Everyone loves a bright and beautiful smile. Many people schedule regular dentist visits to get their teeth whitened and cleaned. Some of the most popular teeth whitening procedures include polishing and bleaching.However, these procedures can be costly and require a few visits to the dentist before you can see the results. On the other hand, various household items can be used to whiten your teeth. Here are some inexpensive remedies can help you save significant amounts of money on teeth whitening.

image

Add some baking soda to your teeth whitening formula

Baking soda is not only affordable, but it is also easy to apply. Wet your toothbrush and roll the bristles on some baking soda. Go ahead and brush your teeth like you normally do. The mixture creates a paste that acts as a gentle cleanser.The cleanser reaches crevices and spaces on the enamel getting rid of the stains and plaque. Baking soda controls the PH of the oral cavity reducing the unhealthy bacteria responsible for gum disease and tooth decay.

Making homemade trays

Sometimes our teeth do not whiten even after using special toothpaste with whitening agents. Dentists often whiten teeth by filling a tray with bleaching products and placing it in your mouth for about 20 minutes.You can make the tray at home by wrapping a sheet of aluminum foil around your teeth. Remove the wrapper and fill it with baking powder paste. Ensure the treatment is in contact with the tooth enamel.Keep the tray in place for 30 minutes, then remove, and brush your teeth. Repeat the process at least twice a week until you achieve the desired white color.

Spruce up your smile with hydrogen peroxide

Mix one teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide and a tablespoon of baking soda and use the mixture to brush your teeth. Peroxide is a bleaching agent and is safe for whitening the teeth although some people find the taste a bit off.If you do not like the taste of hydrogen peroxide, mix minimal amounts of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda then add a teaspoon of minty mouthwash. Whatever you do, make sure you do not swallow the solution because it will cause you to throw up.Hydrogen peroxide helps to get rid of odor in the mouth caused by bacteria build up. Therefore, it does not only whiten your teeth, but it also helps protect your teeth from cavities and related bad breath problems.

Review: Make sure you check out our review of Teeth Whitening 4 You

Wipe the stains away with coconut oil

image

Oil pulling is a popular teeth-whitening solution. While some apply the oil after brushing, others use oil pulling to brush their teeth. One of the advantages of oil pulling is that it produces results within a short period.Put a spoonful of coconut oil in your mouth and swish it around for about 20 minutes. Alternatively, add a few drops of coconut oil on your toothbrush and use it to brush your teeth.You may also, take a clean washcloth, add a few drops of the oil, and use it to polish your teeth. Coconut oil has antimicrobial properties, which detoxify your system and help clean your gums.

Click here to get your free jar of coconut oil from Thrive Market.

Play around with natural acids

Citric acid breaks down the stains found on the teeth. Fruits such as oranges and lemons can be used to whiten the teeth. To clean the teeth's surface, use lemon juice as a mouth wash.If the solution is strong, add water to it. You can dip your toothbrush in lemon juice then brush your teeth.

Apple cider vinegar goes a long way

Studies indicate that consistent use of apple cider vinegar not only whitens your teeth but also cleanses the gum. Remove stubborn stains from caffeine and nicotine by swishing ACV in your mouth for a few minutes.A few swishing sessions will leave your teeth looking like they are from a professional cleaning. However be careful because acids are known to corrode the enamel layer. Once you have cleaned your teeth with AVC, rinse your mouth with water.

Buy on Amazon: Bragg Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar

Coat your teeth with activated charcoal

People often wonder how something so black like charcoal can make teeth white. After reading some testimonials on activated charcoal, I decided to consult a holistic dentist I knew. He advised me to try it and in a few weeks, I had sparkly white teeth.However, you may want to stay away from the mirror while coating your teeth with activated charcoal because it can be a bit terrifying. If you are using activated charcoal tablets, crush the coal, run it through a wet toothbrush, and brush your teeth. Now, contrary to what you think, it will not stain your teeth further.Rinse your teeth well and you will start seeing changes after a few days. If you are using the powdered version, dip your toothbrush into the powder and brush your teeth.Coat your teeth with activated charcoal and leave it for a few minutes to bind the stains. Keep a washcloth nearby to make cleanup easy. Make sure you use activated charcoal and not the regular barbecue charcoal.Initially, when I started using it, I was pregnant, and because I knew the importance of oral health during pregnancy I decided to consult my doctor, and he gave me a go-ahead to use the teeth whitener. Although activated charcoal is safe for pregnant women, it is important to consult your doctor before using it.Activated charcoal absorbs tannins, which are responsible for staining the teeth. It is an effective remedy for cavities and tooth decay.

Recommended Product: Coal-Conut - Activated Shell Charcoal

Strawberries because Catherine Zeta-Jones says so

image

Over the years, Catherine Zeta-Jones has been known to use strawberries as a teeth whitener. I tested this theory after watching an episode of Oprah. I made a strawberry mash and rubbed the mixture over my teeth.Well since Oprah has white teeth already, trying it out for myself helped me see its efficiency, and yes, it works. For others, it works instantly while for some after a few tries. Ensure you rinse well afterward.

Clean up your teeth with turmeric

You may not expect turmeric to work since it is often associated with yellowing of the skin, but it works very well. Sprinkle turmeric on a wet toothbrush, brush your teeth, and rinse thoroughly.

Eat your way to white teeth

Remember those dentist charts that encourage people to eat fruits and vegetables to prevent diseases? Well, those charts forgot to mention that fruits and vegetables can help whiten your teeth and make them much stronger. Eating carrots, celery, and apples not only strengthens the teeth, but it also whitens them.Chewing crunchy fruits and vegetables helps to scrub the teeth and remove harmful bacteria from the surface of the teeth. In addition, the acids contained in the fruits and vegetables help to remove food particles and keep the teeth pearl white.Eating healthy foods is one the best ways to reduce those visits to the dentist while maintaining the color of your teeth.

Do you have whiter teeth yet?

Overall, the best way to preserve the color of your teeth is by brushing after every meal and observing good dental hygiene practices. Floss your teeth regularly to get rid of food debris and to clean the spaces between your teeth that are not easily accessible by a brush.Brush after meals. This can be difficult especially if you spend most of your time outdoors. However, if you often drink coffee or smoke, you are at a greater risk of having discolored teeth. Therefore, if you make a habit of brushing your teeth after meals you will keep the stains away. This video tutorial below will guide you on the best way to brush your teeth after meals.