Whether you are reading headlines in the grocery store checkout lane or talking to a friend about her upcoming wedding plans, chances are you’ve heard several ways to whiten your teeth. It is no doubt that walking down the grocery store aisle can feel a little overwhelming these days as hundreds of different whitening products can be found.
Interestingly, whitening product options aren’t just found at your local supermarket. Today’s latest craze claims that even things in your kitchen can help whiten your smile, but can they?
If you’re interested in learning more about natural home ingredients and how they can help whiten your teeth, this article is for you!
What Causes Yellowing Of Your Teeth?
There are several reasons why your teeth are yellow. The natural aging process is a significant factor. As you age, your enamel goes through years of use and abuse. Wear from chewing can become evident, and you might notice your teeth picking up stains.
Food and drinks can also cause yellowing or darkening of teeth. Wine, coffee, berries, and dark sodas are common culprits. Tobacco use is another thing that can discolor or stain teeth.
Certain medications can have the side effect of staining your teeth, and of course, less than ideal homecare can also lead to your teeth looking yellow from plaque that may form on your teeth’s surface.
How To Fix A Yellow Smile
Chances are that you have noticed the many choices of whitening products on the market. Your supermarket and dentist probably have you covered between mouth rinses, kinds of toothpaste, and whitening strips. We want to share a few simple options with you today; you might even have them in your kitchen!
Brushing With Baking Soda
Baking soda is slightly abrasive, and this can work to remove stains and plaque on your teeth. A simple way to use baking soda is adding it to your brushing routine a few times per week. Since baking soda is slightly abrasive, we don’t recommend using it every week, as this could be too much for your gum tissue or enamel.
An easy and effective way to mix up baking soda to be used as toothpaste is by combining:
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 2 tsp water
Coconut Pulling
Coconut oil pulling goes way back as it has been used in many different cultures for detoxification. Coconut oil is antibacterial, and when swished, it attracts bacteria in the mouth. It has also been shown to help brighten teeth.
We recommend taking a spoonful of coconut oil and swishing it for a few minutes. As the coconut oil moves around your mouth, the bacteria will attract to the oil. After a few minutes, spit out the coconut oil, and your mouth will be left feeling clean!
One little tip: make sure to spit the coconut oil into the trash, not your sink. Coconut oil hardens at room temperature, so you won’t want it to clog your sink.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a natural disinfectant that can kill bacteria and whiten teeth. Even though it can keep your mouth clean and whiten your teeth, we still recommend being cautious with it. Since apple cider vinegar is quite acidic, it could cause erosion of your teeth’s enamel.
We do not recommend using apple cider vinegar for long periods as this could lead to long-term damage. Using apple cider vinegar should also be diluted with water as using it straight is very potent.
As with whitening techniques, we recommend asking your dentist what option is best for you. Do you have whitening questions, or are you wondering if you are a good candidate for whitening? Call us today!