5 Natural DIY Solutions For Teeth Whitening

The most common teeth-staining things we do are drinking wine, soda, coffee, and smoking. Many people opt to visit the dentist to help get rid of teeth staining and discoloration. But going to the dentist isn’t right for everyone. Many people prefer using home remedies for whitening their teeth because it’s cheaper, more comfortable for them, or more natural.

Luckily, there are some well-known solutions for natural DIY teeth whitening using household items like lemons, baking powder, etc. One note though – teeth whitening is not a one-time thing, but something you need to do regularly to achieve good results. Natural solutions like the ones we’ll discuss below may be better for people who are wary of artificial teeth whiteners.

With that said, let’s explore five natural DIY solutions to whiten your teeth at home.

1. Lemon juice and baking powder

For our first DIY recipe, mix one teaspoon of baking soda and juice from one lemon. Mix them up using your toothbrush. Finally, scoop up the resulting mixture with your toothbrush and apply gently.

Alternatively, you can use a cotton ball to gently scrub your teeth.

One warning – lemon juice is highly acidic and can break down the enamel covering on your teeth. Don’t use this scrub more than once per week.

2. Coconut oil

Using oil is a safe and healthy method of whitening your teeth. Coconut oil has lauric acid, which kills the plaque bacteria that can turn teeth yellow. Coconut oil can therefore help keep your breath fresh and improve gum health.

How to do it: Before you start brushing, place some coconut oil into your mouth. Swish it around for about 20 minutes and spit it out. Then, brush your teeth and rinse.

3. Banana peel scrub

Banana peels contain magnesium, manganese, and potassium minerals. When you apply and absorb these minerals into your teeth, this can cause a whitening effect.

How to do it: Take a fresh banana peel and rub the fleshy side against your teeth. Do this for about three minutes, then brush.

4. Strawberry, salt, and baking soda scrub

Strawberries contain vitamin C which helps to break down plaque. Strawberries also have enzymes that help dissolve surface stains. The most prominent enzyme that helps with surface stains is malic acid.

To use this method, start by cutting at least three strawberries into a cup and mash them up. Add one tablespoon of sea salt and baking soda and mix together into a scrub-like substance. Scoop up the mixture with your toothbrush, leave it for about five minutes, and then brush gently.

One note of caution – strawberries contain a high concentration of acid which can break down your tooth enamel, so don’t use this scrub more than once a week.

5. Taking foods that cannot stain your teeth

The dentists at Ortho Center Hong Kong recommend that people avoid teeth-staining foods and drinks as much as possible. If you have to drink soda or coffee, do so with a straw so the liquid doesn’t come into contact with your smile.

In addition to drinks, your food choices can help prevent teeth staining. Eating citrus fruits helps generate more saliva that can help in removing stains. Consider eating carrots, celery, and apples after your meal as these fruits and veggies help reduce teeth stains organically. Also, consider eating crunchy foods to assist in getting rid of chemical substances and glucose. These foods will help in reducing your teeth from staining.

Conclusion

We hope you found these DIY teeth whitening solutions helpful. Creating scrubs using household items like baking powder, banana peels, coconut oil, and strawberries can help remove stains. You can also ward off future staining by avoiding smoking, coffee, and soda.

Everyone is different and their bodies react differently too. When possible, note your allergies and consult your dentist before applying any new solution to your teeth.