A trip to the dentist can be harrowing, and expensive, so why would you have your teeth whitened with a dental technician? The good news is that you need not any more. You can whiten your teeth at home, naturally, and with minimal cost using products you may already have in your pantry. Here are a few ways to get those pearly whites whiter with household ingredients.
Baking soda and lemon juice paste
It’s no secret that baking soda, otherwise known as sodium bicarbonate, can be used to brush your teeth. It was the go-to substance used for many years prior to the invention of toothpaste. But did you know that its mildly abrasive qualities are great for gently scrubbing away surface stains to whiten your teeth? It’s also very alkaline and can help balance out your mouth’s pH levels. Lemon juice also acts as natural bleach. You can use lemon juice with baking soda, or just stick to a water mix.
Directions
Simply mix half a teaspoon of baking soda with half a teaspoon of lemon juice in a small cup, then mix to form a paste. Wipe the saliva from your teeth with a paper towel, and then dip your toothbrush into the cup, making sure you cover the bristles with the paste, then brush. Leave the paste on your teeth for one minute, then rinse thoroughly. If you’re using water instead of lemon juice, you can leave the paste in your mouth for around three minutes.
Strawberry, sea salt and baking soda scrub
Strawberries are high in vitamin C, as well as an enzyme called malic acid, both of which may help to remove surface stains caused by plaque. The baking soda and sea salt portion act as a gentle abrasive, which will also scrub away the stains that the strawberries miss.
Directions
Mash one, two or three strawberries (depending on size) into a pulp, then add a pinch of sea salt and half a teaspoon of baking soda. Again, wipe the saliva off your teeth with a paper towel, and then apply the mixture to a toothbrush and brush gently. Let the mixture sit for five minutes, then rinse. Do this every night for best effect.
Oil pulling
Oil pulling is the act of rinsing your mouth with coconut oil. It is an age-old Ayurvedic technique that can help whiten your teeth. And whilst it doesn’t necessarily ‘bleach’ your teeth, the lauric acid in coconut oil gets rid of the bacteria found in plaque, which can make your teeth yellow. Oil pulling also promotes healthy gums and can keep your breath fresh.
Directions
Prior to brushing your teeth, scoop out a tablespoon of coconut oil. If solid, you can melt it (five seconds in microwave on high) or just put it straight into your mouth and allow it to soften naturally. Swish the oil around in your mouth for approximately 10 minutes, taking care to push and pull it through your teeth, and then spit it out. Rinse with water, and brush your teeth afterwards.
These home remedies won’t give you ‘blinding’ white teeth within a week, but if you choose one and stick with it often, your teeth will whiten over time, and your mouth will feel healthy.
And the best bit is, by using these natural remedies you can save the money you would have spent on a dentist or technician for something else.
Do you know of any natural teeth-whitening techniques? Why not share them with our members?
