Here is a list of several organic ways to whiten teeth. An alternative to teeth bleaching products you can find in drugstores or treatments your dentist can provide, they will do the job without the invasive chemicals involved and of course, for much less money. What have you got to lose?
1. Turmeric as a stain remover.
A very yellow spice that gives color to mustard, turmeric is surprisingly also used to remove the yellow from the surface of your teeth. The recipe says you should douse your wet toothbrush into 1/8 teaspoon of turmeric powder, brush your teeth as usual but only rinse after letting the turmeric set on your teeth for three to five minutes. After rinsing thoroughly, brush for the second time using your regular toothpaste. You may have to use soap to clean the residuals of turmeric from the corners of your mouth. As an entirely organic ingredient, turmeric is safe to use on a daily basis. Results will be visible after several days of consistent use at most or sometimes, even after the very first use. Turmeric might ruin your toothbrush in the process by coloring it irreversibly but even after replacing it, you will still come out cheaper than with teeth bleaching.
2. Coconut oil, as a paste or a rinse.
An alternative to brushing with powdered turmeric alone, you can mix a turmeric toothpaste sing 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder and 1/8 coconut oil. Also let it sit for three to five minutes before rinsing, followed by a regular second brushing using your usual toothpaste. Results will be visible after several days of consistent use or even after the very first use. A tablespoon of coconut oil works as a rinse which is necessary to swish around in your mouth for ten to fifteen minutes, according to everydayroots.com. Rinse and brush your teeth afterwards.
3. Baking soda with lemon juice.
This mix of two ingredients famous for their bleaching properties will take slight caution on your part – if in contact with your teeth for too long, baking soda can cause pain to your gums and damage your enamel. Add enough lemon juice to several teaspoons of baking soda to make a paste, apply generously to your teeth and leave in for a minute before rinsing. (If only adding water to the baking soda, you may leave in up to three minutes.)
4. Baking soda, strawberry and salt as tooth scrub.
This scrub can be used with or without the baking soda – your choice. The salt literally scrubs away the surface stains on your teeth while the vitamin C and malic acid properties of strawberries attack the yellow stains already set in the surface of your teeth. Mashing up to three large strawberries with a pinch of sea salt (and 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda, if you wish), apply generously to your teeth and leave in for five minutes. Rinse thoroughly. This scrub is recommended for use on a nightly basis.
In addition, you should know when you whiten teeth…
According to Colgate, not all teeth bleaching products are invasive. There is a variety of bleaching kits available which you can use at home over a longer period of time as opposed to a single bleaching treatment at your dentist’s office. Since coffee, cigarettes and soda are some of the most common causes of yellow teeth, it is recommended to drink them through a straw in order to prevent future teeth staining. Even though these methods will likely not withen teeth instantly (a.k.a., after a single application), they are still much more economical. Featured photo credit: Antonio Guillem via shutterstock.com
