There are several products that you can choose from when considering to whiten your teeth. But, most of these teeth whitening products utilize chemicals to whiten the teeth, which is a concern to most individuals. If you want to whiten your teeth and also avoid chemicals, this article highlights various options that are both safe and natural.
What is the cause of stains on teeth?
Several factors make teeth to lose their bright, white color. Various foods can cause staining on your enamel – the external surface of the teeth. Also, plaque develops on the teeth, which can result in teeth yellowing. That type of discoloration can be remedied using various whitening and cleaning corrective measures.
Here are some of the ways that you can use to whiten your teeth naturally:
1. Preventing teeth stains before they develop
Although your teeth usually become yellow as you grow old, some elements can assist in preventing your teeth from staining.
Consume a lot of Calcium in your food
Your teeth might discolor as a result of enamel eroding, which exposes the enamel underneath – it is naturally yellow. So, consuming foods that are rich in Calcium like broccoli, cheese, and milk can assist in strengthening the enamel and protect it against erosion.
Reduce your intake of sugar
If you want your teeth to become whiter, minimize your consumption of sugar. Diets that contain high sugar content support the growth of bacteria that cause gingivitis and plaque. So, ensure that you brush your teeth soon after consuming sugary food.
Reduce staining beverages and foods
Dark berries, soda, red wine, and coffee are examples of foods that cause teeth staining. That does not mean you must avoid them completely, but it is advisable to reduce the time of contact of these foods and beverages with your teeth.
If you can, you should take beverages that are known for staining teeth using a straw to prevent them from contacting your teeth directly. Also, ensure that you brush your teeth after taking those beverages or foods to minimize their impacts on the teeth.
Also, avoid chewing tobacco and smoking as they are also causes of teeth discoloration.
2. Eat Vegetables and Fruits
Diets that are high in vegetables and fruits might be useful for your teeth and body. While they are not substitutes to brushing the teeth, raw vegetables and fruits can assist you in rubbing plaque from teeth when chewing.
Pineapple and strawberries are two fruits that can assist in whitening your teeth. Studies show that toothpaste with bromelain, an enzyme contained in pineapples, is considerably more efficient in the removal of stains from teeth than regular toothpaste.
Using a mixture of strawberries and baking soda to whiten your teeth is a remedy that has been popularized by celebrities. The malic acid contained in strawberries assists in removing stains on your enamel, and the baking soda buffs away the stains. Strawberries help exfoliate teeth and ensures they look whiter, and they are less likely to deposit stains on your teeth.
3. Utilize Apple Cider Vinegar
Individuals have been utilizing apple cider vinegar for years as a natural cleaning product and disinfectant. The product contains acetic acid as its primary active product, and it helps in killing bacteria. Therefore, the vinegar has an antibacterial property that makes it a useful product for whitening your teeth and cleaning your mouth.
Research proved that apple cider vinegar has a bleaching effect through an experiment that used cow teeth. However, acetic acid can erode the enamel and thus not recommended for daily consumption. Therefore, you should minimize the time the apple cider vinegar remains in contact with your teeth.
4. Utilize Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide acts as a natural bleaching agent that assists in killing bacteria in the mouth. People have been using it for decades as a wound disinfectant because of its antibacterial properties. Most commercial products for whitening teeth have hydrogen peroxide, although with different concentrations than the one you will use.
Research shows that toothpaste that contains 1% hydrogen peroxide and baking soda results in considerably whiter teeth.
5. Use Baking Soda
Baking soda is a natural whitening product and is a common ingredient in commercial toothpaste. It is a mild scrubber that can assist in scrubbing away stains from teeth. Also, it develops a basic environment in your mouth, which protects against the growth of bacteria in your mouth.
This remedy will not whiten your teeth overnight, but the difference should be noticed over time. A high concentration of baking soda causes a more significant whitening effect on your teeth, thus more effective in removing stains.
6. Make Oil Pulling a Routine
Oil pulling is an ancient Indian remedy for removing toxins from your body and improving oral hygiene. This practice involves gaggling oil in your moth to get rid of bacteria that cause plaque and teeth yellowing.
Coconut oil is a standard option due to its pleasant taste and many health benefits. It contains high concentrations of lauric acid, which kills bacteria and reduces inflammation. This method is good as it does not expose the teeth to ingredients like acid that corrode the enamel.
Conclusion
Many natural remedies that can assist in whitening your teeth exist. Most of them function by gently removing stains on the surface stains of your teeth. But, most cosmetic dentists near me provide stronger whitening remedies than natural remedies. These products entail bleaching your teeth, which might be more efficient for individuals with severe tooth discoloration. Overusing any whitening product can cause damage to your teeth. So, always check with a cosmetic dentist near you to get your options and what works best for you.
