Teeth Whitening Au Naturel
Flip through the channels on any given day and you’re bound to see a commercial for the latest and greatest teeth whitening strips. They always display amazing results—usually a mouth full of perfect pearly whites.
The downside? The chemicals in some of these strips can leave a bad taste in your mouth.
Another option is to get your teeth professionally whitened, but that can be expensive. An in-office bleaching can cost hundreds of dollars.
A third option is to go the natural route. The difficulty here is navigating through the various techniques and selecting what works for you.
October is National Dental Hygiene Month, a good time to explore some of these natural teeth whitening options. It should be noted that the American Dental Hygienists’ Association “doesn’t have a policy for teeth whitening, or for homeopathic remedies,” according to Kelli Swanson Jaecks, the association’s president.
Jaecks doesn’t confirm whether these methods work. Rather, she says patients should focus on their overall dental hygiene and wellness.
“Healthy teeth and gums are a result of regular visits to your dental hygienist who—through evidence-based consultation and treatment—will provide you with the necessary tools to keep your teeth and gums healthy,” she says.
Jaecks recommends patients brush twice daily, floss every day, rinse with mouthwash and chew sugar-free gum to keep their teeth and gums healthy.
“White teeth have as much to do with these healthy habits as they do with any whitening process you may use under the supervision of your dental hygiene professional,” she says.
5 Whitening Alternatives
Dr. Josh Axe, who has been featured on The Dr. Oz Show, offers five natural alternatives to help whiten teeth.
Coconut-Oil Pulling
There are a few different ways to approach coconut-oil pulling. You can put a spoonful of coconut oil in your mouth and swish for five to 20 minutes, add a few drops to your toothbrush and brush it onto your teeth, or add some to a clean washcloth and rub it on your teeth. According to Axe, it can not only help whiten teeth, it is also good for your gums because of coconut oil’s “antimicrobial properties.”
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar may help remove nicotine and coffee stains from teeth. The key to this method is consistency. Axe cautions that because apple cider vinegar is an acid, it can damage tooth enamel. After brushing your teeth with apple cider vinegar, brush again with regular toothpaste, and rinse well.
Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda
Mix equal amounts of hydrogen peroxide and bakingsoda into a paste, then brush your teeth with the mixture. According to Axe, hydrogen peroxide helps keep the mouth and gums clean and germ-free.
Strawberries
Mash up four to five strawberries and rub the mash on your teeth. Rinse well after, making sure you eliminate any red hue left over from the strawberries.
Lemon/Orange Peels
Using lemon and orange peels—either separately or in conjunction with each other—may help whiten teeth. Rinse well afterward because the acid from the peels can eventually wear away at tooth enamel.