Each year, Americans spend billions of dollars on teeth whitening solutions and over one billion dollars on at-home remedies for whiter teeth. There are plenty of at-home solutions out there, but not all are built the same.
Some remedies use bleach to whiten teeth which can be a health concern for some individuals; others simply don’t work at all and are a waste of time and money. It’s important to know which solutions are healthy, natural, safe, and effective. Here are a few tried and true ways you can whiten your teeth at home.
Brushing With Baking Soda for Whiter Teeth
There’s a reason big health companies put baking soda in their toothpastes—it’s known to be an effective whitening solution for teeth. Baking soda whitens teeth over time in several ways. It helps create an alkaline environment in your mouth which prevents yellowing bacteria from growing. Its mildly abrasive texture helps get rid of surface stains. And it has naturally whitening properties in its chemical makeup.
Next time you pick out a toothpaste, look for one with baking soda as a primary ingredient. You can also make your own baking soda paste at home using 1 teaspoon baking soda mixed with 2 teaspoons of water. Be patient with the results though, as it can take some time before the effects of brushing with baking soda are visible.
Cleaning Up Your Diet With Whitening Friendly Fruits & Veggies
Outside of being great for your body’s health, certain fruits and vegetables can help work to keep your teeth pearly white. Some people use a strawberry and baking soda mixture to whiten their teeth. They claim that the malic acid in strawberries helps remove discoloration, while the baking soda polishes away stains. The effects on this method are relatively unknown, but if you’re a fan of natural health remedies, you can try it out a few times per week.
Along with strawberries, some people use pineapples to help whiten their teeth. This is due to the fact that successful whitening toothpastes are known to contain the same enzyme, bromelain, that’s found in pineapples.
The evidence is limited on whether or not strawberries and pineapples, when mixed with baking soda, are effective whitening techniques. However, consuming them raw on a regular basis can help get rid of plaque build up on the surface of your teeth and naturally help keep them shining—so you can’t go wrong adding them to your diet.
Stopping Stains Before They Happen
Your teeth will naturally begin to turn yellow with age, but you can take preventative measures on your own at home to help keep them white. Limit your consumption of known tooth-staining foods and beverages like red wine, dark berries, soda, and coffee. When you do need your morning coffee fix, use a straw to limit its contact with the surface of your teeth.
On top of limiting your consumption of teeth-staining food and drink items, having a solid oral health care routine is a great way to keep stains away. You should brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes. An easy way to make sure you’re getting all of your teeth clean is by dividing your mouth into four quadrants and brushing each for 30 seconds. In addition to regular brushing, add flossing to your routine. Where brushing helps get rid of the plaque build up on the surface of your teeth, flossing gets rid of the plaque between your teeth.
LeCroy Dental: Comprehensive Dental Care
Sometimes at-home remedies for whiter teeth won’t cut it, and you need to seek professional care to get the results you want. Seeing your dentist regularly for cleanings is one of the best ways for you to gain and keep white teeth.
LeCroy Dental aims to make all of our patients feel comfortable and at home in a professional and compassionate manner. We offer a host of dental services, all of which are delivered with the goal to exceed your expectations with a relaxed, friendly experience. Contact us today for all of your dental needs!