7 Tips to Whiten Your Teeth Naturally

You’ve probably heard of the standard teeth whitening solutions at your dentist or local pharmacy, but did you know that you can also use natural products to whiten your teeth? Try these 7 tips to whiten your teeth naturally using products you have around the house and see how quickly your smile brightens up!

1) Use a Baking Soda and Lemon Juice Routine

Baking soda and lemon juice are two well-known household items that can help whiten your teeth when combined. Start by mixing equal parts baking soda and lemon juice. Then, brush your teeth with it and leave it on for about 10 minutes before rinsing out with warm water.

Do not use baking soda and lemon juice more than once a week; otherwise, you may damage your enamel or irritate your gums. If you notice any sensitivity or redness of your teeth, stop using it altogether until it goes away. This DIY mixture can also lighten stains in places other than your teeth, like on cups and plates—so you might want to give it a try there as well! Just remember: Don’t scrub too hard while brushing since doing so could cause some of those stains to reappear! For best results, visit your dentist regularly (every six months is generally recommended).

2) Use Salt Water to Remove Surface Stains

To remove surface stains, you can dip a clean toothbrush in salt water and brush your teeth. This will effectively scrub away surface stains from coffee, tea, and cigarettes. teeth whitening solutions be sure to rinse your mouth well after brushing with salt water; it’s not for daily use. Repeat every 1-2 weeks until you get a whiter smile!

Rubbing Alcohol Makes an Effective Tooth Stain Remover: Just like rubbing alcohol has antiseptic properties that help fight germs, it also fights surface stains on your teeth. Use a cotton swab to rub some alcohol onto stained areas of your teeth—be sure to avoid gums—then follow up with regular toothpaste (and floss!) to make sure all of the alcohol is rinsed off. Before you go to bed, soak cotton swabs in vodka or rubbing alcohol and stick them between your teeth before going to sleep at night (it’ll evaporate by morning!). Don’t want any extra chemicals near your gums? You can also use witch hazel instead of rubbing alcohol for similarly effective results!

3) Brush With Hydrogen Peroxide

If you’re looking for an inexpensive and natural teeth whitening solution, you might want to try hydrogen peroxide. Commercial teeth whiteners are often very harsh on your teeth and can cause damage over time. Hydrogen peroxide is a much gentler alternative that is safe for use on teeth.

Mixing it with baking soda will create a paste you can brush onto your teeth, getting rid of stains and making them noticeably whiter. Use it once or twice a week in order to get results. Be careful not to use too much hydrogen peroxide though. It can actually harm your enamel if not used carefully enough! However, remember that hydrogen peroxide does oxidize as it ages; don’t use liquid from old bottles.

Old peroxide may release oxygen radicals which can attack proteins and lipids in membranes like red blood cells. This leads to hemolysis (destruction of red blood cells) which may lead to kidney failure, cardiac arrest, shock and even death.

4) Brush With Toothpaste Twice a Day

No, we’re not advocating that you brush so often that your teeth whitening solutions feel like they’re about to fall out. Twice a day, with a soft bristle toothbrush and fluoride-containing toothpaste, is all you need for healthy teeth and gums. If it feels too abrasive or painful, speak with your dentist about increasing your comfort level with an electric toothbrush.

If possible after brushing with regular toothpaste and flossing, rinse your mouth out with a baking soda solution of 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda in 8 ounces water. Follow up after 20 minutes by brushing again using regular fluoride-containing toothpaste. We recommend sodium fluoride as a great option for dental health because of its strong anti-cavity properties (as well as other benefits).

Make sure any toothpaste you use has fluoride! Why? Fluoride works wonders on teeth by fighting cavities. It works from inside out; it builds enamel—the hardest substance in our body—which protects our teeth from decay. The easiest way to fight cavities naturally is to brush twice daily (after meals) with fluoridated toothpaste and floss once daily. Avoid eating sugary snacks and sticky foods such as caramel candies, nuts, popcorn and gum whenever possible (chewing gum can actually increase cavity risk). Eat some fruit instead if you get hungry between meals.

5) Drink Clean Water

While you can’t change what caused your teeth discoloration, you can reverse some of it by drinking more water. The more you hydrate your body and wash away residual tooth-staining substances, like coffee and red wine, with clean water, the less your teeth will look stained. Try adding a slice of lemon to increase pH levels in your mouth and use a straw when possible as an added precautionary measure.

For best results, drink at least half of your body weight in ounces each day (about 10–12 glasses). If that seems too much for you start small—even just replacing some or all of your drinks with water is a good way to get started!

6) Eat Healthy Foods

You don’t need a dentist or even special toothpaste or mouthwash to make your teeth whiter. Diet and hygiene play a major role in oral health, and you can eat certain foods that actually can help whiten your teeth. Dark berries, in particular blueberries, raspberries and blackberries, are high in compounds called anthocyanins that not only taste great but also give them their vibrant colors.

They’re also said to have positive effects on oral health. Strawberries are another tasty source of these compounds. The more you consume these fruits (or dark leafy greens like spinach), the better your overall oral health will be.

7) Get Professional Teeth Whitening Once in a While

Your teeth can become stained naturally over time, and even with good brushing and flossing habits, you might have a hard time getting them back to white. If you really want that coveted pearly whites look and feel, consider scheduling regular teeth whitening appointments with your dentist. (However, keep in mind that trays aren’t as effective as in-office treatments—plus some people experience sensitivity after wearing them.)

There are also natural solutions to get teeth whitening at home using items you probably already have lying around. Check out these seven tips for getting professional results without paying a fortune or sitting in a dental chair for an hour.