3 Natural Teeth Whiteners

There are multiple ways to achieve a bright smile. Commercial teeth whiteners that are sold over the counter are often effective at removing Dental stains. In addition, in-office professional whitening procedures can produce white teeth quickly and safely. There are also natural ways to whiten the teeth. Here are a few natural substances that can be used to lighten tooth color:  

Strawberries

Strawberries contain malic acid, which can help dissolve discoloration from the teeth. For people who would like to use strawberries as a whitener, they should mash the strawberries into a paste using a fork or spoon.

The strawberry paste can be applied to a toothbrush and brushed onto the teeth. Once the strawberries have been allowed to rest on the teeth for a few moments, they should be thoroughly rinsed away. In addition, due to the acidic nature of the strawberries,  it can be useful to rinse with a baking soda solution to help neutralize the acid before it can damage the tooth enamel.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide, which is often applied to disinfect wounds, can whiten the teeth. The solution is available for purchase over-the-counter in a three-percent concentration. However, hydrogen peroxide should be diluted to help ensure that it does not irritate the sensitive soft tissues of the mouth.

To use peroxide to whiten the teeth, add an equal part of water to the solution and rinse the mouth thoroughly as you would with a conventional mouthwash. The oxygenating bubbles of the peroxide can help bleach dental stains and kill oral bacteria that contribute to the production of plaque.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil can be used to lighten the teeth during a process called oil pulling. A spoonful of oil can be placed in the mouth and moved about for around 20 minutes. At the end of the allotted time, the oil should be discarded. The patient can then rinse his or her mouth and brush the teeth in the normal manner.

As the oil moves about the mouth, it collects oral bacteria and traps them. In addition, the oil can help remove dental stains from the pores of the teeth.

Since coconut oil is antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory, additional oral health benefits, such as the soothing of irritated gum tissue and a reduction in oral bacteria counts, are also realized.

To learn more ways to whiten the teeth, consult with a cosmetic dentist (such as one from HC Dentistry) in your area.