Looking for ways to naturally whiten your teeth? I was too! I turned to my cupboards and realized I already have everything that is needed for some DIY teeth whitening. And you probably do too!
I have been surviving on coffee and giggles with a splash of cuddles in between.
As late nights turn into early mornings with little to no sleep, only to wake up to a full day of work and baby care, I have come to rely on enjoying a cup or two of coffee to get throughout my days.
I love a nice, hot cup of coffee. The ritual of coffee in the morning is so calming to me. The smell of a fresh pot brewing. The gurgling soundtrack of the machine working. The settling of the warm cup in between my palms. I can go on and on about the beauty of it.
But let’s get real, my teeth started taking a toll and it wasn’t pretty.
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What makes your teeth stain?
Our teeth are made up of various layers, the outer being enamel. Enamel is porous and contains microscopic holes that allow for food and drink particles to seep in and over time stain the enamel.
Coffee or black teas, like wine, contain tannins. Tannins break down in the water. When broken down, the color compounds stick to our teeth and get into the porous enamel and stain our teeth.
The more acidic the drink, such as coffee, the more the enamel breaks down allowing for more stain to occur.
How do You Naturally Whiten Your Teeth?
Many people who experience stained teeth just might not realize how easy it can be to correct course right from their own home.
There are so many teeth whitening products out on the market. From whitening toothpaste to strip trays to charcoal mouth wash, it can be hard deciding on (and expensive) which one is best. Such decisions can be a nonstarter when you realize that many of the whitening products you find over the counter contain harsh chemicals.
To take the matter into your own hands, look in your cupboards, you probably have everything you need to naturally whiten your teeth.
Here are 6 Simple Ways You Can Naturally Whiten Your Teeth
1| Oil Pulling
Oil pulling is an ancient practice where you swish oil in your mouth for a certain period of time. The oil pulls out toxins and bacteria in your mouth improving oral health. Along with a number of benefits, oil pulling is known to whiten teeth and remove bacteria.
Oil pull first thing in the morning before brushing your teeth, drinking water, or eating anything. You want the oil to pull all of the toxins from your mouth that have built up overnight. Any oil can be used. Extra-Virgin Coconut Oil is popular because of the taste.
- Swish 1 to 2 teaspoons of liquid coconut oil in your mouth for 10 to 30 minutes. Be sure not to swallow the oil as it contains toxins and bacteria from your mouth.
- Spit it into the toilet or a wastepaper basket (not the sink as the oil could clog drains.)
- Rinse your mouth with warm water.
- Brush your teeth.
- Drink a full glass of water.
Once you are done, you will notice your teeth feel so smooth and clean. Repeat every morning and you will start to notice the whitening results!
Additional benefits of oil pulling include strengthening teeth and gums, prevents cavities, helps alleviates bad breath, helps with acne and other skin ailments.
2| Baking Soda
Have you noticed that baking soda has made its way into many kinds of toothpaste on the market today? That’s because baking soda, as studies have found, is known to not only remove plaque from teeth and kill bacteria but also has natural whitening properties.
- Create a paste mixing 1 teaspoon of baking soda with 2 teaspoons of water.
- Brush teeth with the paste as you normally would toothpaste
- Repeat 2-3 times per week
3| Hydrogen Peroxide
Like baking soda, hydrogen peroxide is another product often found in whitening toothpaste. Hydrogen peroxide, which is a strong bleaching agent, oxidizes pigments on teeth. The oxidation process breaks up the molecules on teeth, removing the stain.
When using hydrogen peroxide as a mouth wash, you must dilute it with equal parts water. The recommended at-home dilution for a hydrogen peroxide mouthwash is half water, half 3% hydrogen peroxide, rinsing for one minute up to four times daily.
Not only will you see whiter teeth, but also a reduction in gingivitis, plaque, bacteria, and bad breath.
- Mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide with water i.e 1/4 a cup of water with 1/4 cup of hydrogen peroxide
- Swish in mouth for up to one minute
4| Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide
Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide together are a powerful agent to not only kill bacteria, reduce plaque and gum inflammation but also whiten teeth.
- Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with 2 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide
- Stir the mixture to make a paste. Make sure not too gritty, if so add more hydrogen peroxide
- Brush with paste
- Thoroughly rinse the mouth with water
- Repeat no more than 2-3 times per week (too often can break down enamel and cause sensitivity.)
5| Fruits and Vegetables
Eating crunchy fibrous fruits and vegetables such as apples, celery and carrots can act as an exfoliant and clean some of the plaque on teeth.
Chewing raw, crunchy fruits and veggies also increase saliva production which naturally cleans our mouths and teeth.
6| Practicing good hygiene
Brush and floss your teeth twice a day and see your dentist twice a year. There are no short cuts on this one.
Practicing good oral hygiene is so important for your overall health.
How Can You Prevent Staining Your Teeth?
Over time coffee, teas, wine, etc., will stain your pearly whites. Here are are some suggestions I came across:
- Drink from a straw. We are used to doing this with iced-coffee, hot coffee not so much. I started using these reusable stainless steel straw or silicone straw which work great!
- Don’t sip your coffee but rather drink it fast. I don’t like this one. I’m guessing the theory is if you gulp rather than sipping it is fewer touchpoints the coffee has with your teeth. But who wants to gulp their coffee?
- Brush your teeth shortly after drinking or eating things that will stain your teeth. However, this may not be a realistic option if you are away from home.
Now Get to It!
Hope you find these suggestions/tips useful. It doesn’t have to be expensive or daunting to naturally whiten your teeth. You can most likely start today with items you already have in your cupboards! Be sure to check in with your dentist if you need more guidance.
Have you tried one of these options to naturally whiten your teeth? Drop a line and share your whispers below. I’d love to know what works for you!