We all want pearly white teeth, but not everyone can stand the harsh chemicals in whitening gels and strips. If simply brushing your teeth isn’t working out, try these easy natural ways to achieve your best and brightest smile.
1. Brush your teeth with baking soda once a week.
Baking soda has whitening properties that can help scrub away superficial stain on teeth. A study showed that adding baking soda to toothpaste has a significant whitening effect. Brush your teeth with baking soda mixed with toothpaste at least once or twice a week until you see a difference.
2. Rinse your mouth with apple cider vinegar.
The acetic acid in apple cider vinegar effectively kills bacteria, and has a bleaching effect on teeth. To use, dilute it with water and swish in your mouth for a few minutes then rinse again with plain water. Use this tip sparingly, as the acid in vinegar can erode the enamel on your teeth if you use it everyday.
3. Eat raw fruits and vegetables.
Eating crunchy food like raw fruits and vegetables can keep your teeth clean by rubbing surface stains and plaque away. Pineapple, strawberries, apples, raw carrots, and cauliflower are great for keeping you and your teeth healthy.
4. Brush your tongue.
Aside from giving you fresh breath, brushing your tongue can also prevent staining. The tongue accumulates bacteria which can lead to discoloration later on. Brush your tongue with a soft toothbrush and use long strokes, beginning from the very back of the tongue. Rinse your brush after every stroke to avoid re-depositing the bacteria back to your tongue.
5. Avoid food and drinks that will stain your teeth.
Our daily diet has a lot of food and drinks that can stain our teeth, so it’s best to avoid eating or drinking any of them too much. These stain-causing food and drinks include: coffee, green and black tea, soda, curry, and sweets. Greatist has an exhaustive list on food that stains your teeth and why it does. If you can’t give up any of these food and drinks though, then make sure to rinse your mouth with water within 30 minutes of consuming.