We all have that one friend who somehow has amazing, pearly, sparkling white teeth (and if you’re that friend, I envy you). Maybe it’s genetics. Maybe they have excellent dental hygiene. Perhaps they invested in an expensive teeth whitening service- either way, it’s something we’re all envious of. Yes, it’s essential to make sure you practice good dental hygiene practices. But even then your teeth can be healthy but still look dull. And we don’t all have the money to whiten our teeth professionally, so how else can we do it?
There’s a ton of ways you can naturally achieve those pearly whites without breaking the bank. These are a few ways:
Oil Pulling
You’ve probably heard of oil pulling before and thought, why would I voluntarily put oil in my mouth and swish it around? Well, oil pulling has been found to improve dental health and naturally whiten teeth. Bacteria can turn into plaque, which can make your teeth more yellow. Oil pulling removes that bacteria, thus naturally whitening your teeth. The most common form of oil pulling is with coconut oil for its anti-inflammatory properties.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apply cider vinegar has many, many uses. You can use it as a salad dressing or as part of a health shot. Or, you can use it to whiten your teeth. The main component in apple cider vinegar, acetic acid, has been found to kill bacteria. That means it’s excellent for cleaning your teeth and can have a bleaching effect. However, apple cider vinegar is very acidic, so it should not be used every day.
Black Charcoal
If you’ve ever seen someone brush their teeth with black charcoal, it’s terrifying. Although this method has not been proven to have whitening effects, a lot of people have found it works. Brushing your teeth with charcoal removes toxins from your mouth, thus removing stains and whitening your teeth.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is used for its whitening properties in many situations, but it can also be used for teeth whitening. It’s generally an ingredient in toothpaste, but brushing your teeth with a mostly baking soda based toothpaste can help to whiten your teeth over time. Baking soda prevents bacteria from growing in your mouth, making it the perfect additive in toothpaste.
Avoid Certain Foods
Although this isn’t an over the night trick that’s going to give you sparkling teeth, avoiding certain foods has an impact on your teeth. Coffee, red wine, soda, and foods high in sugar aren’t great for your dental health and certainly aren’t good for keeping your teeth white. Limit the amount you eat and how many contacts they have with your teeth. If you do consume these foods, make sure you brush your teeth after to remove any remnants.
