Stained, yellow, or even brown teeth can be embarrassing, and for a lot of people, cosmetic dentistry treatment is the only option. But for those who don’t want to use bleaching treatments or go through invasive dental procedures, there are things you can do at home.
Cleaning your teeth is a part of your daily routine, but did you know this can also help keep your smile white and bright? You don’t need your dentist to whiten your teeth anymore. Today there are many proven ways to whiten teeth at home using natural methods.
What Causes Teeth To Become Yellow?
Teeth naturally darken over time because of the buildup of stains and tarter (a thin film of bacteria) on their surface. Your diet, lifestyle habits (like smoking), and genetics also play a role in how fast or slow your teeth become stained and discolored.
The most common culprit is coffee, tea, colas, wine, and other beverages that contain dark pigments.
Tobacco use also speeds up the discoloration process because tar absorbs into the enamel of your teeth. Other foods like carrots and berries can contribute to staining as well.
Simple Home Remedies To Whiten Your Teeth Naturally
Baking Soda and Lemon
One of the best ways to whiten teeth at home is with baking soda and lemon juice. The combination works because the natural abrasives in the ingredients help remove stains from your teeth, while the citric acid in lemons brightens your smile.
Here’s how to make this homemade toothpaste:
- Put a teaspoon of baking soda into a small bowl or cup.
- Add a few drops of lemon juice (or enough to form a paste) and mix until combined.
- Apply this mixture to your toothbrush and brush as usual.
- The process takes just minutes and will help you achieve that perfect smile without expensive treatments or chemicals that can damage your enamel.
- Baking soda is a great tooth-whitening agent, and lemon juice is a great antibacterial. Together, they make a great formula for whiter teeth at home.
Baking soda neutralizes the acid in your mouth, which can cause teeth to become yellowed or stained over time.
Lemon juice contains acids that help remove stains from your teeth and brighten them up.
Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide
Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide are two very simple ingredients that can be used to get whiter teeth. This method works by removing surface stains on your teeth and creating an environment in your mouth that makes it harder for new stains to form.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 1/4 cup hydrogen peroxide (3 percent strength)**
- A toothbrush or plastic syringe
- Cotton balls or swabs
Here’s how:
- Mix 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda with 8 ounces of water, then use a cotton swab to apply this mixture to your teeth.
- Leave on for 5 minutes, but don’t swallow.
- Rinse with warm water, then brush as normal with fluoride-free toothpaste.
- Now add 2 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide to 8 ounces of water (or 16 drops if using store-bought hydrogen peroxide) and swish around in your mouth for 30 seconds before spitting it out into the sink. Don’t swallow.
- Rinse again with warm water, then brush again as normal with fluoride-free toothpaste.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a natural whitener that can be used at home. It’s also a good source of minerals, vitamins, and enzymes that help improve overall health.
The key ingredient in ACV is the same ingredient found in many over-the-counter teeth-whitening products that you can buy at your local drugstore.
The great thing about using apple cider vinegar for teeth whitening is that it’s much cheaper than buying an expensive product from the store, and it doesn’t contain all those harsh chemicals that could potentially damage your enamel or cause other side effects.
There are several ways to use apple cider vinegar for teeth whitening:
- Add 1 teaspoon of baking soda and 1 teaspoon of water, then mix in a few drops of ACV.
- Use this as a paste on your teeth to gently remove stains from them (leave on for 5 minutes).
- Rinse well afterward with water.
Mix 1/4 cup of ACV with 1/2 cup water; gargle twice daily for 5 minutes each time (do not swallow).
How to Prevent Staining Teeth
Tooth staining can happen when your teeth are exposed to certain ingredients such as coffee, tea, red wine, and tobacco products. The key to preventing tooth staining is to take good care of your teeth by brushing and flossing regularly.
Here are some tips on how you can prevent tooth staining:
Eat a Healthy Diet
The first thing you need to do is eat a healthy diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables. This will help build strong teeth and prevent tooth decay which is also known as dental caries.
Brush Your Teeth Twice Daily
Brushing your teeth twice daily will help remove plaque from the surface of your teeth.
Plaque is a sticky substance that forms on your teeth when bacteria mix with food particles and saliva in your mouth.
Bacteria in plaque can cause cavities and gum disease if not removed regularly by brushing your teeth at least twice per day with fluoride toothpaste and flossing once daily if possible.
Floss daily if you can
Flossing is one of the most important things you can do for your smile. It helps remove plaque, food particles, and bacteria from between your teeth that a toothbrush can’t reach.
If you want to make sure that the food particles don’t get stuck in between your teeth, it’s important to floss daily.
If you have any difficulty flossing, ask your dentist what type of floss would work best for you. They may also recommend using an interdental brush or water flosser if necessary.
Avoid chewing on any kind of tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars, or chewing tobacco.
Smoking causes gum disease and tooth discoloration as well as other health problems like cancer and heart disease.
Tobacco use has also been linked with an increased risk for oral cancer; just one cigarette can increase your risk.
Switching from coffee and tea to water
These beverages contain acids that may cause teeth to become stained over time as well as contribute to enamel erosion which causes teeth to become more porous and thus more susceptible to staining from other sources like tetracycline antibiotics, soda pop, etc.
Rinse with water after each meal to remove food particles from the mouth
Drinking water or other liquids after eating helps wash away any remaining food particles on your teeth and prevents them from becoming trapped in plaque or tartar.
It also keeps your mouth hydrated so that bacteria cannot thrive as easily in your mouth and cause cavities or gum disease (gingivitis).
Using fluoride mouthwash or toothpaste
Toothpaste with fluoride help strengthen your teeth and prevent decay.
They also reduce the risk of cavities and gingivitis (inflammation of the gums).
Some people use a fluoride mouthwash instead because it’s easier to use, but most dentists recommend using both together for best results.
Final Thoughts
You can whiten your teeth at home, but it will take a lot of time and effort. Use baking soda and lemon juice and also add some toothpaste to get the same effect.
