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Inexpensive Ways to Whiten Teeth

According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, teeth whitening ranks as dental patients' most requested cosmetic service. In addition to in-office treatments, Americans spend more than $1.4 billion annually on home kits to help brighten smiles, writes Diane Mapes on MSNBC.com. The path to whiter teeth doesn't have to be an expensive journey, however, as common products found in the pantry or refrigerator, as well as affordable at-home treatments, also do the job.

  1. Strawberries

    • Karina Timmel reports on Health.com that some foods can help whiten teeth naturally. Adina Carrel, a dentist in private practice at Manhattan Dental Arts in New York, notes that strawberries have acidic properties that can help whiten the enamel on teeth. A mixture of strawberries and baking soda proves effective for teeth whitening, but Carrel cautions against using it more than once a week, as the acid may wear away the enamel.

    Baking Soda

    • Baking soda has long served as a natural teeth whitener, explains the Whiten Teeth Source website, but it can be abrasive to the enamel on teeth and/or cause tooth sensitivity, so the site recommends using it just once per month. Applying normal toothpaste to a toothbrush before dipping it into the baking soda will improve the taste, but it's most effective to mix the baking soda with water, to make a paste. Mouthwash can help rinse out the sour taste afterward.

    Rinses

    • Whitening rinses, WebMD explains, contain typical mouthwash ingredients that help reduce plaque and gum disease, plus hydrogen peroxide to brighten teeth. While they are priced similarly to mouthwashes, rinses aren't as effective as other over-the-counter treatments, some experts say. Also, manufacturers indicate that it could take 12 weeks of use to see results.

    Strips

    • For about $20, home kits whiten teeth in as little as two weeks. Some kits require application twice a day, but the results can last up to four months, according to WebMD. The kits contain whitening strips coated with a hydrogen peroxide gel and designed to fit snugly over the teeth. Mapes cautions that strips, while discreet and easy to use, are less effective than in-office methods for removing stains between teeth, and don't work well for crooked teeth.

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