Three Natural Ways to Get Whiter Teeth at Home

The most common complaint we get about teeth is how people wish their teeth were whiter. The quickest way to get whiter teeth is to have them whitened by your local dentist for an average cost of $450-$600. However, due to this high cost, it’s just not an option for many people. Luckily there are several ways to get whiter teeth through the use of home remedies! There are three natural ways to get whiter teeth: apple cider vinegar, hydrogen peroxide with baking soda, and coconut oil.  

Apple Cider Vinegar

Something you may not know about this ingredient is that it has natural whitening capabilities. If you did already know this, are you using it effectively? Apple cider vinegar is highly acidic, almost as much as battery acid. So using it too often, or at the wrong times, can cause more damage than good. When using apple cider vinegar, you should not apply it more than three times a week. The acid can be good at breaking down stains and plaque on the teeth, but using it too often can wear away tooth enamel. If you do wish to use it daily, it’s best to dilute the vinegar with water and then rinse it over your teeth. After rinsing, wait 30 minutes before brushing your teeth, because the bristles on your toothbrush can damage the enamel while it is still softened by the acid. With this regimen, you should start to see results within a month. When using apple cider vinegar, you should not apply it more than three times a week. The acid can be good at breaking down stains and plaque on the teeth, but using it too often can wear away tooth enamel. If you do wish to use it daily, it’s best to dilute the vinegar with water and then rinse it over your teeth. After rinsing, wait 30 minutes before brushing your teeth, because the bristles on your toothbrush can damage the enamel while it is still softened by the acid. With this regimen, you should start to see results within a month.  

Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda

An oldie but a goodie, this classic recipe for a stain removing paste is a sure way to get your teeth whiter. However, like the apple cider vinegar, this should NOT be applied more than three times a week. To make the paste, take two tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide plus one tablespoon of baking soda and stir them together in a bowl. Make sure the paste isn’t too gritty, you can thin it out with more hydrogen peroxide. Brush it onto your teeth, and then let it sit for a minute before rinsing. This time allows it to break down the stain-causing molecules. Making sure to not apply the paste too often, and keeping up with a regular oral hygiene routine, can help brighten and restore your smile.  

Coconut Oil

If the above two remedies don’t work for you, then you can try coconut oil. It’s still not clear whether or not there’s any actual benefit, but coconut oil is held by many as means of teeth whitening. Take a tablespoon of oil and swish it around in your mouth, making sure to cover all of your teeth. The fatty membranes of bacteria cells will adhere to the fatty oil, and will leave your mouth when you rinse out the coconut oil. You want to rinse until the solution becomes a foggy white; this means that the solution has successfully pulled the bacteria off the teeth. There are also certain rules you should follow while adhering to this regimen:  
  • Do not swallow the solution. It’s best to spit it out and start again, you don’t want to swallow the bacteria that adhere to the coconut oil.
  • Swish gently because may take time to for the oil to fully clean the teeth.
  • Be sure to spit into a trash can because the oil will build up in the plumbing of sinks and toilets.
  • Be sure to rinse out the coconut oil before drinking anything afterwards. Again, you don’t want to swallow the bacteria that cling to the coconut oil.
  Finally, remember that none these are meant to be used as substitutes for regular check-ups with your dentist!