How to Naturally Brighten your Teeth

An average dental office visit to have your teeth whiten can cost around $300 or more while you can expect to pay $50 or more for a good on the market teeth whitener kit and even though the chemicals used in these products are said to be safe, they’re certainly not natural. Brightening your teeth naturally is less expensive and a much safer alternative to the above options.

If you’re really concerned about stained teeth you should limit your intake on foods and drinks that can leave stains on your teeth. Berries, tea and coffee are all guilty of leaving dark stains on teeth. If you must have these, brush your teeth immediately after eating or drinking them. Smoking is another big culprit for staining teeth. You can limit your intake on this, but you’re better off just giving it up if you can.

If you’d prefer something a little more convenient, there are natural teeth-whitening toothpastes on the market. Be sure to read the labels, however. Products that are labeled natural should only contain herbs and minerals. Avoid those that contain aspartame or other “unnatural ingredients.” You can find natural teeth-whitening toothpastes at your natural health store and some local and discount stores that carry dental care products.

Strawberries contain an enzyme that actually whitens your teeth. To Use: Mash a strawberry and rub onto your teeth using your fingers. Rinse and then floss to remove the seeds.

Baking soda has been used for years to help brighten teeth. To Use: Dip your toothbrush into a small amount of baking soda and brush teeth thoroughly. Brushing with baking soda after ever meal can whiten your teeth in about two months. To remove stains a little more effectively, you can add a little salt with the baking soda.

Using hydrogen peroxide when brushing your teeth has also been known to whiten. To Use: Dip your toothbrush in a small amount of the peroxide and brush thoroughly. Rinse with water after brushing and with regular use, you should see results in a few months.

A combination of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide is said to be one of the best home remedies for whitening teeth. To Use: Add a few drops of peroxide to a teaspoon of baking soda to make a paste. Brush thoroughly with the paste and rinse afterwards with water.

Lemon Juice contains a natural bleaching agent that can whiten teeth. To Use: Mix lemon juice and a teaspoon of salt to make a paste. Brush with the paste and rinse thoroughly afterwards with water. For a more effective combination you can mix a paste of baking soda and lemon juice together instead of the salt.

Although not too tasty, a combination of apple cider vinegar and baking soda makes a good whitener as well. To Use: Mix apple cider with a teaspoon of baking soda to form a paste. Brush with the paste and rinse thoroughly with water, afterwards.

Orange peels and bay leaves can brighten teeth. To Use: Grind bay leaves and orange peel together and then dip your toothbrush in the mixture. Brush thoroughly and rinse with water afterwards. Rubbing the inner side of an orange peel over teeth can whiten teeth as well.

Crunchy foods like apples, celery, carrots and broccoli are naturally abrasive and act as a whitener when eaten regularly.

While the above are all natural remedies for brightening your teeth, please keep in mind that as with any product, over-use of these ingredients can eventually cause damage to your teeth and gums. Use them on a regular basis, but you them in moderation.

Source: www.carefair.com