Teeth Whitening at Home: 11 Ways for Natural Teeth Whitening

Oral hygiene and health is a key part of wellbeing, but it is quite common for many to neglect this. As such, problems like tooth decay and gum disease may surface regularly and many conditions are accompanied by the occurrence of stained teeth. Discolouration of the teeth should be seen as the first sign of a potential dental problem and poor oral hygiene. Moreover, stained or yellow teeth can also dampen the aesthetic of your smile. Thankfully, the solution can be quite simple and you can carry out teeth whitening at home too!

However, before you attempt to turn yellow teeth into white, it is important to identify the reason for the discolouration. Otherwise, your efforts at performing dental bleaching could cause further problems. In most cases, stained teeth are caused due to a few factors, which can be:

• Chronic dry mouth
• Tobacco consumption
• Side effects of medication
• Genetics
• Dietary imbalance
• Age
• Mouth trauma

Based on the cause, choose the best teeth whitening treatment for yourself. It may also be wise to consult a specialist for a more guided approach. However, if you’re certain of the cause and are sure that home care is the best option, here are 12 ways to do teeth whitening at home.

Steer clear of sugary foods

Sugary foods are known to cause dullness in the teeth and promote bacterial growth. A high-sugar diet facilitates the growth of the streptococcus mutans bacteria, which is known to cause plaque. If you’re trying to clean teeth at home and naturally whiten them, start by reducing the cause of stained teeth by decreasing your consumption of sugar-based foods.

Brush and floss regularly

When it comes to whitening your teeth, you should note that plaque build-up is a major cause of stained teeth. As such, oral hygiene is of key importance if you want long-term results. You must regularly brush and floss your teeth as this removes stains over time and keeps bacteria from growing. What’s more, brushing and flossing properly is just as crucial, so it is well worth asking a professional for guidance.

Eat papaya and pineapple

Whitening teeth with fruit has some promise, as per a study conducted in 2012. The enzymes bromelain and papain found in the pineapple and papaya fruits work to that effect. However, despite this is being a safe route to opt for, it is wise to seek professional counsel beforehand, to ascertain the effectiveness of such methods.

Increase calcium intake

As teeth erode, the dentin gets exposed, which is yellow in colour. To avoid this, strengthen the tooth enamel by consuming calcium-rich foods like milk and broccoli. This principle of supplementing calcium also applies to other whitening methods, so note the importance of this mineral.

Purchase a tooth whitening kit

Today, you can get a teeth stain remover or a tooth whitening kit at many pharmacies. These are quite easily available, and you also have herbal options. You may find products such as UrbanBotanics activated charcoal powder or Lanbena teeth whitening essence,

and some kits may also contain tooth polishers. However, remember that such products should be used carefully and under the recommendation of a specialist.

Mix lemon juice with water and rinse

Maintaining a healthy mouth plays a big role in having whiter teeth. One smart way to go about it is to rinse with lemon juice diluted in water. Doing so disinfects the oral cavity and can help your teeth grow stronger and become cleaner too.

Use fluoride toothpaste

In a similar vein, using the right type of toothpaste can also help you protect your teeth against decay and staining. Here, using toothpaste with fluoride content is a good idea as it has many benefits for overall dental hygiene.

Try oil pulling

When looking to whiten yellow teeth, oil pulling is among the many techniques you should try out. Oil pulling benefits range from removing toxins to improving oral hygiene. Studies have found that daily oil pulling reduces bacteria and lowers the risk of you developing gingivitis and plaque. In practice, oil pulling involves a simple rinsing of the mouth with oil to clear out the bacteria. There is no such thing as the best oil for oil pulling, however, coconut oil is a popular choice.

Simply swish the oil around inside the mouth and push it through the gaps of the teeth. Once completed, spit out the oil safely and avoid spitting into sinks as the oil can harden and cause clogs. Be careful so as to not swallow this oil.

Rub citrus fruit peels on teeth

To remove stains and whiten your teeth, you can try rubbing the peels of oranges or lemons on your teeth for about 2 minutes. After this, you simply rinse and brush for whiter teeth. However, if you opt for this method, do so carefully as the acid from the peels can erode the enamel.

Brush with turmeric powder

Turmeric is known to have whitening properties that can rid teeth of stain. Moreover, it also has medicinal properties that can help with overall oral health. Here, you simply add turmeric to water and use the mixture to brush.

Make a baking soda paste

The baking soda teeth whitening method is one that is very common and often utilised. In fact, it is a common ingredient in toothpaste too. It helps scrub away surface stains and makes the mouth alkaline in nature, thus inhibiting bacterial growth. The whitening with this method is gradual and not something you’ll notice overnight. The way to use baking soda for teeth whitening is to simply add 1 teaspoon of the powder to 2 teaspoons of water and brush with the paste.

These tips for natural teeth whitening provide a cost-effective way to improving your teeth. However, it is important to note that using certain substances like apple cider vinegar, activated charcoal, and even baking soda paste does involve some element of risk. Over-application or improper usage can irritate the gums or erode tooth enamel, causing further problems. The best option is to stick with safer methods for teeth whitening at home like maintaining good oral hygiene and making dietary changes to avoid foods that stain the teeth. For the best care, approaching a specialist for teeth whitening treatment is ideal and with Bajaj Finserv Health, finding the right doctor aka a dentist is easy.

Your search for top orthodontists and dentists ends with Bajaj Finser Health. You can view a list of top dentists and orthodontists near you in your city. You can also book an online appointment or opt for an in-clinic appointment at your convenience. In doing so, you get access to exciting discounts and deals from empanelled healthcare partners. These benefits and others like it are just one step away.