5 simple way of whitening your teeth

Simple and Natural Ways To Whiten Your Teeth At Home
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There are plenty of products to choose from when it comes to whitening your teeth, However, most whitening products use chemicals to bleach your teeth, which concerns many people.
If you want whiter teeth, but also want to avoid the chemicals, then this article lists 5 options that are both natural and safe.
What Causes Teeth to Look Yellow?
There are multiple factors that cause teeth to become dull and lose their bright, white sparkle.
Certain foods can stain your enamel, which is the outermost layer of your teeth. Additionally, plaque build-up on your teeth can cause them to look yellow.
This type of discoloration can usually be treated with regular cleaning and whitening remedies.
However, sometimes teeth look yellow because the hard enamel has eroded away, revealing the dentin underneath. Dentin is a naturally yellow, bony tissue that lies underneath the enamel.
Here are 5 simple ways you can naturally whiten your teeth:
1. Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a natural bleaching agent that also kills bacteria in your mouth, In fact, people have been using hydrogen peroxide for years to disinfect wounds because of its ability to kill bacteria.
Many commercial whitening products contain hydrogen peroxide, although at a much higher concentration than you will use.
Unfortunately, there aren't any studies to show the effects of rinsing or brushing with hydrogen peroxide alone, but several studies have analyzed commercial toothpastes containing peroxide.
A study found that a toothpaste containing baking soda and 1% hydrogen peroxide led to significantly whiter teeth.
However, there are some questions regarding the safety of hydrogen peroxide.
While heavily diluted concentrations appear safe, strong concentrations or overuse can cause gum irritation and tooth sensitivity.
One way to use hydrogen peroxide is as a mouthwash before you brush your teeth. Make sure you are using a 1.5% or 3% solution to avoid side effects. You can easily dilute this concentration to 1.5% by mixing equal parts peroxide and water.
Another way to use hydrogen peroxide is by mixing it with baking soda to make a toothpaste. Combine 2 teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide with 1 teaspoon of baking soda and gently brush your teeth with the mixture.
Limit the use of this homemade paste to a few times per week, as overuse can erode your tooth enamel.
You can buy hydrogen peroxide online or in a drug store.
Hydrogen peroxide is a natural bleaching agent and can kill bacteria in your mouth. You can use it as a mouthwash or mix it with baking soda to form a whitening toothpaste.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has been used for centuries as a disinfectant and natural cleaning product.
Acetic acid, which is the main active ingredient in apple cider vinegar, effectively kills bacteria. The antibacterial property of vinegar is what makes it useful for cleaning your mouth and whitening your teeth.
One study performed on cow teeth found that apple cider vinegar does have a bleaching effect on teeth.
The acetic acid in vinegar has the potential to erode the enamel on your teeth. For this reason, you should not use apple cider vinegar every day. You should also limit the amount of time that apple cider vinegar is in contact with your teeth.
To use it as a mouthwash, dilute it with water and swish it around in your mouth for several minutes. Make sure to rinse your mouth with plain water afterwards.
You can buy apple cider vinegar in your local markets, pharmaceuticals or super markets.
Apple cider vinegar has antibacterial properties that may help whiten your teeth. However, overuse of vinegar can also erode the enamel on your teeth, so limit its use to a few times per week.
3. Baking Soda
Baking soda has natural whitening properties, which is why it's a popular ingredient in commercial toothpaste.
It's a mild abrasive that can help scrub away surface stains on teeth.
Additionally, baking soda creates an alkaline environment in your mouth, which prevents bacteria from growing. This is not a remedy that will whiten your teeth overnight, but you should notice a difference in the appearance of your teeth over time.
Science has not yet proven that brushing with plain baking soda will whiten your teeth, but several studies show that toothpaste with baking soda has a significant whitening effect.
One study found that toothpastes containing baking soda were significantly more effective at removing yellow stains from teeth than standard toothpastes without baking soda. The higher the concentration of baking soda, the greater the effect.
Also studies found that toothpastes containing baking soda removed plaque from teeth more effectively than non-baking soda toothpastes.
To use this remedy, mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda with 2 teaspoons of water and brush your teeth with the paste. You can do this a few times per week.
You can buy baking soda at a grocery store or purchase it online.
Brushing with a paste made with baking soda and water can reduce bacteria in your mouth and buff away surface stains.
4. Fruits and Vegetables
A diet high in fruits and vegetables may be good for both your body and your teeth.
While they're no substitute for brushing your teeth, crunchy, raw fruits and vegetables can help rub plaque away as you chew.
In particular, strawberries and pineapple are two fruits that have been claimed to help whiten your teeth.
Strawberries
Whitening your teeth with a strawberry and baking soda mixture is a natural remedy that has been made popular by celebrities.
Advocates of this method claim that the malic acid found in strawberries will remove discoloration on your teeth, while the baking soda will buff away stains.
However, this remedy has not been completely backed up by science.
While strawberries may help exfoliate your teeth and make them appear whiter, they are unlikely to penetrate the stains on your teeth.
A recent study found that a strawberry and baking soda mixture produced very little color change in teeth, compared to commercial whitening products. If you decide to give this method a try, limit its use to a few times per week.
To use this remedy, smash up a fresh strawberry, combine it with baking soda and brush the mixture on your teeth.
Pineapple
Some claim that pineapple can whiten teeth.
A study found that a toothpaste containing bromelain, an enzyme found in pineapples, was significantly more effective at removing tooth stains than a standard toothpaste.
However, there is no evidence that eating pineapples produces the same effect.
Certain fruits may have properties that help whiten teeth. Regularly consume raw fruits and vegetables to help rub off plaque and keep your teeth looking bright.
5. Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal is a fine-grained black powder made from a variety of natural substances, such as slowly burned wood or coconut shells.
The powder becomes activated when oxidized under extreme heat. Activated charcoal is very porous and highly adsorbent. It also has a wide surface area.
Unlike absorbent substances, activated charcoal’s adsorbent nature allows it to bind to toxins and odors, rather than soaking (absorbing) them up.
However activated charcoal shouldn’t be confused with the regular charcoal you use for barbecuing.
You can purchase it as a powder or in capsules that you open. Mix with water to make a paste. You can also try sprinkling the charcoal onto your wet finger or toothbrush.
Keep in mind that this technique may be hard to finesse. Activated charcoal can also stain fabrics and countertops.
Precautions for using activated charcoal on teeth
It’s important to protect your teeth by using products that won’t wear down enamel. Since overuse of activated charcoal products can lead to teeth erosion, use them cautiously.
The ADA recommends choosing toothpastes with a relative dentin abrasivity (RDA) level of 250 or less. Try to choose activated charcoal toothpastes that meet that guideline.
If that isn’t possible, use the product only for a short period of time. You can also alternate it with a fluoride toothpaste.
To reduce abrasiveness, try using your fingers to rub activated charcoal on your teeth rather than applying it with a toothbrush.
Bonus - Brush and Floss
While some tooth discoloration comes naturally with age, it is largely a result of plaque build-up.
Regular brushing and flossing can help your teeth stay white by reducing bacteria in your mouth and preventing plaque build-up.
Toothpaste gently rubs out stains on your teeth, and flossing removes bacteria that lead to plaque.
Regular dental cleanings can also help your teeth stay clean and white.
Daily brushing and flossing, along with regular cleanings at the dentist’s office, prevent the build-up of yellowing plaque on your teeth.
Don't forget to always protect your beautiful smile.