How To Get White Teeth?
“You will find that life is still worthwhile, if you just smile,” said Charlie Chaplin. But what if you have yellow teeth? You would obviously not want the world to see them! It is necessary to take care of your teeth and make sure they are healthy and white. And this is not just for cosmetic reasons. The color of your teeth reflects your dental health.
How to Get Rid of Yellow Teeth?
It is true that the easiest and fastest way of getting rid of teeth stains or discoloration is visiting cosmetic dentists. They use specialized teeth whitening strips and fluids that can eradicate teeth stains quickly. However, these methods are not healthy for your teeth in the long run. There are many other less expensive and effective teeth whitening methods that you can try at home. They do not cost much and have little or no side effects. Besides, these methods can also give quick results.
How to Whiten Your Teeth Instantly?
Home Remedies For Teeth Whitening
1. Apple Cider Vinegar For White Teeth
Ingredients:
- 1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- A cup of water
Method:
- Add the vinegar to the water and mix well.
- Gargle with this water before brushing your teeth.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this 2-3 times in a week in the mornings.
How it Works:
Apple cider vinegar contains mild acids that can remove the yellow stains from your teeth and make them whiter with usage.
2. Baking Soda And Lime Juice For Teeth Whitening
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon lime/lemon juice
- Toothbrush
Method:
- Mix the baking soda and lemon juice.
- With the toothbrush, apply this paste on your teeth.
- Leave it on for 2-3 minutes and then rinse your mouth with water.
How Often You Should Do This
- Repeat this twice a week initially, and then use it once in 7-10 days.
How it Works:
Sodium bicarbonate, commonly known as baking soda, is a common ingredient found in nearly every kitchen. It is mildly abrasive in nature and helps eradicate surface stains on the teeth. It is also alkaline in nature and helps reduce acidity inside the mouth. Lemon juice is slightly acidic in nature and helps to remove teeth discoloration. It is also a natural antiseptic agent.
Caution
- Make sure you do not keep it on the teeth for long.
3. Banana Peel To Whiten Teeth
Ingredients:
- Banana peel
Method:
- Cut the banana peel into small pieces.
- Take a piece and rub the inside of it on your teeth. Rub gently all over your teeth for a minute or two.
- Rinse your mouth with lukewarm water.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this once every day or every alternate day till you get whiter teeth.
How it Works:
Banana peel contains minerals like manganese and potassium that help in teeth whitening.
4. Coconut Oil To Whiten Teeth
Ingredients:
- Organic coconut oil
Method:
- Rub some coconut oil on your teeth with your fingers. Ensure you do not swallow it.
- Rinse with adequate water and follow with brushing.
How Often You Should Do This
- Do this every day in the morning.
How it Works:
You may find this somewhat odd as coconut oil is mostly known to be beneficial for skin and hair health. The lauric acid present in coconut oil eliminates the plaque-causing bacteria in the teeth. It also helps in keeping your breath fresh.
5. Orange Oil For Teeth Whitening
Ingredients:
- 2-3 drops orange essential oil
- Toothpaste
- Toothbrush
Method:
- Put the orange oil on your toothbrush and then put toothpaste on it.
- Brush your teeth as usual.
How Often You Should Do This
Repeat this every morning for a week or so.
How it Works:
Orange essential oil is prepared from the rind of the fruit. The citrus content aids in teeth whitening, while the essential oil has antifungal properties and promotes gum health.
6. Sesame Oil For Teeth Whitening
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
Method:
- Swish the oil in your mouth for 15-20 minutes. Make sure you do this on an empty stomach. Do not ingest the oil.
- Swish it around slowly.
- After 20 minutes, spit the oil out and rinse your mouth thoroughly with water. You can add a pinch of Himalayan salt to this water if you like.
- Brush as usual.
How Often You Should Do This
- Do this once in the morning.
How it Works:
Swishing with sesame oil has been shown to remove not just teeth stains but also dental plaque.
7. Charcoal To Whiten Teeth
Ingredients:
- Powdered activated charcoal
- Toothbrush
Method:
- Wet the toothbrush and dip it in the charcoal.
- Brush your teeth with this using gentle circular motions for two minutes.
- Rinse your mouth thoroughly with water.
How Often You Should Do This
- Use this remedy once or twice a week.
How it Works:
Activated charcoal absorbs impurities and whitens teeth effectively and quickly. It is also useful to prevent cavities and maintain teeth and gum health.
8. Gargling With Peroxide To Whiten Teeth
Ingredients:
- 1 cup 2-3.5% hydrogen peroxide
- 1 cup distilled water
Method:
- Dilute the hydrogen peroxide with water.
- Gargle with this solution for 30-40 seconds and spit it out.
- Rinse your mouth with plain water.
How Often You Should Do This
- Repeat this twice a week.
Why This Work
As it is a bleaching agent, hydrogen peroxide is an excellent remedy to whiten teeth at home. Dentists use higher concentrations of this in commercial teeth whitening treatments.
Caution
Do not ingest the solution. Also, do not use it on a daily basis.
9. Salt And Lemon For Teeth Whitening
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
Method:
- Mix the lemon juice and salt.
- Use this mixture as a toothpaste. Brush as usual.
How Often You Should Do This
- Do this twice a week.
How it Works:
The natural bleaching quality of lemon juice removes yellow stains from the teeth, and the salt acts as a gentle exfoliant. It scrubs away the stains that have built up on the teeth.
10. Turmeric For Teeth Whitening
Ingredients:
- 1/8 teaspoon turmeric powder
- Toothbrush
Method:
- Sprinkle some turmeric powder on your toothbrush and brush your teeth.
