Is your smile not as white and bright as you want it to be? Unfortunately, our teeth can be discolored by a variety of foods and poor oral hygiene habits. However, there are a variety of ways to naturally whiten and brighten your teeth.
Some people turn to chemical solutions. Yet these chemical treatments can be bad for your oral health. Before resorting to chemicals, you could try natural solutions that may lead to a whiter smile without the detrimental side effects.
With that in mind, let’s examine five ways to naturally get and maintain a white smile.
1. Make Sure You’re Brushing And Flossing Your Teeth
First thing’s first, you need to brush your teeth regularly. And by that, I mean brushing your teeth at least twice per day, with each session lasting two to three minutes. You also need to floss to remove debris and plaque that might be building up between your teeth.
Regular flossing and brushing are important, as doing so will control bacterial growth. Bacteria, in turn, are responsible for much of the staining on your teeth.
Not a fan of the minty chemical toothpastes? Fortunately, there are a variety of natural toothpastes that you can use instead. Natural tea tree oil and activated charcoal toothpastes are two widely used natural alternatives to regular toothpaste.
Keep in mind, however, that fluoride is essential for your oral health. So if you don’t want to use fluoride toothpaste, it’s best to talk to your dental care provider.
2. A Healthy Diet Leads to a Healthy Smile
Many processed foods are rich in sugars and other things that can damage your teeth. Some of these foods, such as soda and coffee can also stain your teeth. If you want to whiten your smile naturally, a healthy diet is vital.
Some foods are even believed to help whiten your teeth. For example, crisp vegetables and fruits may scrub your teeth while you chew. Fruits and vegetables also stimulate saliva production, which will then naturally rinse out your mouth.
Some fruits are even believed to contain stain fighting acids and other nutrients. Take strawberries, which contain malic acid. Some believe this acid can naturally whiten your teeth. Pineapples, meanwhile, contain Bromelain, which has been found to have whitening properties.
When choosing foods, keep in mind that they can dye your teeth. For example, dark berries can also stain your teeth, so another fruit might be a better choice.
3. Try Coconut Oil Pulling
Coconut oil may be able to whiten your teeth. Coconut oil pulling is easy, simply take a spoonful of coconut oil and swish it around for five to fifteen minutes. Yes, you really do have to swish for several minutes, as a quick rinse won’t make much of a difference.
You can also apply coconut oil to a washcloth and then gently scrub your teeth. Coconut oil is believed to have antibacterial properties. So as you swish, the oil will kill off the bacteria on your gums and teeth.
4. Brush Your Teeth With Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal may also be able to brighten and whiten your smile. The charcoal should remove bacteria and other things that could be damaging your teeth.
Activated charcoal is often ingested to absorb toxins within the body. To whiten your teeth, however, you’ll need powdered charcoal. Simply dip a wet toothbrush into the charcoal, then gently scrub away.
5. Apple Cider Vinegar is a Great Natural Mouthwash
While apple cider vinegar is often used for cooking, it’s also a great cleaning product. Indeed, for hundreds of years, people have been using apple cider vinegar to clean up around the home. You can also use apple cider vinegar as a mouthwash.
Among other things, the acetic acid found in apple cider vinegar is believed to kill off bacteria. These bacteria, in turn, are responsible for the many discolorations and stains on your teeth. So by rinsing out your mouth with vinegar, you can put bacteria levels in check.
However, researchers have found that while vinegar can whiten teeth, it can also soften them. As such, you might not want to overexpose your mouth to apple cider vinegar.
And Remember, Don’t Let Up On Your Oral Health
As you can see, there are a lot of natural ways to whiten your teeth. Keep in mind, however, that maintaining your oral health will require constant effort. Even if you manage to whiten your teeth with vinegar or charcoal, if you don’t brush regularly and regulate your diet, your teeth will be stained in no time.
If you have any questions, or if the above methods aren’t working, consider reaching out to a dental health expert. He or she will be able to further advise you.
