Although it is possible to whiten your teeth at home without using whitening strips, the first step is to take proper care of your teeth. Practical tips for keeping teeth whiter and brighter include brushing every morning and before going to bed, flossing daily and not drinking too much coffee, wine, soda or other beverages that can stain your teeth.
Natural Abrasives
Foods that work as natural abrasives help clean teeth by removing surface stains. Apples, celery and carrots have high levels of cellulose, and can make your teeth look and feel cleaner. Dark green vegetables like kale, broccoli and spinach contain mineral compounds that form a film over the surface of the teeth, making them resistant to foods that stain. Adding milk to tea or coffee also makes it more difficult for stains to stick to the surface of tooth enamel.
Polish Tooth Enamel
Baking soda is another abrasive you can use to clean teeth and lighten stains, leaving them looking whiter. The particles polish tooth enamel while mixing baking soda with water causes a chemical reaction that lightens stains on your teeth. Since baking soda can be harsh on your teeth, you should only brush with it once each week.
Remove Dark Stains
Lemons and strawberries both have an acidic base that makes them good for removing stains from your teeth. Mix a few drops of lemon juice with a pinch of table salt to form a paste. Rub on teeth on your teeth to remove dark stains. Eating strawberries is another way to achieve a whiter smile. Avoid exposing your teeth to lemon juice or strawberries too often as the acidic properties can be harmful to tooth enamel with regular use.
Natural Bleaching Agents
Orange peel is a popular home remedy that people often use as bleaching agent to brighten teeth. Rub the inside of the peel over teeth to remove stains. Apple cider vinegar and white vinegar also contain natural bleaching agents that can remove stains from teeth. Avoid using vinegar on the teeth daily as prolonged use can damage tooth enamel.
Whitening Toothpaste
Whitening toothpaste removes stains from teeth, making them look brighter. Using whitening toothpaste twice each day should bring about noticeable results in about four weeks. Some whitening toothpastes include the chemical blue covarine, which sticks to the surface of teeth and can make them look brighter, although teeth really do not get lighter in shade. Dr. Alan B. Carr, D.M.D., a professor of dentistry at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, recommends using a whitening toothpaste that carries the American Dental Association Seal of Approval to be sure the product does what it says.
