Home remedies for teeth whitening

Shahnaz Husain *

Everyone desires dazzling white teeth as it adds to our beauty. In fact, with sparkling white teeth, you can meet and greet others with confidence.

When you meet someone, the most natural reaction is to greet them with a smile. It plays an important role in the impression we make on others.

Teeth become darker or yellow with growing age as the outer enamel wears away, and the yellowy dentin underneath becomes more visible.

Maintaining a bright, white smile doesn’t always require expensive treatments or harsh chemicals. Nature provides us with plenty of remedies that can effectively keep our teeth looking their best. Some natural, at-home remedies are safe and can whiten your teeth.

So, here look at some great ways to achieve sparkling white teeth naturally.

1) Baking Soda

Using baking soda is one of the most effective teeth-whitening home remedies. Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, prevents bacteria from growing in your mouth because of its alkaline properties.

Baking soda can gently polish away stains on the surface of the teeth. Its alkaline and coarse nature will mildly scrub stains off your teeth and return your mouth’s PH to normal levels. You can make a simple paste by mixing baking soda with a small amount of water and brushing your teeth with it a few times a week.

Take one tablespoon of baking soda and two tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide. Mix both to make a paste. Use this paste to brush your teeth. Brush your teeth with baking soda mixed with Coconut oil enough to create a paste. This can make good homemade toothpaste.

Mix one teaspoon of baking soda with fresh lemon juice to form a paste. Apply the paste to your toothbrush and gently brush your teeth for about two minutes. Rinse thoroughly with water afterwards. The acidity of the lemon juice can erode the enamel if used excessively

Many toothpastes contain baking soda. You can alternatively sprinkle a little bit of baking soda on your toothbrush before you brush your teeth to help whiten them.

It must be used carefully as its overuse can also erode our tooth enamel; however, besides its benefits, it also has various disadvantages. It can damage your gums if used daily or if left in contact with your teeth for a long time.

Just be sure not to use it too frequently, as excessive abrasion can damage tooth enamel.

2) Oil Pulling

Oil pulling is the term for washing the mouth with oil to remove dirt, bacteria, and debris. Oil pulling is an ancient Ayurvedic remedy practised worldwide to prevent and treat cavities, benefit oral health, improve gums, and whiten teeth. This technique is also meant to improve overall oral health and hygiene.

All you need is 2 tablespoons of coconut oil, sesame oil, or sunflower oil. Pour it in your teeth and swish it for over a few minutes in your mouth along with cool water and then spit it out. For the best results, do this practice daily. Make sure to pull the oil through your teeth and around your gums.

As part of this method, oil is used as a mouthwash. People started using this method thousands of years ago. It is suggested to use this method in the morning.

3) Activated charcoal

Activated charcoal is highly absorbent and can help lift surface stains from the teeth. Charcoal has activated carbon which is known to absorb water impurities. It is also known as a cleansing agent for tooth surfaces that have cracks.

Activated charcoal can remove tannins, which are present in most of the food items we eat.

Mix 1 teaspoon of charcoal powder and a pea-sized amount of toothpaste to make a mixture. Brush your teeth with it. You can do this twice a day or at least once.

Wet your toothbrush and dip it into activated charcoal powder. Brush your teeth gently for 2 minutes. Rinse thoroughly afterwards to remove any residue.

Mix activated charcoal with a small amount of water to make a mouthwash. Swish this solution for 2 minutes and then spit it out. Rinse your mouth thoroughly with water after using activated charcoal.

4) Peels

Peels are also good for getting sparkling white teeth. Just rub the inside of an orange, banana and lemon peel on your teeth for two minutes. Make sure to thoroughly rinse out your mouth and brush your teeth afterwards.

You should repeat this process two to three times a week. After a few weeks, you will be able to see results. Dip your toothbrush in water and then in the orange peel powder. Brush your teeth gently for 2 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with water.

You can also dry the orange peels and grind them into a powder to add it to your daily teeth-cleaning ritual. The peels of these fruits contain citric acid, which theoretically helps in teeth whitening. Banana peels contain manganese, magnesium, and potassium that help whiten your teeth.

If you’re having sensitivity issues, in that case, it’s not recommended to use this remedy.