tablespoon sesame oil Do this once in the morning. Swishing with sesame oil has been shown to remove not just teeth stains but also dental plaque (8).
7. Charcoal To Whiten Teeth
Powdered activated charcoal Toothbrush
Use this remedy once or twice a week. Activated charcoal absorbs impurities and whitens teeth effectively and quickly. It is also useful to prevent cavities and maintain teeth and gum health (9).
8. Gargling With Peroxide To Whiten Teeth
1 cup 2-3.5% hydrogen peroxide 1 cup distilled water
Repeat this twice a week. As it is a bleaching agent, hydrogen peroxide is an excellent remedy to whiten teeth at home (10). Dentists use higher concentrations of this in commercial teeth whitening treatments. Do not ingest the solution. Also, do not use it on a daily basis.
9. Salt And Lemon For Teeth Whitening
1 teaspoon sea salt 2 teaspoons lemon juice
Do this twice a week. The natural bleaching quality of lemon juice removes yellow stains from the teeth, and the salt acts as a gentle exfoliant (11). It scrubs away the stains that have built up on the teeth.
10. Turmeric For Teeth Whitening
1/8 teaspoon turmeric powder Toothbrush
The one-time use of this remedy will give you instant results. Repeat after a few days if required. Do not let the coloring turmeric gives food (and your clothes after an unfortunate spill) scare you from using this remedy. The mild abrasive property of this herb helps remove deep stains from the teeth. It also makes your teeth and gums stronger and free of unhealthy microbes (12).
11. Epsom Salt For Teeth Whitening
1 part Epsom salt 1 part water Toothbrush
Repeat this 2-3 times a week. This salt exfoliates the yellow layer of staining that has formed on the teeth. It is also antibacterial in nature (13).
12. Guava Leaves For Teeth Whitening
1-2 guava leaves Repeat this every alternate day for a few days. Guava leaves can be used to treat a variety of dental issues such as plaque, infections, and gum swelling. Its flavonoids and phenols remove the oxidative stress caused on the teeth by different microorganisms, which is one of the reasons for the teeth staining (14).
13. Neem For Teeth Whitening
4-5 neem leaves 1 ½ cups water
Repeat this every day or every alternate day. Neem is a natural astringent and also a soothing agent. Its regular usage will ensure that your teeth and gums are healthy and without any stains (15).
14. Orange Peel For Teeth Whitening
Orange peel Do this every alternate day for a week or two to see results. The acidic content of orange peels whitens teeth and also acts as an antimicrobial agent.
15. Strawberries For Teeth Whitening
1 strawberry 1 teaspoon baking soda
This can be done once a week. The acids, namely malic acid and ascorbic acid, present in strawberries lighten the teeth stains. With a few uses, you will see that your teeth have become whiter and brighter (16). So, these were the home remedies for teeth whitening. Most of them might need a few repetitions to show effective results. Do not use more than the recommended amount of the ingredients as the natural acids present in them will damage the tooth enamel on excessive usage. Let us now look at some other diet and nutrition recommendations that can help in teeth whitening.
What Are The Best Foods That Whiten Teeth?
Eating citrus fruits like oranges can be advantageous for your health as they are packed with nutrients and antioxidants (17). Their vitamin C content makes them suitable for nearly everyone. However, these fruits contain acids, which can erode the teeth enamel and cause deeply etched teeth stains. This does not mean you should stop eating lemons and oranges. Make sure you rinse your mouth thoroughly with water after eating such fruits every time to ensure the acids do not affect your teeth.
It would be a good idea to include plenty of crunchy vegetables and fruits in your diet. Examples include apple, celery, and carrots. Their abrasive texture will rub the teeth and peel off the yellow coating gradually.
Taking milk-based products can help balance the pH levels in the mouth. This aids in not providing the right breeding environment for microorganisms. By doing this, the microbes will not be able to secrete harmful chemicals that cause teeth staining.
Some foods and drinks need to be kept to a minimum to keep your pearlies white. They are:
A few foods with dark pigmentation can lead to teeth staining. It is better if you reduce their consumption. Examples are blueberries, soy sauce, and marinara sauce.
A refreshing morning tea or a cup of hot coffee after work is what most people cherish. However, these beverages and energy drinks lead to teeth staining, and, at times, can even lead to enamel erosion. It may not be possible to avoid such drinks and beverages at all times. However, try not to swish them in your mouth while sipping.
Use a straw to drink energy drinks and soda so that there is minimum direct contact of these with your teeth.
You must have heard this already. Quitting smoking not only offers you teeth whitening benefits, but it also helps your lungs and heart. Give up smoking in every form to improve the appearance of your teeth.
Is It Bad To Get Your Teeth Whitened?
When done the right way, teeth whitening is not bad for your health. The bleaching agents are solely used on your teeth, and the process is carefully administered by a dentist. However, there is some debate regarding the effects of this procedure on the tooth enamel after a number of sittings. Also, teeth whitening treatment is not a recommended procedure for pregnant women and nursing mothers. What is the safest way to whiten teeth? Custom-fitted teeth whitening trays are safe and effective for teeth whitening. Baking soda is also considered a safe and natural option for whitening teeth. Why are my teeth yellow when I brush them everyday? Smoking or drinking coffee, tea or wine can cause yellow stains on teeth despite regular brushing habits. Does brushing your teeth 3 times a day make them whiter? No, regular brushing is not effective against stains. It is effective against oral pathogens and cavity formation. How do celebrities have such white teeth? Celebrities may frequently visit dentists, use veneers or regular teeth whitening procedures to get white teeth. Do electric toothbrushes make teeth whiter? Electric toothbrushes can remove yellow stains from teeth and make them appear whiter but they cannot make teeth whiter than their natural color.