How to Naturally Whiten Your Teeth

A recent study showed that 80% of Americans aged between 18 and 49 want whiter teeth. According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, more than $1.4 billion was spent on over-the-counter tooth-whitening products in 2016.

There are lots of over-the-counter products to choose from with many of them containing chemicals such as carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide. If you were to go to the dentist to get your teeth whitened, it would be a more concentrated version of this that they would use.

There is nothing wrong with wanting that gleaming smile, but it’s worth looking at some of the side effects of store-bought teeth whitening kits and how you might go about it using more natural methods.

Risks Related to Chemical Whitening Products

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According to the American Dental Association, using over-the-counter teeth whitening strips that contain peroxide is generally safe to use.

However, some people who use these products can begin to experience sensitivity. This is because the peroxide works through the enamel on your teeth and gets into the soft layer of dentin. This in turn irritates the nerves of your teeth.

They also warn that overuse of these whiteners, in general, can damage the tooth enamel and your gums. If you have any concerns about this, you should talk to your dentist.

Why Aren’t All Teeth White?

Whether or not you can get your teeth to brighten and whiten up will depend on why they are discolored in the first place.

The American Dental Association claims that discolored teeth can be the cause of various things. Age, medications, certain foods and drinks, and tobacco use can cause your teeth to discolor.

Poor dental hygiene can cause the teeth to look yellow due to plaque buildup. As well, if you have suffered any kind of trauma to the mouth, this might be the cause of discoloration in the tooth.

If the discoloration is due to medications or trauma, then tooth whitening will not likely work.

Natural Products That May Help to Whiten Your Teeth

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Baking Soda- This comes up a lot as a remedy for whitening teeth. It is also in many household cleaning products for its cleansing and stain-fighting action.

There is no real scientific backing that brushing with baking soda actually whitens your teeth in terms of bleaching. Though, it has been noted that due to its abrasive properties, baking soda is effective in scrubbing away stains.

Baking soda is also alkaline in nature, which helps to create a hostile environment in your mouth for acid-loving bacteria.

There are lots of recipes out there for baking soda-based homemade toothpaste. Many come with a recommendation that you shouldn’t use baking soda all the time as it is an abrasive and can wear down the enamel of your teeth.

Activated Charcoal- Much like baking soda, activated charcoal has not been proven to actually whiten your teeth. Rather, due to its coarse texture, it can work to scrub stains from your teeth to make them appear cleaner and whiter.

Again, brushing with abrasives too often can actually diminish the enamel on your teeth. Once this has worn, your teeth will start to look more yellow as the dentin starts to show through.

Oil Pulling- Just having a buildup of plaque and bacteria in your teeth can cause them to look yellow. Oil pulling with coconut oil is a method that is thought to help detoxify your mouth, ridding it of plaque-causing bacteria.

Coconut oil is naturally antibacterial and is high in lauric acid, which is thought to help with inflammation, too.

Though oil pulling doesn’t actually bleach your teeth, the simple reduction of plaque will make your teeth cleaner and brighter. Also, due to the gentleness of the practice, it is safe to do it on a regular basis.

How to Avoid Stained Teeth in The First Place

Sometimes, having discolored teeth is just out of your control, but there are a few things that you can do and avoid to keep your chomper bright and white.

Foods to Avoid- Unfortunately, some of the most delicious foods and drinks are the culprits for discolored teeth. Black tea, coffee, red wine, and red and black berries are notorious for staining everything from your white couch and brand-new rug to your placemats and your once-white teeth!

If you can’t give these things up altogether, just be sure to give your teeth a good brush after consuming a highly staining substance.

Tobacco- Add teeth staining to the list of reasons you should give up tobacco.

Brushing and Flossing- Though these are just the basics of oral hygiene, simple brushing and flossing can help to keep teeth-yellowing plaque at bay and consistently work to remove the build-up of stains on your teeth.

In conclusion, there aren’t really any scientifically proven natural products out there that will actually bleach your teeth white. That said, certain practices can really help to whiten your teeth just by removing the build-up of stains.

If you are looking to bleach your teeth using peroxide, you should talk to your dentist about the best course of action for you and your smile.

This article is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Speak to your dentist if you have any questions or concerns. 

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