How To Whiten Your Teeth Naturally

Teeth are an important aspect of our health, appearance, and self-confidence and we need to pay special care to them. As we use our teeth daily, it is only normal to expect that they show signs of wear and tear in time. These signs are often crooked or yellow teeth, tooth decay, different gum diseases, or any other form of damaged teeth. The key thing is to address any ongoing issues promptly for the most optimal results. And of course, we should be mindful of those solutions: they should be as little harmful as possible to us. 

For instance, a hot topic is teeth whitening. There are two main types of teeth whitening that you can go for. These include in-office teeth whitening treatments as well as at-home whitening treatments. However, we’re going to shed light and focus on some completely natural ways to whiten your teeth. Take a look at some dental hygiene do’s and don’ts. 

The importance of healthy and pearly white teeth 

As already mentioned briefly, teeth are an important aspect of our health, appearance, and self-confidence. That’s why we (should) take care of them so much. We should also instil these habits in our children and choose the right child specialist dentist. Healthy and nice-looking, white teeth are one of the main indicators of a person’s overall health. Indirectly, teeth also affect our self-confidence. How come, you’re wondering? Well, when we like how our teeth look and feel as well as their colour, we tend to be more relaxed and also smile more. And this is crucial for general advancement in life. Some studies revealed that people who are satisfied with how their teeth look, smile more and have more self-confidence. In turn, this enables other people to trust them. Subsequently, it gives them a chance to climb up the corporate ladder more quickly. Of course, this is all in combination with a certain education, valuable experience, knowledge, and skills acquired. 

Natural ways to whiten your teeth 

1. Baking soda 

Baking soda is characterized by having inherent whitening properties, and hence, it is often used as an ingredient in toothpaste. It is a gentle abrasive, which helps in removing stains on teeth. Moreover, baking soda as such also has some secondary benefits. These benefits include creating an environment in your mouth, which prevents bacteria from thriving. However, it doesn’t bring results overnight. In order for you to see some progress in your teeth whitening procedure, you should be using it over a certain period. Some studies researched the use of toothpaste containing baking soda. The results showed whiter teeth on people who used the toothpaste containing baking soda.

The studies also confirmed that the higher the concentration of baking soda, the whiter the teeth. Additionally, such toothpaste is also effective in removing plaque from teeth. To use it at home, create a mixture of one teaspoon of baking soda and two teaspoons of water. Brush your teeth with this paste a few times a week. However, if you have problems with crooked or gapped teeth, it would be better to visit your dentist first. You should address those issues with some of the most up-to-date techniques using Invisalign aligners and focus on teeth whitening afterwards. 

2. Hydrogen Peroxide 

Another one of the top tips for whitening your teeth includes using hydrogen peroxide. It is also a natural bleaching compound as well as bacteria-deterring (we are all familiar with it being used to disinfect wounds). It can be found in many commercial kinds of toothpaste. Some studies examined the effects of using a toothpaste containing a combination of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. The results showed significantly whiter teeth. However, no studies containing hydrogen peroxide alone have been conducted so far.

Conversely, there are also some potential risks or side effects of using the solution of hydrogen peroxide. Namely, strong concentrations can cause tooth sensitivity and gum irritation, so you should be careful. There are two ways you can use hydrogen peroxide at home. One way includes using it as a mouthwash with a 1.5% or 3% solution. The other way includes creating a mixture with baking soda and using it as a paste. The paste should contain one teaspoon of baking soda and two teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide. You should apply it a few times a week in order to avoid enamel erosion. 

3. Oil pulling 

Oil pulling is an ancient Indian tradition for improving oral hygiene and removing toxins from the body. As such, it has been present for quite some time. It involves swishing oil around your mouth to get rid of bacteria, which can eventually turn into plaque and cause yellow teeth. Traditionally, Indians used sesame or sunflower oil, but you can use any oil.

Coconut oil is quite popular due to its pleasant taste. As a bonus, it reduces inflammation and kills bacteria. There are still no studies to confirm that this practice whitens teeth, however, it is a safe practice to try. To do this at home, use one tablespoon of liquid coconut oil and swish it around your mouth, for 15 to 20 minutes. Try to reach all your teeth. As coconut oil doesn’t contain any acid or other enamel-eroding ingredients, it is safe to use daily. 

These natural ways to whiten teeth can be quite effective if practised as prescribed. And the best thing about them is that they are far less harmful to us than some other whitening techniques. However, it is still advisable to visit a professional like cosmetic dentist greenville to get your teeth whitened thoroughly.