4 Natural Remedies To Whiten Your Teeth & Freshen Your Breath

Looking after your oral hygiene should be an essential part of your health regime. Perhaps you brush and floss your teeth regularly, but you’re still having issues with stained teeth? Teeth can become stained for many reasons; it might be due to the foods you eat, inadequate brushing, or simply age-related causes. The dentin in our teeth naturally becomes more yellow over time. What’s more, the enamel that covers our teeth becomes thinner. Both of these factors can cause the teeth to become discolored.

Maybe you’re not too keen on chemical teeth-whitening, and you’re looking for natural options? Luckily for you, there are several things you can do to keep your teeth pearly white!

1. Trying oil pulling

According to a study in the National Library Of Medicine, ‘Oil pulling using coconut oil could be an effective adjuvant procedure in decreasing plaque formation and plaque-induced gingivitis.’ So what exactly is oil pulling? Oil pulling means using oil to wash the mouth; the practice is intended to get rid of debris, bacteria, and dirt. Washing your mouth with oil may also be helpful to whiten your teeth. To try oil pulling, you could use sesame oil, sunflower oil, or coconut oil.

2. Use baking soda

Sodium bicarbonate, or baking soda, is a type of salt made with sodium cation and bicarbonate anion. The original form is a crystalline white solid, yet it’s usually sold as a fine powder. Baking soda is commonly used to make baked goods, and it is also used as a DIY cleaning solution.

Brushing your teeth with baking soda can get rid of stains, prevent decay, and reduce plaque. It’s advisable to use only a pea-sized amount of baking soda on your toothbrush. You can brush with baking soda alone or mix with your regular toothpaste. You’ll find that some brands of toothpaste already contain baking soda.

3. Focus on your diet

Probably the easiest way to keep your teeth white is to focus on your diet. You should avoid foods and drinks which can stain your teeth, including wine, coffee, dark juices, or sodas. Dark-colored foods, including tomato sauces, curries, and soy sauce, can also stain your teeth.

It’s not just dark-colored foods that you need to worry about; acidic foods can damage your tooth enamel, leaving your teeth looking yellow. Acidic foods include grapefruits, oranges, pickles, and candy. Limit your consumption of these kinds of foods and ensure that you brush your teeth right after eating them.

Besides this, giving up smoking will ensure that you are not left with yellow nicotine stains. Some evidence suggests that activated charcoal may be effective at eliminating these types of stains.

4. Natural remedies to freshen your breath

Once your teeth are looking nice and white, it’s time to try a few natural remedies to freshen your breath. There are plenty of options to choose from, including:

• Saltwater: One of the easiest ways to freshen your breath is to rinse your mouth with saltwater. Add salt to a warm water and mix the solution. Next, swish it around inside your mouth for at least 20 seconds. You can repeat this process a few times for maximum effectiveness!
• Apple cider vinegar: Using apple cider vinegar is one of the best ways to get rid of unwanted odors! Simply add some apple cider vinegar to a glass of water and then wash your mouth out using the solution. It’s the best natural mouthwash to freshen your breath in no time.
• Tea tree oil: Another great remedy for fresh breath, tea tree oil helps to banish bacteria that leads to odors. Add a drop of tea tree oil to your toothpaste or brush your teeth with a mix of oil and water. Be sure only to use a drop or two, anymore will be too strong. Tea tree oil is also an antiseptic so it’s a great choice for your natural medicine cupboard.

Further options

Perhaps you’ve tried all the remedies and whitening solutions out there, and you’re still having stained teeth problems? In this case, you might consider trying some clip-on veneers to improve your smile. Clip-on veneers are less expensive than regular dental veneers. These are the perfect solution to enhance your smile, whether your teeth are chipped, broken, or discolored.

To help you to take even better care of your teeth, check out apps such as Text2Floss. The app offers handy reminders and tips, plus a search feature for dental care providers.