Whitening your teeth does not have to be expensive. In fact, home remedies provide a successful way to get whiter teeth without spending a fortune on a trip to the dentist, or on an over-the-counter whitening kit. Using natural products to whiten teeth can take a bit longer than high-tech lasers and bleaching lights, but you will have peace of mind knowing that what you are using is safe.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Many over-the-counter tooth-whitening remedies contain hydrogen peroxide. Tufts University reports that hydrogen peroxide penetrates the enamel and dentin layers of your teeth, producing free radicals that ultimately create single-carbon bonds. These single-carbon bonds reflect light, and make teeth look whiter. Pour a few teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide into a bathroom cup, and dip your toothbrush inside. Brush your teeth with the hydrogen peroxide for two minutes, rinsing with water afterward. Apply the hydrogen peroxide once a day, between normal brushings, for best results.
Baking Soda
Florida State University explains that baking soda helps maintain an internal acidity balance, and has a variety of uses, including cleaning, extinguishing fires, and polishing teeth. This gentle abrasive forms from soda ash and works well as a stain-removing agent. Pour a few teaspoons of baking soda into a bathroom cup, and dip your damp toothbrush into it. Brush your teeth with the baking soda for two minutes, rinsing afterward with water. Because baking soda is an abrasive, you should only brush with it two to three times a week.
Strawberries
Not only are strawberries good for your health, they are also good for your teeth. In fact, Health.com notes that strawberries provide a quick and inexpensive way to whiten your teeth. Malic acid, a natural enzyme in strawberries, creates the whitening action. You can whiten with strawberries several ways, including by rubbing the ripe fruit on your teeth, or eating the strawberries and allowing the malic acid to sit on your teeth for five to 10 minutes as it removes stains. A final alternative is to mash a ripe strawberry in a small bowl using a fork. Mix in half a teaspoon of baking soda, and apply the strawberry mixture to a toothbrush. Brush for five minute and rinse. Follow up with a second brushing using regular toothpaste. Brush with strawberries once a week.
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