7 Simple Home Remedies To Whiten Your Teeth Naturally

Eating highly acidic and sugary foods, drinking alcohol, smoking tobacco, and a host of other factors contribute to your teeth losing their white color. There are many products and dental procedures out there that promise you white teeth but burn holes in your pockets, so opt for ingredients that can naturally whiten your teeth.

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 restorationsⁱ  Dental filling material made of liquid mercury, silver, tin, and copper to fill cavities caused by tooth decay.
• 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 gingivitisⁱ  A dental disease that causes redness, irritation, and inflammation in the part of the gums around the base of the teeth. (1). Hence, it may also help assist in whitening your teeth.

You Will Need

1 tablespoon of virgin coconut oil

What You Have To Do

1. Swish a tablespoon of virgin coconut oil in your mouth
2. for 10-15 minutes.
3. Spit it out and go about with your usual oral regimen of brushing and flossing.

How Often You Should Do This

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). Dentists suggest using baking soda to whiten teeth as it is devoid of any side effects. However, avoid applying the baking soda to your gums to prevent irritation.

You Will Need

• 1 teaspoon of baking soda
• Water (as required)
• A toothbrush

What You Have To Do

1. Mix a teaspoon of baking soda with a few drops of water to make a thick paste.
2. Take some of this mixture on your toothbrush.
3. Brush your teeth using the mixture for a couple of minutes.
4. Rinse your mouth with water.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this 1-2 times daily to beautify your pearly whites.

Gina, a certified personal trainer, group fitness instructor, and weight loss specialist, used baking soda for teeth whitening and shared her experience on her blog: “While it’s safe to use baking soda to whiten teeth, it can be abrasive when used in large quantities. Baking soda, when overused, can corrode the tooth’s surface enamel. You just want to make sure you don’t use it too frequently, leave it on your teeth for too long, or use it too much. A little goes a long way (i)!”

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).

You Will Need

• A toothbrush
• Powdered activated charcoal
• Water (as required)

What You Have To Do

1. Dip a wet toothbrush in powdered activated charcoal.
2. Brush your teeth with it for 1-2 minutes.
3. Rinse your mouth with water.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this once daily to polish and scrub your teeth for best results.

4. Hydrogen Peroxide

Many people vouch for the use of hydrogen peroxide for teeth whitening. It can help enhance the shade of your teeth with regular use (4). It is a great home remedy for those who are on a limited budget and want to whiten their teeth.

You Will Need

• ½ cup of 3-5% hydrogen peroxide
• ½ cup of water

What You Have To Do

1. Mix half a cup of 3-5% hydrogen peroxide with half a cup of water.
2. Swish the mixture in your mouth for 30-60 seconds.
3. Spit the solution and brush your teeth without using any toothpaste.
4. Rinse your mouth thoroughly with water.

How Often You Should Do This

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 remove the stains on your enamel to bleach and brighten your teeth. They are also antibacterial and can thus help fight oral microbes (3).

You Will Need

Orange or lemon peel

What You Have To Do

1. Scrub your teeth with an orange or lemon peel.
2. Leave it on for 1-2 minutes and brush your teeth.
3. Rinse your mouth thoroughly with plain water.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this once daily to cleanse and purify your entire mouth.

6. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar exhibits bleaching properties that can help whiten your teeth and remove stains (5). This is a great way to get white teeth overnight.

You Will Need

• 1-2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
• 1 cup of water

What You Have To Do

1. Add one to two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to a cup of water.
2. Mix well and use the solution as a mouth rinse.
3. Rinse your mouth using the apple cider vinegar solution for 30-60 seconds.
4. Follow up by rinsing your mouth with plain water.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this once daily to cleanse your teeth, 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).

While teeth whitening at home is quite easy, if you are looking for 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.

Quick Tip

Invest in herbal whitening toothpastes as conventional formulations contain abrasivesⁱ  Compounds used in toothpastes to remove external stains and soft deposits from teeth for a clean and polished look. and bleaching agents like silica, pyrophosphates, or carbamide peroxide. These chemical ingredients may cause undesirable effects on the enamel and the soft tissues surrounding the teeth (3).

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.

Did You Know?

According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, Americans spent approximately $1.4 billion on teeth whitening products in the year 2016 (6).

Infographic: 5 Ways To Whiten Your Teeth

If you have yellow teeth and are looking for a remedy at home, we have you covered. We have highlighted the 5 best solutions to attain pearly whites. Go through the infographic below for some easy-to-follow steps that will help you whiten your teeth using ingredients you can find at home.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I safely combine natural teeth whitening methods with over-the-counter products?

You can safely combine natural and commercial whitening methods by spreading them throughout the week. For example, try using baking soda twice a week; on other days, you can apply whitening strips as directed. Avoid using both methods on the same day, as this can stress your enamel. Follow the instructions on any product, and it is a good idea to consult your dentist for guidance to prevent any long-term damage.

Can natural teeth whitening harm your teeth?

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

Illustration: Simple Home Remedies To Whiten Your Teeth Naturally

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Learn 10 natural ways to whiten your teeth at home with the help of the video below. Click on it now and achieve brighter, whiter teeth without harsh chemicals or expensive treatments.

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Dr. Thomas ConnellyDDS

 

Practicing in Beverly Hills and Manhattan, with experience that spans more than 21 years and several Northeastern states, Dr. Thomas Connelly delivers world class dental aesthetics to patients from all walks of life. He is accredited by the American Society of Dental Aesthetics - the most prestigious and selective credentialing organization in the world for Aesthetic Dentistry - and is also a Fellow in the International Academy for Dental Facial Esthetics.

Read full bio of Dr. Thomas Connelly

Shaheen NaserHealth & Wellness Writer

 

Shaheen holds a postgraduate degree in Human Genetics and Molecular Biology from Bharathiar University. She is a Geneticist with proficiency in Biotechnology, Immunology, Medical Genetics, Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Genetic Counseling.

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Ramona SinhaEditor

Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal.

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Monomita ChakrabortyBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Monomita has a graduate degree in mass communication and video production from St. Anthony's College, Shillong, and a master’s degree in journalism and mass communication from the Royal Global University, Guwahati. She is also a certified skincare coach with a keen interest in skin, hair, tattoos, nail art, and lifestyle trends.

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