Have you ever wondered, “Why do my teeth look so yellow”?
Many factors play into the color of our teeth. What we eat and drink plays a significant role. Anything that we put into our mouth can cause stains on the outside of our teeth. This stain can usually be removed with routine dental cleanings, it may also require a teeth whitening procedure of some kind.
Our teeth naturally have a unique natural color to them as well. Our teeth’ color is mostly determined by the dentin layer that is under the enamel layer of our teeth. Some people can have more yellowish or darker dentin shade, while others naturally have white teeth. If your dentin layer is not as white as you would like, you may benefit from teeth whitening. Check out this popular dentist in Virginia Beach if you want to get whiter teeth.
There are many teeth whitening products available on the market today. Many of them carried by stores and dental offices contain chemicals that help to whiten teeth. Thankfully there are many natural ways to whiten and brighten your teeth. Get that smile that you love without the harsh chemicals!
Here are 6 natural ways that you can whiten your teeth:
Use Charcoal
It may feel counterproductive to apply Charcoal (a dark powder) to your teeth when trying to whiten them. Charcoal whitening does work as the Charcoal is slightly abrasive and able to absorb stains on your teeth. Charcoal is also known for removing toxins from your mouth. It can be kind of messy to use it since it is very dark, but dipping a wet toothbrush into a small amount of charcoal powder and then brushing for a few minutes before rinsing it all this method takes!
There is some level of caution that should be taken any time that something abrasive is used on our teeth and charcoal teeth whitening is no exception. It is best not to go crazy when brushing as we don’t want to wear away the protective enamel layer on our teeth.
Brushing With Baking Soda
You might have noticed that baking soda is added to some of the toothpastes indicated as whitening toothpastes. Baking soda has natural whitening properties because it is also mildly abrasive and it is too alkaline. Its abrasiveness can help scrub away stains on the teeth, thus helping the teeth appear whiter. When baking soda is used for brushing, it helps create an alkaline environment where bacteria growth is prevented.
Brushing with baking soda is as simple as using a toothpaste with baking soda or making your baking soda paste at home. Mix 1 teaspoon baking soda with a few drops of water, and you can apply it to your toothbrush as you would a toothpaste.
Eat Fruits And Vegetables
Eating a good variety of fruits and vegetables not only boost your immune system but it can also help naturally remove stain from your teeth. Strawberries and apples are high in malic acid, and this acid works to remove surface stains, which also whiten teeth. Crunchy fruits and vegetables are great for our teeth because chewing them has a scrubbing effect that can remove stains from the teeth.
Oil Pulling
Oil pulling is the practice of swishing oil around in your mouth for 15-20 minutes. The swishing helps to remove bacteria and reduce plaque buildup. While it hasn’t been proven that swishing oil whitens your teeth, many who have tried this method have said they noticed their teeth were whiter. When plaque is present, it often has a yellowish tint to it. It is likely those who did oil pulling experienced reduced amounts of plaque from swishing, and therefore, the yellowish plaque was absent after oil pulling.
Oil pulling can be traced back to the Indians who used these habits to remove toxins from the body and improve their oral hygiene. Many different oils can be used, but coconut oil is a top choice. It has a better taste than most other oils, and it also has many health benefits such as reducing inflammation and killing bacteria. It can also help control the bacteria that cause decay and gingivitis.
To oil pull with coconut oil, put 1 tablespoon coconut oil in your mouth. The oil will soften in your mouth as it warms up. After a few seconds, it should be in liquid form, and now you can push and pull the oil through your teeth by swishing. Continue swishing for 15-20 minutes and then spit the oil out into the trash can. Do not spit the coconut oil into the sink as it can turn solid at room temperature and clog pipes and drains.
Prevent Tooth Stains Before They Happen
As with most things in life, prevention is usually best! Preventing stains from accumulating in the first place can keep you from ever having to try natural whitening methods. Ways to prevent tooth stains from happening may include limiting your consumption of food and beverages that cause staining. Coffee, red wine, soda, and dark berries are known to cause staining of the teeth. Also, limiting your sugar intake can be beneficial as sugar increases the amount of bacteria and plaque in your mouth, contributing to staining.
If you consume these foods, it can be beneficial to brush or chew sugar-free gum right afterward. Brushing and chewing gum help to keep teeth white by increasing salivary flow and reducing the amount of plaque on your teeth.
Brushing And Flossing
Let’s not forget the most effective way to keep your teeth shiny and white is caring for them every day. Brushing twice a day and flossing once a day is the best natural teeth whitening. It efficiently limits plaque and staining.
There are several ways that you can whiten your teeth naturally at home. These methods all work by gently removing the plaque and stains from your teeth. It’s important to remember that none of them is a quick process. The benefit of trying them is that they are generally safe options for your teeth. They may require up to 15 minutes of your day, but they don’t contain strong chemicals that can be harmful to your teeth and cause sensitivity.
