If you drink a lot of coffee, you probably have noticed how it has discolored your teeth. And as you already know, a white smile is a good indicator of strong and healthy teeth. In turn, it boosts confidence and self-esteem. However, the cost to achieve white teeth can be significant. White strips and bleaching sacrifices enamel strength for a whiter smile. Because of it, there’s a rise in natural home remedies to whiten your teeth. Here are four solutions to try.
Baking Soda
The same stuff that eliminates odors from refrigerators and drains are effective in cleaning teeth and preventing bad breath. The product is abrasive enough to scrub away stains and kill mouth bacteria, but the results aren’t immediate. Make a baking soda paste with 1 tablespoon of baking soda and 2 tablespoons of water. An easier solution is to purchase toothpaste with baking soda included. A second baking soda paste option is mixing 1 tablespoon baking soda with 2 tablespoons hydrogen peroxide. You can purchase hydrogen peroxide at drugstores. Other acceptable baking soda combinations are baking soda and lemon juice and baking soda, salt, and strawberry.
Apple Cider Vinegar
This salad dressing option is a natural cleaning and bacteria-killing product. The vinegar’s acetic acid bleaches stained teeth while the vinegar’s antibacterial component kills bacteria. Pour apple cider vinegar in a cup. Treat it like mouthwash by adding some into the mouth and swishing it around. Spit it out, and then rinse the mouth out with water. Follow the same procedure as the vinegar.
Coconut Oil
A common cooking oil, hair ingredient, and skin moisturizer are great for teeth. Coconut oil reduces teeth discoloration and reduces plaque buildup. Specifically, lauric acid removes plaque bacteria that cause teeth discoloration. Additionally, coconut oil freshens breath and improves gum health. Like apple cider vinegar, use coconut oil as a mouthwash. Just grab a teaspoon or tablespoon of coconut oil, put it in your mouth, and pull/swish it until the teeth are coated. Spit it out, rinse the mouth with water, and spit the water out.
Fruits
Chow down on fruits to scrub off coffee stains. Apples and strawberries offer temporary whitening solutions due to their acidic backgrounds. Strawberries whiten teeth with ascorbic acid; apples whiten teeth with malic acid. Pineapples, however, contains a bromelain enzyme that removes tooth stains.
These products are effective in whitening teeth without harsh chemicals. However, the side effects of relying on home remedies exist. Avoid the risk by reducing these home remedies to no more than three times a week. As always, contact a dental professional at a dental clinic about these options before using any home remedy.
