People associate a bright smile with youth and health.
Our smiles are one of the first things the world notices about us. People associate a bright smile with youth and good health. While teeth were never meant to be totally white, they tend to darken with age. Cracks in the enamel and loss of density inside the tooth allow the absorption of food colors. According to AllBusiness.com, Americans spend $1 billion a year on everything from bleaching to veneers, all in an effort to have whiter teeth. Fortunately, there are a number of home remedies that can help us to regain our bright smiles.
Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide
Mix baking soda with a little bit of hydrogen peroxide to create a toothpaste-like consistency. Be careful not to use too much hydrogen peroxide as it can cause your gums to burn. Use the mixture as you would your usual toothpaste.
Strawberries
Strawberries contain natural teeth whitening agents. Either rub the strawberry against your teeth, mash it up to be used like a regular toothpaste, or mash it up and add a little baking soda. Because strawberries contain sugar and acids, brush with regular toothpaste immediately after using the strawberry scrub.
Wood Ash
Beautytipsonline.com recommends brushing teeth with wood ash because it contains potassium hydroxide, a bleaching compound. Apply it directly to your toothbrush or mix with a little toothpaste. However, do not use it often as wood ash can wear down tooth enamel.
Lemon Juice and Salt
Mix the juice from a freshly cut lemon with a pinch of salt. Apply mixture to teeth and allow it to sit for 15 minutes for a brighter smile.
Bay Leaf and Orange Peel
Grind dried orange peels to a powder and mix with powdered dry bay leaves. Rub the mixture on your teeth.
Foods That Whiten Teeth
Celery, carrots, apples and pears trigger saliva, which scrubs away stains on your teeth, according to WebMD.com. Saliva is also known to neutralize the acid that causes tooth decay, an added bonus.
Sugar Free Gum
While we might not associate sugar free gum with whiter teeth, chewing it does help remove small pieces of food while producing the saliva that neutralizes the acid that causes tooth decay.
Floss
Floss on a daily basis to rid your smile of stain-causing substances that get caught between your teeth.
