If you have been shying away from taking a photograph with your friends, you don’t have to worry about that any longer. In this article, we discuss seven natural remedies that can give you pearly white and shining teeth. Read on to learn more!
What Causes Teeth To Look Yellow?
Your teeth can lose their natural color and look yellowish as you age. The main factors that contribute to yellowing teeth include:
Certain foods like apples and potatoes Tobacco use Poor dental hygiene, including inadequate brushing, flossing, or using a mouthwash Drinking caffeinated drinks Medical therapies like head and neck radiation and chemotherapy Medications like tetracycline and doxycycline can also discolor teeth when given to children whose teeth are still developing, Some materials used in dentistry like amalgam restorations Genetics – Some individuals are naturally blessed with whiter teeth than the others. Environmental factors like the presence of excessive fluoride levels in water Physical trauma like a fall can disturb the formation of enamel in young children, whose teeth are still in the developing stage.
Your teeth could have turned yellow due to various factors. However, you can try and restore the whiteness of your teeth using some simple yet effective home remedies.
7 Easy Ways To Naturally Whiten Teeth
1. Coconut Oil Pulling
Oil pulling with coconut oil offers multiple benefits for oral health. It can help reduce plaque formation and plaque-induced gingivitis (1). Hence, it may also help assist in whitening your teeth. 1 tablespoon of virgin coconut oil You may do this once daily, preferably in the morning, before brushing your teeth.
2. Brushing With Baking Soda
Tooth brushing with a baking soda-based dentifrice was observed to help with stain removal and teeth whitening in a study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association (2).
1 teaspoon of baking soda Water (as required) A toothbrush
You may do this 1-2 times daily.
3. Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal is negatively charged. It binds to the positively charged plaque on the tooth surface and is absorbed by it, thereby whitening your teeth (3).
A toothbrush Powdered activated charcoal Water (as required)
You may do this once daily for best results.
4. Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide can help improve the shade of your teeth (4). It is a great home remedy for those who are on a limited budget and want to whiten their teeth.
½ cup of 3-5% hydrogen peroxide ½ cup of water
You may do this once daily. Caution: High concentrations of hydrogen peroxide solution can damage your teeth. Hence, it is best to seek your doctor’s consent before following this remedy.
5. Lemon Or Orange Peels
The peels of oranges and lemons contain citric acid, which may help in removing the stains on your enamel and bleaching your teeth. They are also antibacterial and can thus help fight oral microbes (3). Orange or lemon peel You may do this once daily.
6. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar exhibits bleaching properties that can help in whitening your teeth and removing stains (5).
1-2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar 1 cup of water
You may do this once daily, before or after brushing your teeth.
7. Fruits And Vegetables
Fruits like strawberries, papaya, pineapple, oranges, and kiwis and vegetables like celery and carrots have teeth whitening properties. They can help in the removal of stains from your enamel and are also comparatively safe. You can either eat more of these fruits and veggies or leave them on your teeth for a few seconds to see the desired effects (3). If you are looking for any over-the-counter teeth whitening products in addition to these remedies, here are a few that may help.
Over-The-Counter Teeth Whitening Products
Whitening Toothpaste – There are several teeth whitening toothpastes available that can help in lightening your teeth by 1 or 2 shades. Tray-Based Teeth Whiteners – They contain a bleaching gel. All you have to do is wear a fitted tray over your teeth for 2-4 hours a day or as mentioned in the directions. Whitening Strips And Mouth Rinses – They can also help in improving the color of your teeth by 1-2 shades.
While these over-the-counter products can undoubtedly help in whitening your teeth, you have to be cautious about the ingredient list as high concentrations of certain compounds can damage your enamel. If you can tweak your lifestyle choices a bit, you may also be able to prevent yellowing of teeth for a long time. Listed below are some tips to follow to prevent your teeth from turning yellowish.
Prevention Tips
Brush and floss twice daily or after every meal if possible. Do not overeat sugary or high-carb foods. In case you do eat them, brush your teeth immediately. Avoid foods/drinks that can stain your teeth like coffee, red wine, blueberries, and beetroot. Quit smoking and/or chewing tobacco. Get your teeth cleaned by a dentist every 6 months.
Can natural teeth whitening harm your teeth? Coconut oil pulling, brushing with baking soda, activated charcoal, hydrogen peroxide, lemon and orange peels, apple cider vinegar, papaya, pineapple, celery, and carrots may help remove the stain and restore the whiteness of your teeth. Consult your dentist if these remedies do not work. Natural teeth whitening is comparatively safer and less harmful than chemical treatments that use high concentrations of certain ingredients, which can damage your teeth. How long does it take to whiten teeth at home? It can take anywhere between a week to a month to notice any improvement in the shade of your teeth if you are trying to whiten them at home. Is bleaching your teeth bad? Bleaching or whitening can prove to be damaging to your teeth if you do not follow the instructions carefully. Using teeth whiteners with high concentrations of ingredients like hydrogen peroxide or leaving such products on your teeth for longer than the recommended duration will damage the enamel. Does whitening your teeth damage them? If you leave a whitening product on your teeth for too long or use products with high concentrations of certain ingredients, you will end up damaging the enamel of your teeth. Does whitening toothpaste damage enamel? Teeth whitening toothpaste is generally safe to be used. But as it contains special chemicals and polishing agents, it can damage your enamel in the long run if you use it in excess or multiple times daily. Is laser whitening safe? Laser whitening is usually safe, gentle, and done under expert supervision. Although expensive, it is one of the best options for whitening your teeth with no side effects. What kinds of toothpaste is bad for your teeth? It is best to avoid certain kinds of toothpaste as they may contain ingredients that are harmful to your health. Harmful ingredients that should be avoided if present in any toothpaste include saccharin, chlorine dioxide, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium hydroxide, polypropylene glycol, and alcohol. Can salt whiten teeth? Yes, studies suggest that a toothpaste made of lemon extract and salt may help in removing debris and stains present on the teeth (7). However, further studies are warranted. Can banana peels whiten teeth? Yes, banana peels contain potassium, magnesium and manganese that help in removing stains and whitening your teeth (8). Does milk whiten teeth? Yes, studies indicate that the casein protein present in milk may help prevent demineralization of teeth’s enamel. Thus, it might help combat discoloration of teeth after drinking wine or coffee (9). However, further studies are warranted to support this claim
