A recent survey revealed that 37% of the people notice a person’s smile first. But most people, it seems, are afraid of smiling wide and showing off their teeth. Why? Because we all know that 100% of those 37% who notice your smile are going to spot your yellow teeth. You want to “woo” people with your smile not make them turn away. But getting the dazzling white smile can be an expensive business. You have dental procedures like teeth whitening and bleaching but they are bound to dig a big hole in your wallet. Don’t worry! We have you covered. Here are some home remedies to get a quick fix for your dull yellowing teeth naturally and brighten your smile.
1. Strawberries:
Don’t we women just dig the champagne and strawberries and all that romantic stuff? Here is a fact about strawberries that would encourage you to savour them even more. This sweet, savoury and juicy super food is low in sugar and high in nutrients which are good for health. It also contains gentle malic acid that acts like an exfoliating agent which removes plaque and debris and cleans the surface of the teeth, giving it a whiter appearance.
How to use: Mash some ripe strawberries into pulp and gentle rub this paste on your teeth using a toothbrush. Rinse with warm water after you are done to remove excess acid from your mouth.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar:
This multipurpose household item not only whitens your teeth but also cleans and stimulates gums making them stronger. It contains citric acid which breaks down the plaque and stain molecules, cleans teeth and gums and controls bad breath. But one thing to keep in mind is that the acids might erode the enamel so dilute it with water before using. Also it doesn’t give an immediate effect but works efficiently over a period of time on consistent use.
How to use: There are two ways in which you can use apple cider vinegar –
Option 1: Dilute the vinegar with equal parts water and gargle with it.
Option 2: Make a paste combining vinegar with baking soda and brush it gently with a toothbrush.
With both options it is recommended to brush again with regular toothpaste to remove acid thoroughly.
3. Coconut Oil Pulling:
The internet is flooded with posts regarding the many health benefits of coconut oil. Are they all true one cannot say but when it comes to oral health it is proven that coconut oil has stain-decreasing properties. It contains lauric acid which breaks down the bacteria that causes yellowing of teeth.
How to use: Rub coconut oil gently on teeth and massage the gums for two minutes. Rinse off with warm water. You can also add crushed mint leaves to give a minty fresh feel to your mouth.
4. Baking Soda:
Baking soda is composed of a chemical compound that makes it a great mild abrasive. It is this same abrasiveness that effectively removes surface stains from your teeth and makes them appear whiter. Baking soda also increases the ph level of your mouth that protects teeth from decay and cavities.
How to use: Make a paste using a few spoons of baking soda and fresh lemon juice (or water). Apply this paste on your teeth and gently massage it. Rinse off with warm water. Apply and leave regular toothpaste on your teeth surface for 1 minute, then rinse, so as to avoid the acid effecting enamel.
5. Activated Charcoal:
In ancient times, when toothpaste wasn’t invented, charcoal power was one of the most common ingredients people used to clean their teeth. Though now we have toothpastes, charcoal works miracles when it comes to instantly whitening your teeth. Here is why – “Activated charcoal’s natural adhesive qualities let it bind with surface-staining culprits like coffee, tea, wine, and plaque, and take them off your teeth for good when you spit it out”, says Joseph Banker, DMD, a New Jersey-based cosmetic dentist.
How to use: Apply a paste of charcoal and water on all exposed surface of your teeth. Keep for 3 minutes and rinse off. Activated carbon can be grainy and can seriously harm the enamel and teeth. So it is recommended not to rub it on your teeth.
These are not infallible methods to get perfect white teeth. Though all the above remedies work they certainly cannot replace your regular oral hygiene routine of brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day. To maintain good oral health and retain the whiteness of your teeth one has to brush and floss regularly. Most people tend to shrug off flossing because traditional string floss can be irksome and painful at times. Try using different ways of flossing like Oracura's Smart Water flosser and Tabletop water flosser for effective, gentler and fun way of flossing.
Don’t hesitate to smile openly; just take proper measures to maintain good dental health. After all a smile is the prettiest thing that you can wear.
