If you’re tired of smiling in the mirror and seeing the yellowish tinge of your stained teeth smiling back at you, it’s time to find a whitening solution. You’re not alone in this quest: Americans spent more than $11 billion on teeth whitening products and treatments in 2015!
Yet removing discoloration to brighten your teeth isn’t an easy task. Plenty of chemical treatments promise dramatic results, but do you really want chemical bleaches lingering along your teeth and gums? The following natural whitening techniques will help you restore your dazzling smile without the risks of increased tooth sensitivity or toxicity.
Start With Preventative Measures
Before you devote time and energy to removing stains from your teeth, try to minimize habits that you know will cause stains in the future. Even just a few preventative measures will decrease discoloration and help your teeth stay whiter, longer.
The most powerful way to protect your teeth is to cut down on all forms of sugar. Swap soda and juice for water and choose whole foods over processed junk or simple carbohydrates. Bacteria love sugar, so the less sugar that enters your mouth, the less bacteria will form.
Make Oil Pulling a Regular Part Of Your Routine
Oil pulling is a traditional Indian folk remedy that has been hailed as a cornerstone of natural oral health care. This practice of swishing coconut oil around your mouth for 20 minutes succeeds in extracting bacteria from the teeth and gums. Bacteria turns into plaque and creates a yellow appearance on the skin, so oil pulling once a day can brighten your smile.
Try Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide
Baking soda has natural whitening properties and hydrogen peroxide is a natural bleaching agent, so together they have the power to reverse unwanted stains and restore attractive white teeth. Be sure to use 2 teaspoons of heavily diluted hydrogen peroxide from a 1.5% or 3% solution, mix with 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and brush gently a few times per week. This isn’t an instant solution, but you will see undeniable results over time.
Add Essential Oils to Your Toothpaste
Essential oils offer so many benefits to your mouth, including to whiten your teeth! Combine the fluoride-free toothpaste of your choice with Orange of Tangerine essential oil to stimulate a whitening effect as you brush. It’s as easy as placing one single drop of oil on top of your toothpaste every morning and night for one month.
For more help restoring white teeth that make you proud to smile wide, visit Dr. Beata A. Carlson and Associates at Natural and Cosmetic Dentistry in Clearwater, Florida. They are committed to using natural, safe, and effective techniques to give you a brilliant smile. Call 727-888-6523 to make your appointment today.
