Home Remedies That Support Your Dentist’s Recommendations
Are you frustrated with a yellow smile, but can’t quite spring for professional teeth whitening services yet? That’s okay! We appreciate that patients might be hesitant to spend money on what can seem like a purely cosmetic service. Thankfully, there are a few DIY home options that can help.
While they’re no substitute for expert services, there are several natural remedies you can try at home. If you’re not ready to try professional whitening, try a few of these home remedies first. However, consult with your dentist and always take good care of your teeth with regular flossing, brushing, and checkups. If you maintain good oral hygiene and a healthy lifestyle, you may see better results with these natural teeth whitening tips.
Always Brush After Eating & Drinking
While this sounds like a lot of work, once you get in the habit of brushing after meals, it will seem second-nature. Bring a toothbrush with you to work, school, and anywhere else you may need to brush.
When it comes to eating, drinking, and other lifestyle habits, try to avoid the following to prevent your teeth from staining—and if you can’t avoid these, visit your dentist regularly for a cleaning:
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- Smoking,
- Coffee,
- Tea,
- Soda,
- Junk food,
- Red wine, and,
- Dark fruits and berries.
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Apple Cider Vinegar
This natural antibiotic contains acetic acid, potassium, magnesium, probiotics, and enzymes to whiten teeth, kill bad bacteria, and promote the growth of good bacteria. To see optimal results, rub apple cider vinegar on your teeth for a minute every day for a month, making sure to brush right after, or rinse well with water or a hydrogen peroxide rinse.
Baking Soda Whitening
You can create a toothpaste by mixing a small amount of hydrogen peroxide with baking soda to remove plaque responsible for discoloured teeth. Make sure the paste is runny and not grainy, since a rough texture may remove enamel. Floss and brush your teeth as normal, then rub this paste on your teeth for 30 seconds and rinse thoroughly.
Citrus Peels
The acids in lemons and oranges can help whiten teeth, so using the essential oils from the peels is a natural (and tasty) remedy. However, like apple cider vinegar, these fruits are highly acidic, so you need to brush or rinse well after rubbing the peels on your teeth.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is a remedy for a variety of health problems thanks to its antimicrobial properties. People even use coconut oil to whiten their teeth and improve overall gum and tooth health. Here’s how:
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- Oil Pulling—swish a spoonful of coconut oil between your teeth for 5 to 20 minutes;
- Brushing—brush your teeth with coconut oil after regular brushing; or,
- Rubbing—with a clean washcloth, rub coconut oil on your teeth after regular brushing.
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Since you may already have some of these ingredients at home, you can try these teeth whitening tips at little or no cost. Just make sure to consult with your dentist first, eat a healthy balanced diet, and maintain good oral hygiene with regular flossing, brushing, checkups, and cleanings. With this care, you may be pleasantly surprised to find that one of your favourite foods or ingredients is also effective for whitening your teeth.
