Having white teeth means smiling more confidently. Most people search far and wide for the best ways to whiten their teeth. They often turn to their local pharmacy or dentist to find a solution that will work for them, especially if they have quite a bit of staining or discoloration. However, for those who are just looking to brighten their teeth and would like to try some natural remedies, here are 5 of the most common ways in which people can successfully whiten their teeth.
1. Use a Coconut Oil Rinse
We’ve all heard people proclaim the wonders of coconut oil to help pretty much everything from dry skin to weight loss (though the reports on those claims are mixed). Add yet another potential benefit to the list of wonderful things that coconut oil can do. Lauric acid, which is found in coconut oil, can help rid your teeth of bacteria found in plaque that can cause tooth discoloration. There are lots of types of coconut oil on the market, so it’s best to do a bit of research to find the one that you think tastes best. After all, you’ll need to flush it around your teeth for around 10 minutes to get the best results so it’s better if you like the taste.
2. Brush with Activated Charcoal
This is a hugely popular method with even though it might sound strage. It’s a bit counterintuitive to brush a black substance all over your teeth with the aim of making them whiter. Still, it is so popular because a lot of people claim that brushing their teeth with activated charcoal makes their teeth whiter and brighter compared to before. Activated charcoal is a highly absorbent porous substance, which binds to the tannins that stain teeth and cause discoloration. If you have a lot of surface stains on your teeth, it makes sense that they are going to be dull or yellow. Using a substance that binds to those stains and removes them is a great and natural way to get rid of the dulled appearance your teeth may currently have.
Pro tip: you should probably get a separate toothbrush for your charcoal scrubs. Otherwise you might end up with slightly blackened teeth every time you use your toothpaste. Another alternative is to use some activated charcoal whitening strips, as a less messy option.
3. Eat Healthily 
While an apple a day might not keep the doctor away, many people use crunchy fruits and vegetables to help keep their teeth white. Crunchy fruit and vegetable help to remove bacteria and excess food from your mouth as you eat them. So not only are they a healthy choice for your diet, they also help wipe away the harmful buildup of bacteria that can dull and damage your teeth.
4. Stop Smoking
You want to keep your teeth white and improve your overall health? Stop smoking today and you’ll start noticing the difference. Smoking causes your teeth to be dull, stained, and even yellow or brown. These off-putting physical effects pale in comparison to the damage that smoking can do to your overall health including your gums. The simplest and most natural way to whiten your teeth is to stop adding to the yellow buildup that smoking causes.
5. Try Apple Cider Vinegar
Rubbing apple cider vinegar on your teeth might just sound like the beginning of trouble. However, Axe shares that this method works as apple cider “contains compounds including acetic acid, potassium, magnesium, probiotics and enzymes, which kill germs (dangerous ‘bad’ bacteria) and at the same time foster the growth of beneficial ‘good’ probiotic bacteria”. Once again, we see that the basic principle is removing the bacteria that erodes the enamel on your teeth and keeps them protected. Killing bad bacteria will keep your teeth healthy and strong for longer, but the debate rages on among fans of the apple cider vinegar method and those who say that they have not seen a significant whitening result. You’ll have to try it for yourself and see if the stains on your teeth respond well to this whitening method.
While there might be many more natural remedies for tooth whitening out there, it is always best to consult your dentist before choosing and trying out any method that you are unsure of. Your dentist will be able to tell you whether or not the whitening method you have identified is a good choice for you and if your teeth are strong and healthy. It is also really important to maintain a healthy brushing routine to ensure that your teeth are always at their peak health which will start you on your path to the best smile possible.
