Whitening your teeth naturally: Over time our teeth tend to stain and acquire that unpleasant yellowish glow due to staining and build up of plaque. Common culprits include caffeine and nicotine. Stained teeth can be a bother when they make owners feel less confident about themselves.
There are a myriad of procedures and cosmetic products that promise to guarantee instant results. However, most are either expensive or have harmful side effects.
Luckily, there are readily available remedies you can use to whiten teeth without breaking the bank or having to suffer unpleasant side effects. Here are some.
Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide
Bacterial growth on teeth leads to build up of the yellowish plaque. Mixing a small amount of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda helps remove the plaque from teeth and inhibit growth of bacteria. The abrasive nature of baking soda helps in scrubbing off plaque while anti-bacterial properties of hydrogen peroxide keep the mouth free of germs.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil possesses antimicrobial properties that make it an ideal agent that help to clean and protect gums. Swish a spoonful of coconut oil in your mouth for 15 to 20 minutes after brushing your teeth. You can also add a few drops to your toothbrush and brush on your teeth.
Lemon and Orange Peels
Anecdotal evidence has shown that citrus fruits contain beneficial acids that aid in whitening teeth. Rub lemon or orange peels on your teeth immediately after brushing. Rinse with plenty of water afterwards because the citric acid in the peels is corrosive and can eventually wear away enamel if used indiscriminately.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is not only an antibacterial but also an active stain remover. Those who have used ACV swear that it works as good as commercial products in getting rid of caffeine and nicotine stains.
Preventive Measures
While it is natural for teeth to yellow over time, there are certain foods and beverages that accelerate the process. Consuming copious amount of soda, red wine and coffee are the leading cause of yellowing teeth. Others include chewing tobacco, too much sugar intake and smoking.
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Eliminating or limiting consumption of these foods will therefore your teeth don’t yellow as fast. Also be sure to brush teeth regularly, especially after consuming foods and drinks that are known to stain teeth.
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