You must have seen a couple of TV commercials advertising one oral product or the other. The advertisers tend to present the effectiveness of these products when it comes to fresh breath and healthy white teeth. Of course, you cannot know if it results in a fresh breath, but one thing that captivates you at the end is the sparkling white teeth that you see. A perfect set of sparkling white teeth is a thing that most people want; it is a thing of beauty. How lovely it is to be able to smile confidently in social gatherings. Wearing a confident and adorable smile is not something everyone can as a result of teeth discoloration. Teeth discoloration is a result of three primary causes. The discoloration can happen as a result of the teeth’s exposure to a substance called fluoride. It can also be a result of stains from sugary drinks or coffee. Age-related problems can also result in teeth discoloration.
There is a good deal of products to select from when it comes to whitening your teeth. But a lot of these whitening products utilize chemicals to bleach your teeth, which is a cause of concern for many people. To avoid these chemicals and still get your teeth whitened, you can use natural teeth whitening techniques. Natural teeth whitening techniques are safe, as they don’t involve the use of chemicals which can bleach your teeth.
Simple Ways to Naturally Whiten Your Teeth
It is important that you use natural and safer means to whiten your teeth. Here are some simple ways of whitening your teeth naturally.
1. Oil pulling:
Oil pulling is a term used for cleaning the mouth with oil to remove bacteria and dirt. It is believed that it removes toxins from the body and improves oral hygiene. Oil pulling is performed by squishing oil around in your mouth. Coconut oil, sunflower oil, and sesame oil are considered suitable for oil pulling. There is no scientific evidence to prove that oil pulling whitens the teeth, but you can still give it a try as it is a safe practice. Most people after regular oil pulling claim their teeth become whiter. Studies have shown that daily use of oil pulling can reduce bacteria in the mouth, along with gingivitis and plaque.
2. Brush with baking soda:
Baking soda is a mild abrasive that helps scrubs away surface stains on the teeth. It also creates an alkaline environment in your mouth that helps prevent the growth of bacteria. Though brushing with baking soda will not whiten your teeth overnight, but over time, it will. Although there is no scientific proof to show that brushing with plain baking soda whitens the teeth, studies show that toothpaste that contains baking soda is effective for removing stains on the teeth, and hence, they are good for whitening the teeth. Because of the whitening properties of baking soda, they are used in many commercial toothpastes.
3. Use hydrogen peroxide:
Hydrogen peroxide is a natural bleaching agent. It also helps to kill bacteria. The use of hydrogen peroxide is not new; people have been using it to disinfect wounds as a result of its bacteria-killing abilities. Hydrogen peroxide is an ingredient in most commercial whitening products. Studies have shown that toothpaste containing a little percentage of hydrogen peroxide together with baking soda is effective for whitening the teeth. However, there is no scientific proof to show the effects of brushing or rinsing the mouth with hydrogen peroxide alone. There are safety concerns when it comes to the use of hydrogen peroxide. Overuse or use of strong concentrations can cause gum irritation and tooth sensitivity. A heavily diluted concentration is much safer.
4. Eat fruit and vegetables:
Crunchy, raw fruits and vegetables are as good to your teeth as they are to your body. They are known to remove plaque from your teeth when you chew them. There are claims that fruits like pineapple and strawberries help to whiten the teeth. For example, the malic acid in strawberries helps to remove discoloration on your teeth and in turn makes them appear whiter. Also, bromelain, which is an enzyme found in pineapple is effective for removing stains and generally useful for tooth whitening. Eating fruits and vegetables is good for both your body and teeth, but they should not substitute the brushing of your teeth.
5. Regularly floss and brush:
This is your best bet to getting whiter teeth. It is the most important thing you need to maintain your white teeth. While some tooth discoloration comes naturally with age, most are a result of plaque buildup. So, regular brushing and flossing will help to reduce bacteria in your mouth and thus, prevents plaque buildup. This will consequently help your teeth stay white. Flossing helps to remove bacteria that cause plaque and brushing with toothpaste will help to remove stains on your teeth. So, do not underestimate the value of regularly brushing and flossing. Aside from brushing and flossing, regular dental cleanings will also help keep your teeth clean and white.
Unproven Natural Teeth Whitening Methods
There are other natural methods for whitening the teeth, but the effectiveness or safety of these methods has not been proven. The unproven methods for teeth whitening include:
- Brushing with activated charcoal. There are claims that brushing with powdered charcoal helps to pull toxins from the mouth and also stains from the teeth.
- Rubbing fruit peels. There are claims that rubbing lemon, banana, or orange peels on your teeth makes them whiter.
- Using apple cider vinegar. The use of apple cider vinegar as a tooth whitening technique is somewhat surprising because apple cider vinegar is known to weaken the enamel which can lead to tooth decay.
- Brushing with kaolin clay. There are claims that brushing with clay helps to remove stains from the teeth.
Conclusion
There are several natural methods for whitening your teeth, some of which have been mentioned above. Most of the natural teeth whitening techniques work by gently removing stains on the surface of your teeth. However, for severe tooth discoloration, the natural tooth whitening methods may not be sufficient. You may need a stronger remedy than the natural ones. It is important that you consult your dentist to know the teeth whitening method that will work best for you.