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Natural Ways to Bleach Teeth

Very few people are blessed with sparkling white teeth, and many more watch their teeth slowly fade to a dreary yellow shade as they sip coffees and smoke. Chemical teeth whiteners are expensive and can leave teeth sensitive and achy. Some at-home remedies are dangerous and can strip away the protective enamel encasing the teeth. Fortunately, there are several inexpensive and safe, natural remedies for polishing your pearly soon-to-be-whites.

  1. Veggie Scrubbers

    • Make dietary changes by incorporating rough, crunchy vegetables into your daily menu. Carrots, celery, cucumbers, broccoli, radishes and fennel are tough vegetables that also are good for the digestive system. When bitten and chewed, these vegetables scrub teeth and can remove external stains through abrasion. For the best results, eat these vegetables raw at the peak of their freshness. These vegetables also have low sugar content that can cause tooth decay. Try to eat other foods such as cereal and grains before they become soggy so that you can benefit from the extra scrubbing power.

    Fruits

    • Crush strawberries into a fine paste and mix with a small amount of baking soda. The small seeds will act as natural scrubbers, and the malic acid in the berries will eat away at stains. Do not let this paste sit on the teeth for more than 15 minutes as the acid can wear down the enamel. Brush carefully with toothpaste afterward. Grind orange peels and baking soda into a similar paste. Fresh lemon juice can be rubbed onto the teeth to remove some stains, but as this juice is extremely acidic, it should be rinsed off shortly after using. On the flip side, avoid eating color-saturated fruits such as blueberries and cherries on a daily basis as they can stain teeth over time.

    Baking Soda

    • Mix baking soda with coarse sea salt and a small amount of water to form a thick paste. Brush your teeth with the paste using a soft-bristle toothbrush to remove stains, kill bacteria and neutralize acids that eat away at the enamel. This paste can be used in place of regular toothpaste, and it can be flavored with a few drops of peppermint oil for a better taste.

    Hydrogen Peroxide

    • Substitute hydrogen peroxide for store-bought mouthwash and rinse three to four times per day. Mix 3/4 tbsp. of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide in 1/2 cup of water and swish for up to one minute. The peroxide can be further diluted with water to reduce irritation, though it should never be swallowed. Rinse with water to lower the chances of gum sensitivity and irritation. Unlike many other superficial natural whitening systems, hydrogen peroxide targets stains on the enamel and the dentin, the fleshy layer of the tooth just below the outer surface.

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