Getting a whiter smile doesn’t mean having to sit underneath the bright lights at the dentist’s office, there are plenty of teeth whitening techniques you can do from home. Rather than spending big bucks, whitening teeth at home is cost effective. Here are 5 ways to whiten your teeth that are way easier than pulling teeth!
Start by Stopping
The best place to start for whitening teeth at home is to control what comes into contact with your teeth in the first place! All the professional whitening in the world won’t help much if you diet is all soda and cigarettes. Lessening, or better yet stopping altogether, any soda consumption or smoking will go a long way to brightening that smile. Other things to avoid while teeth whitening are red wine and coffee. Dark, acidic beverages wear away the enamel on our teeth over time and stain teeth.
Oil Pulling
This one might sound strange, but it’s an old folk remedy that is starting to pick up in terms of popularity. The basic idea is that by swishing oil around in the mouth, harmful bacterial and build ups are washed away. Here’s how it works:
- First pick your oil. Most people go with coconut oil as it has natural anti-inflammatory properties that will help your gums. Any other culinary oil will work.
- Take a swig of the oil and swish it around in your mouth. Make sure to “pull” the oil between your teeth.
- Spit the oil out, but not into the sink! Oil can turn solid at lower temperatures and that can, in turn, clog your pipes. Make sure to spit the used oil into a trashcan or other receptacle.
Brush with Baking Soda
Baking soda isn’t just for cooking. It’s also great for whitening teeth at home. Using baking soda for teeth whitening is pretty easy and effective. Just mix a 1:2 ratio of baking soda with water and brush like normal. Try 1 teaspoon of baking soda mixed into 2 teaspoons of water for starters. It should form a thick paste that resembles, you guessed it, toothpaste! There are even toothpastes that come with baking soda already mixed in, but this is a much higher concentration. Baking soda not only whitens teeth, but it also helps keep the bacteria in your mouth in check.
Diet Matters
What you eat has a big impact on the health of your teeth. As our first tip suggests, what goes into your mouth can stain your teeth, but it can also help keep them bright and shining. Try to eat more fresh fruits as they have natural cleaning properties that can help keep your mouth feeling fresh and your teeth from staining. Besides, they’re pretty good for you anyway!
Brush Your Teeth
This last tip might be a shocker, but good dental hygiene is the best way to keep your teeth clean. Regular brushing and flossing is the foundation of a whiter smile. It’s as simple as that!
Follow these 5 steps for a naturally whiter smile all from the comfort of your own home.