Having whiter teeth is something that people strive for, especially in today’s cosmetically-driven world. As a matter of fact, statistics show that Americans spend more than $1.4 billion dollars every year to buy over-the-counter products and professional services to have their teeth whitened. But you don’t have to spend as much as you do to achieve your desired results. This is because you can actually whiten your teeth using items you already have in your home.
Without professional whitening treatments and products that are way beyond your budget, here are the natural ways to whiten those chompers:
1. Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide: This combination is deadly – in terms of in combating yellow teeth. Mix one teaspoon of each and stir until they make a paste, which will become your new toothpaste. Don’t go over twice a week of use though and always brush gently as this solution can be abrasive and may damage your tooth enamel.
2. Crunchy Foods: Whitening teeth is as easy as eating crunchy foods. Doing so can help remove the stains left by sugars and chemicals from other foods you ate, particularly those that are sticky. Some examples of crunchy foods to munch on are apples, cucumbers, celery, carrots, and broccoli.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar: ACV is great for removing stains, especially ones that you got from caffeine and nicotine. You have to be consistent in brushing with ACV though as it may take a month or more to see results. Just like hydrogen peroxide and baking soda, this vinegar could damage your tooth enamel, so be extremely careful. Also, you need to brush your teeth after using ACV, preferably with non-fluoride toothpaste.
4. Citrus Fruit Peels: Peels of citrus fruits, particularly orange and lemon, can help remove teeth stains. Once again, these are quite acidic, so watch out for your enamel. To be on the safe side, always rinse well after using the peels.
5. Strawberries: This technique has been proven by many celebrities, most notably Catherine Zeta-Jones. Mash up at least four strawberries and rub the mixture on your teeth. For some people, the difference can be seen right away. Make sure you rinse well afterward though.
Everything on the list is inexpensive and many can attest their effectiveness. However, it is important to remember that some of the natural whiteners as noted above are acidic and may damage teeth. With proper care and information, you can keep your teeth safe from harm, while whitening them without worries.