- Leave it on for 2-3 minutes and then rinse your mouth thoroughly.
- Brush with your regular toothpaste after this.
How Often You Should Do This
The one-time use of this remedy will give you instant results. Repeat after a few days if required.
How it Works:
Do not let the coloring turmeric gives food (and your clothes after an unfortunate spill) scare you from using this remedy. The mild abrasive property of this herb helps remove deep stains from the teeth. It also makes your teeth and gums stronger and free of unhealthy microbes.
11. Epsom Salt For Teeth Whitening
Ingredients:
- 1 part Epsom salt
- 1 part water
- Toothbrush
Method:
- Mix the Epsom salt and water so that the salt dissolves in the water.
- Brush your teeth with this.
- Add some more water to the remaining salt-water solution and gargle with it.
- Follow it up by gargling with plain water.
How Often You Should Do This
- Repeat this 2-3 times a week.
How it Works:
This salt exfoliates the yellow layer of staining that has formed on the teeth. It is also antibacterial in nature.
12. Guava Leaves For Teeth Whitening
Ingredients:
- 1-2 guava leaves
Method:
- Crush the guava leaves to get a coarse paste.
- Rub this on your teeth and leave it on for a minute or two.
- Rinse your mouth and brush your teeth as usual.
How Often You Should Do This
Repeat this every alternate day for a few days.
How it Works:
Guava leaves can be used to treat a variety of dental issues such as plaque, infections, and gum swelling. Its flavonoids and phenols remove the oxidative stress caused on the teeth by different microorganisms, which is one of the reasons for the teeth staining.
13. Neem For Teeth Whitening
Ingredients:
- 4-5 neem leaves
- 1 ½ cups water
Method:
- Boil the neem leaves in warm water for a few minutes. Do not let the water heat up too much.
- Strain the solution and let it cool down to lukewarm temperature.
- Gargle with this water before or after brushing your teeth.
How Often You Should Do This
Repeat this every day or every alternate day.
How it Works:
Neem is a natural astringent and also a soothing agent. Its regular usage will ensure that your teeth and gums are healthy and without any stains (15).
14. Orange Peel For Teeth Whitening
Ingredients:
- Orange peel
Method:
- Rub the inside of the orange peel on your teeth for a minute or two.
- Brush your teeth as usual with your regular toothpaste.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this every alternate day for a week or two to see results.
How it Works:
The acidic content of orange peels whitens teeth and also acts as an antimicrobial agent.
15. Strawberries For Teeth Whitening
Ingredients:
- 1 strawberry
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
Method:
- Mash the strawberry and mix it with baking soda.
- Use a toothbrush or your finger to apply the mixture on your teeth. Leave it on for a few minutes.
- Rinse off and do another round of brushing with your regular toothpaste.
How Often You Should Do This
This can be done once a week.
How it Works:
The acids, namely malic acid and ascorbic acid, present in strawberries lighten the teeth stains. With a few uses, you will see that your teeth have become whiter and brighter.
So, these were the home remedies for teeth whitening. Most of them might need a few repetitions to show effective results. Do not use more than the recommended amount of the ingredients as the natural acids present in them will damage the tooth enamel on excessive usage.
Let us now look at some other diet and nutrition recommendations that can help in teeth whitening.
Best Foods That Whiten Teeth
- Eating citrus fruits like oranges can be advantageous for your health as they are packed with nutrients and antioxidants. Their vitamin C content makes them suitable for nearly everyone. However, these fruits contain acids, which can erode the teeth enamel and cause deeply etched teeth stains. This does not mean you should stop eating lemons and oranges. Make sure you rinse your mouth thoroughly with water after eating such fruits every time to ensure the acids do not affect your teeth.
- It would be a good idea to include plenty of crunchy vegetables and fruits in your diet. Examples include apple, celery, and carrots. Their abrasive texture will rub the teeth and peel off the yellow coating gradually.
- Taking milk-based products can help balance the pH levels in the mouth. This aids in not providing the right breeding environment for microorganisms. By doing this, the microbes will not be able to secrete harmful chemicals that cause teeth staining.
- Some foods and drinks need to be kept to a minimum to keep your pearlies white. They are:
- A few foods with dark pigmentation can lead to teeth staining. It is better if you reduce their consumption. Examples are blueberries, soy sauce, and marinara sauce.
- A refreshing morning tea or a cup of hot coffee after work is what most people cherish. However, these beverages and energy drinks lead to teeth staining, and, at times, can even lead to enamel erosion. It may not be possible to avoid such drinks and beverages at all times. However, try not to swish them in your mouth while sipping.
- Use a straw to drink energy drinks and soda so that there is minimum direct contact of these with your teeth.
- You must have heard this already. Quitting smoking not only offers you teeth whitening benefits, but it also helps your lungs and heart. Give up smoking in every form to improve the appearance of your teeth.
Tips & Precaution:
When done the right way, teeth whitening is not bad for your health. The bleaching agents are solely used on your teeth, and the process is carefully administered by a dentist. However, there is some debate regarding the effects of this procedure on the tooth enamel after a number of sittings.
Also, teeth whitening treatment is not a recommended procedure for pregnant women and nursing mothers.
Now that you know how to get white teeth naturally, what are you waiting for? The cosmetic treatments offered in the market are expensive and may have side effects in the long run. It is always better to opt for at-home remedies that are both safe and effective. Time to get your smile back.
Let us know how this post has helped you. Share your experience and views in the box below.