Over time, the food you eat creates extrinsic stains on the surface of your teeth. This can make your teeth fade to a yellowish color.
And although this is normal, it’s not very attractive.
Unfortunately, professional teeth whitening treatment can cost $500 a visit. That’s why we’ve put together this list of seven homemade teeth whitening remedies that’ll show you results and save you a lot of money.
So let’s get started!
1. Turn to Baking Soda
Baking soda has a strong and natural whitening effect on your teeth. In fact, many commercial brands of toothpaste use baking soda as a main ingredient.
There are several different ways you can use baking soda to lighten the shade of your teeth.
But don’t overuse baking soda. Over time, baking soda can weaken the enamel of your teeth. It’s a good idea to only use baking soda a few times a week.
Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide
Use 3% hydrogen peroxide to make a baking soda paste. Then apply it to your toothbrush and brush your teeth like normal.
This is a strong mixture, so you should use it for three to five days in a row then wait another six months before repeating the treatment.
Baking Soda Mouthwash
Stir one teaspoon of baking soda into a cup of cold water and swish the mixture around your mouth of 30 to 60 seconds. You can do this in the morning and at night.
Baking Soda Paste
If you don’t have any hydrogen peroxide, you can make a baking soda paste with a few drops of water instead. Use this paste the same way you would use normal toothpaste.
But only brush your teeth with this paste twice a week. You should also stop using baking soda right away if you notice any side effects or sensitivity.
Baking Soda and Salt
Like baking soda, salt also has natural whitening properties. You can mix a bit of salt into your water and baking soda paste for some extra whitening power.
But be gentle when you’re brushing with salt. Since salt coarse, you can damage the enamel of your teeth if you use too much pressure.
2. Eat More Strawberries
Strawberries are packed Vitamin C, which can help whiten your teeth.
But on top of that, strawberries also contain an acid called malic acid. This acid is great at removing stains from your teeth, such as wine, coffee, or tobacco. (If you have a lot of trouble with stains, you might want to learn more about how stains form.)
This method also happens to be the tastiest way to whiten your teeth on this list.
All you have to do is mash up a few strawberries into a paste. You can add a teaspoon of baking soda if you want, but the strawberry paste will whiten your teeth on its own.
Rub the paste on your teeth for about five minutes. Then make sure you rinse and floss any remaining seeds away.
3. Switch Your Toothbrush for a Banana Skin
Banana peels contain a lot of minerals that’ll help whiten your teeth. Some of these include magnesium, potassium, and manganese. Like strawberries, banana peels also contain acids that’ll clear up stains.
After brushing your teeth like normal, set your toothbrush aside and grab a fresh banana peel. Rub it over your teeth for at least two minutes. Then rinse out your mouth with water.
4. Brush with Lemon Juice
Lemon juice has strong bleaching properties that can lift the shade of your teeth in a matter of days. But this isn’t a good remedy for people with sensitive teeth. If the lemon juice starts to irritate your mouth, switch to another natural whitening option instead.
Mix enough salt into the lemon juice to make a paste. Then brush your teeth with the mixture for a few minutes (remember to be gentle!).
Once you’re done, rinse your mouth out and brush your teeth immediately after with normal toothpaste. This will help protect the enamel on your teeth.
5. Make Apple Cider Vinegar Toothpaste
Apple cider vinegar will boost the whitening effects of any natural toothpaste.
Before you brush your teeth, mix three parts water with one part apple cider vinegar. Then combine that mixture with your normal toothpaste.
Brush your teeth like normal. If you don’t like the taste of apple cider vinegar, you can rinse your mouth with water afterward.
6. Try Oil Pulling
Oil pulling doesn’t just whiten your teeth, it enhances your overall oral health. And it’s the easiest natural whitening remedy on this list.
Simply take a tablespoon of pure, organic oil—such as coconut oil—and swish it around your mouth like it’s mouthwash. Do your best to suck the oil between your teeth. Keep this up for between 15 to 20 minutes.
When you’re done, spit out the oil and rinse your mouth with water. Once your mouth is clean, drink a few cups of water to help remove any remaining oil.
7. Buy Some Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal has a lot of detoxifying benefits, but it’s also a natural remedy for teeth whitening.
There are two different ways you can use activated charcoal on your teeth.
Start by mixing a small amount into your regular toothpaste and brushing like normal. If you don’t like mixing the two together, you can also use water to turn the charcoal into a paste.
Put it on your teeth and let it sit for two minutes. Rinse your teeth with water to clean them off when you’re done.
Homemade Teeth Whitening Remedies That’ll Get You Results Fast
If you want to lighten the color of your teeth but don’t want to spend the money on professional treatment, these homemade teeth whitening remedies will show you results fast. You can transform your smile in just a few short weeks.
Want to learn some other helpful health tips?
Make sure you check out the rest of our blog!
