Stained Teeth - 4 DIY Ways To a Brighter Smile

Are your teeth less than bright and shiny white? Do you want to clean them more naturally, getting back to a brighter smile?

Many people want to avoid some of the chemicals used in the powerful treatments.

The good news is many of the at-home treatments do work, they just work slower. It takes more time and effort to accomplish your goal. If this is what you want, we recommend reading on and seeing what works best for you.

Brush More Often & Floss

Dentists agree that most people do not brush their teeth often enough and floss even less. Simply brushing your teeth and remove debris, dirt, and surface stains can reduce staining, rather than giving coffee, tea, or other things time to seep into your teeth.

And don't forget flossing. Getting food and debris out from between your teeth can reduce the staining between, which often makes your teeth look duller than they are.

Baking Soda & Peroxide

Many toothpastes include baking soda and peroxide because it works. The mix of the two chemicals oxidizes the stains and breaks them down into easily washed away components when you rinse out your mouth.

Although you can use baking soda directly as a toothpaste, it's not recommended. It's a harsh abrasive that can strip your teeth of layers, particularly if you have sensitive teeth or receding gums.

You should never use peroxide full strength. It should be diluted at least in half before using it.

Oil Pulling

The ancient Ayurvedic practice of oil pulling was the primary way of keeping teeth clean. It works amazingly well. Traditionally, sesame oil was used, and this oil is antibacterial, probiotic supporting, and nutritious. However, as oil pulling stretched around the world, olive oil and coconut oil gained popularity as an alternative.

The act of moving the oil around your teeth helps pull out material, bacteria, and build-up from between your teeth and along your gum line. Because the practice is recommended several times a day, it helps keep teeth very clean.

Incorporating the practice of swishing oil around your mouth for 10 to 15 minutes per day can help improve your oral health when combined with brushing and flossing.

More Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables, in general, are good for your teeth. This is because the fibers help remove debris build-up and they tend not to leave a residue.

Certain fruits like strawberries and pineapple contain antioxidants that work very well for your teeth. The bromelain in pineapple helps break down proteins, which can cause staining from bacteria build-up. Strawberries contain anthocyanins that can break down tannins from coffee and tea.

Home Remedies That Don't Work

Of course, there are a lot of remedies that just don't work. Some can change the color of your teeth but are highly destructive.

Lemon Juice

Lemon juice works to reduce staining, but can strip your teeth of layers because of the strong acid. Save your lemon juice for cooking and flavor in your water, but don't swish your lemon juice around your mouth to whiten your teeth.

Citrus Peel

Some people swear by citrus peel. The acids and oils within the lemon peel, limonene in particular, can break down some of the staining, but citrus peel does not contain enough to produce a significant effect. Plus, the other oils may cause gum damage that can make oral health worse later on in life.

Kaolin Clay

The abrasive action of clay may sound like a good idea, but there's no evidence that this works to remove stains or keep your teeth clean. Save the clay for a face mask.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is excellent for your digestive health, but not for your teeth. The strong acids can wear away the lining and reduce the overall strength of your teeth. If you have cracks, chips, dental work, or receding gums, the apple cider vinegar can increase the breakdown of your teeth.

Activated Charcoal

After gaining popularity in the past couple of years, there's no evidence that activated charcoal will whiten your teeth. The whole premise is that it pulls out toxins and the chemicals that are staining your teeth, but independent studies show there is no visual difference when using activated charcoal.

We hope you get the first couple home remedies to try and find the results you're looking for. Using a gentler, slower method can be safer for your teeth and less startling to look at.