Homemade Teeth Whiteners

Homemade teeth whiteners are designed to lighten the color of teeth through a bleaching and polishing process. This process helps eliminate discoloration caused by excess coffee, tea or cola consumption, tobacco use and even age. Many people opt for natural whitening techniques to avoid the use of chemicals that can irritate the gums, wear away tooth enamel, or cause increased sensitivity in teeth. Additionally, professional whitening solutions can be quite costly. If you are looking to brighten your smile, try some effective homemade formulas that will not irritate your gums or harm the enamel on your teeth.

Natural Solutions That Work
Fortunately there are several natural teeth whiteners that are effective. Baking soda with a few drops of hydrogen peroxide is a remedy that can be used once or twice a week. You can also make a paste using 1 tsp. of baking soda and another of hydrogen peroxide, and rub it on your teeth. Leave the solution on for a few minutes and then rinse it off. A tooth powder made of 3 tsp. baking soda mixed and 1 tsp. salt can also be used as a tooth whitener. A whitening rinse that uses fruit-grade hydrogen peroxide and water can also be effective after brushing your teeth with a conventional toothpaste.

Other alternatives that have been used through the centuries include walnut tree bark or hardwood ash, which contains potassium hydroxide, a known element for whitening teeth. Fresh sage leaves can also be rubbed on the teeth to create a whiter effect while also freshening the breath.

Word to the Wise
Vitamin C often can cause teeth to lose calcium, so be sure not to use lemon or lime juice as a whitening agent, especially in undiluted form.

Consult With Professionals
If your homemade tooth whitener is not as effective as you would like it to be, discuss alternatives with your dentist. She can determine which method is best according to the health of your gums and teeth.