Are your pearly whites looking a little less than pearly? Get your smile back and whiten your teeth naturally with these 6 tips!
We all want some pearly whites, but did you know that a component called dentin plays a role in how white your teeth can get? Dentin is one of the 4 components in the teeth, and it is located behind your teeth's enamel. It is yellowish in color, and if you wear down the enamel on your teeth’s surface, your pearly whites will take on a natural yellowish tone. We can’t change that, but we can brighten our smiles and whiten the enamel on the teeth. Just remember, results will vary.
1. Correct Brushing and Flossing
Yes! It makes a difference. Brushing your teeth after meals and drinks that may stain your teeth (soda, dark juices, coffee, tea, and wine) will keep your teeth as white as they can be. Flossing daily reduces plaque, and remember to be gentle on your teeth. Too much abrasion can wear your natural enamel down making dentin more noticeable.
2. Baking Soda and Lemon Juice
Making a paste out of a few teaspoons of baking soda and a small amount of lemon can lift simple stains off your teeth. After you make the paste, dry your teeth off with a paper towel and apply the paste. Let the mixture sit for a couple minutes. You can rinse the paste off and then brush, or you can brush gently with a soft toothbrush in an up and down motion. This motion reduces abrasiveness to your teeth. Rinse and repeat every couple days.
3. Strawberries
Mash strawberries to a pulp. Apply to your teeth and let sit up to 5 minutes. You can add a little baking soda to this mixture if you like. Brush teeth and rinse. Brush again with toothpaste to make sure you have removed all the strawberry paste.
4. Activated Charcoal
It may be messy, but you can enhance your smile. By using activated charcoal, you want to dip your damp toothbrush into the mixture and brush your teeth for a couple of minutes in small gentle circles. Charcoal can stain your sink, so you want to make sure you rinse everything well afterward.
5. Increase Water Intake
Bumping up your water intake can wash away leftover food and drink particles. It also flushes out bacteria and protects your enamel. Some areas have fluoridated water which protects your teeth as well.
6. Coconut Oil
This edible oil can help whiten teeth by removing plaque and keeping your gums healthy.
Although you can brighten your teeth and remove some surface staining with natural whitening, remember that dentin is yellow. It’s important to keep a healthy mouth and preserve your original enamel as much as possible. Once enamel wears, we don't build it back. So as you begin with brushing and flossing, choose enamel-friendly foods and drinks.
Try some of these natural whitening tips and before you know it your natural teeth will be whiter and brighter. Stay Healthy and Keep Smiling!
