A bright smile is one of the biggest assets anyone can have. The state of your teeth dictates the quality of your smile, so having healthy and sparkling white teeth is a sure way to enhance your smile and your image. The best approach is to whiten teeth is to use natural ingredients. Not only are natural methods effective, but also they pose minimal side effects compared to over-the-counter teeth whitening products. Additionally, these natural substances are readily available, cheaper, and easy to use.
Baking Soda & Salt
The first natural ingredient is baking soda. It can be mixed with table salt in order to reduce gum irritation in sensitive individuals. It works to effectively diminish and/or remove stains on the teeth surface. As well, it kills bacteria within the oral cavity. Some toothpastes do contain small quantities of baking soda, but not enough for best results. Mix 3 teaspoons of baking soda and one teaspoon table salt with enough water to make a paste. Brush your teeth with the paste. After brushing, finish up by flossing. Note: You can use this recipe without the salt which acts as an abrasive to clean your teeth.
Oil Pulling With Sesame Oil
Another great natural teeth whitener is sesame oil. Take one or two tablespoons and gently swish with it for several minutes, working up to twenty minutes. It’s best to use the oil-pulling method first thing in morning as the process works to remove toxins in your mouth and body. If you find that your mouth gets tired, then you are swishing too hard. Afterward, spit out the oil, rinse your mouth with water, brush with a natural toothpaste, and floss. When used everyday, and consistently for a period of time, your teeth will not only become whiter and brighter, but you will likely see other improvements in your health. Oil pulling is known to help with improving the overall condition of the mouth, bronchitis, migraines, insomnia, many skin conditions, ulcers, and diseases of the stomach and intestines, just to mention a few. Oil pulling aids in detoxifying the body and calming inflammation.
Banana Peels & Strawberries
Use one fruit, or alternate between the two. Banana peels and strawberries can whiten teeth. The peels from a ripe banana contain high amounts of potassium, magnesium, and manganese that will whiten your teeth. To use it, cut a piece of the banana skin so that it will easily fit in your mouth and rub the skin inside of the skin on your teeth for two minutes. Make sure to cover all sides of teeth. Afterward, brush with your preferred toothpaste and floss. For the strawberries, cut the green top off and slide the pink and white of the inside of the berry across your teeth for a couple of minutes. The malic acid in the berry will work brighten your teeth. For variation, mash strawberries into pulp and mix with baking soda (no salt or water). Apply the paste and allow it to sit for a couple of minutes before rinsing. It’s recommended to use all fruit methods no more than once per week.
