Home Remedies for Teeth Whitening

We all want whiter teeth, but in most cases, going to the dentist to have it done is out of the question.

Procedures like that cost way too much money to even think about. There are a few different natural products you already have at home that you can use to whiten your teeth. Some will work better than others, some may surprise you! Here are some home remedies for teeth whitening.

1. Use Pure Bicarbonate of Soda

I’m always amazed at everything this little white powder can do. Brushing your teeth lightly with bicarb will do a really great job of cleaning away stains from coffee, cigarettes, etc. It’s also a base, which means it will neutralise any acid from your food. Moisten your toothbrush with a little water and dip your brush into the bicarb powder. Apply straight to your teeth and brush very gently.

Where to get it: Bicarb is available in the baking section of your supermarket.

2. Hydrogen Peroxide

This article is about safe ways to whiten your teeth, so I wasn’t sure if I should include hydrogen peroxide. The 3% kind you can get from the chemist is completely safe to use in your mouth, but you should never ever swallow it. And never give it to kids! Hydrogen peroxide is what they use in over-the-counter teeth whitening strips. It bleaches the outside of your teeth to whiten them. If you use this, mix it with water and swish it around inside your mouth for a few minutes. Spit it out (no swallowing!) and then gargle fresh water to make sure it’s all gone.

Where to get it: At the medicine section of your local supermarket, or your local chemist.

3. Strawberries

Strawberries are not only delicious but can actually whiten your teeth as well. These delicious little berries contain small amounts of salicylic acid, and when rubbed across the outside of your teeth will clean away stains and leave your teeth whiter and cleaner. Make sure you rub gently, and don’t brush immediately after doing this, because the acid, slight as it is, will temporarily soften your enamel.

4. Teeth Whitening Kits

Teeth whitening kits are another great way to keep your teeth sparkling white. Look for the various options and choose one that you are comfortable with. Active Smile kits have teeth whitening strips with gels containing hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide that can take out even the most stubborn stains. Brush your teeth with charcoal powder too for toxin-free teeth and gums.     

Now that you know how to whiten your teeth naturally, here are some quick tips to help them stay white:

Don’t Brush Your Teeth Right After a Meal

Most of us grow up thinking that it’s important to brush immediately after each meal, because the bits of food stuck between our teeth will rot and cause tooth decay and bad breath. Now, that second part is true, but you have to be careful about when you brush. The hard white surface on your teeth is called enamel, and it softens when acids from food come into contact with it. Brushing while it’s still soft removes enamel, leaving your teeth a light grey instead. Wait at least an hour after you eat before you brush.

2. Brush Softly

You don’t have to brush like a professional wood cutter to get all the food out. For the same reasons as the last tip, hard brushing will wear away the enamel on the outside of your teeth. For a better solution, focus more on your gums when you brush and make sure to floss every day.

3. Avoid Tea, Coffee and Soft Drink

Tea, coffee and soft drink all contain sugar and tannins that stain your teeth!  So reduce the amount you consume to keep your pearly whites, pearly white!

Now you can have beautiful pearly whites at home!