How to Naturally Whiten Your Teeth at Home

Want to whiten your teeth naturally? The American Dental Association (Opens in a new tab) When people were asked what they wanted to improve most about their smiles, they reported that the best reaction was whiter teeth.While Information from Journal of Evidence-based Dental Practice (Opens in a new tab) Many people are looking for natural remedies to achieve a brighter smile, as whitening professional teeth with bleach makes a difference.

Experts agree that maintaining oral hygiene is important for healthy and clean teeth.Our guide The best electric toothbrush Brushing is easier and you can upgrade your dental routine.

Often there is a lack of evidence, but you will hear claims about how to whiten your teeth naturally. To make matters worse, some methods can cause damage. I’ve consulted an expert and looked at the science behind how to whiten teeth naturally, so help is at hand, but it can be confusing.

Dr. Safa Al-Naher, Director and Chief Dentist Gentle dentistry and facial aesthetics (Opens in a new tab)Say: “Meet the dentist and don’t bring the problem into your own hands.” The dentist will provide expert personalized advice on your options to improve the look of your smile. can do.

Also, did you know that natural smiles are often shades of yellow rather than pearly white? Our teeth are made up of three layers: enamel, dentin and pulp. The dentin in the middle layer is yellow. If the enamel is thin, the underlying dentin may be exposed. See the reference guide for more information. Are your teeth naturally yellow?

Reduce food and drinks that stain your teeth

If you are looking to whiten your teeth naturally, you will want to understand why your teeth are discolored.According to, there are intrinsic and extrinsic factors that affect the appearance of teeth American Dental Association (Opens in a new tab).. Essential factors include age and health that change the color of teeth. In this scenario, the dentist needs to prescribe tooth whitening with bleach to change the color. However, if the surface has extrinsic factors or stains, lifestyle changes can improve the appearance of the teeth.

“Avoid darker ones such as tea, coffee, red wine, turmeric, various spices and tomato sauces,” says Al-Naher. Eliminating these is not practical, but it is advisable to limit consumption.

If you’re not keen on giving up your favorite drink, here’s a nifty trick. “Use a straw to drink colored drinks to keep your teeth clean,” said the aesthetic dentist. DRMR (Opens in a new tab) Clinic. Straws reduce contact with dye components and minimize discoloration.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Quit smoking

Smoking cessation not only has a positive effect on your overall health, but it can also improve the appearance of your teeth. American Dental Association (Opens in a new tab).. Achieving a whiter smile may be the motivation you need to stop.

Smoking causes discoloration for two reasons. Nicotine turns yellow when in contact with oxygen. In addition, tar is a naturally dark substance that can cause discoloration.

The jury is out for oil pulling

You may have heard about oil pulling through social media, but its roots are in Ayurvedic folk remedies. The idea is to spit out the oil around your mouth, and spitting it out will get rid of the bacteria. Survey from 2009 Indian Journal of Dental Research (Opens in a new tab) It has been suggested that oil pulling can reduce the buildup of plaque.Still 2017 Review at Dental hypothesis (Opens in a new tab) Many studies have concluded that there is a lack of evidence behind oil pulling due to small sample sizes or defective methods.

The American Dental Association (Opens in a new tab) We do not recommend oil pulling due to the lack of data on the effectiveness and safety of oil pulling. If you’re worried that you’re out of reach, try dental floss instead.

Skip activated carbon

There is hype about the use of activated charcoal to naturally whiten teeth, does science support this?According to, activated carbon is porous and can trap chemicals Medline Plus (Opens in a new tab) According to the National Medical Library. However, experts are concerned about the safety of this method.

“The use of natural products such as strawberries, lemons, enamel and baking soda is more dangerous than profit. All of these work by cleaning the surface of the teeth and making them look white at first. With continued use, the enamel is removed. Losing the enamel does not restore it. Underneath the enamel is strawberry, which is even more yellow and sensitive, “says Lord.

Don’t miss the DIY baking soda treatment

The benefits of baking soda as a treatment for whitening teeth are naturally touted, but what’s the evidence? The baking soda should scrape off the dirt on the surface and make you smile.

One study in 1998 Journal of Clinical Dentistry (Opens in a new tab) The use of toothpaste with baking soda has been shown to whiten teeth compared to toothpaste without it. However, this is an old study and there is no evidence of the effectiveness of DIY treatment.

Some experts are concerned that baking soda is abrasive, especially when overused. The underlying yellow dentin can be exposed, which can damage your teeth and have the opposite effect. Al-Naher says, “It’s a good idea to look for a toothpaste with a slightly grainy consistency, like a tooth scrub. Don’t use a home scrub. Designed specifically for that purpose. Please use toothpaste. “

A woman who uses baking soda to naturally whiten her teeth

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Brush regularly

Do not overlook the importance of daily hygiene. The American Dental Association (Opens in a new tab) To maintain a healthy smile, it is recommended to brush twice daily for 2 minutes. Accumulation of plaque can cause surface stains. Brushing your teeth regularly can help remove this plaque and make your smile look better.

Note that you haven’t overdoed it. “Many people think that if you brush your teeth too much, your teeth will whiten, but eventually the enamel will wear out and all that remains is the yellow dentin below,” says Arnahar.

If you are looking for a way to whiten your teeth naturally, it may be helpful to brush your teeth properly and limit contact with substances that stain your teeth. Keep in mind that there is a lack of evidence for certain methods and they can do more harm than good.