Cheap, Healthy Ways to Whiten Teeth at Home

Looking for ways to whiten your teeth? You could pay to have your teeth whitened professionally, but many of us can't afford it. The good news is that you don't have to. Here are inexpensive, easy, safe ways to whiten your teeth at home.

Tooth molds with whitening gel - These kits retail for about $10-$20 each. This system whitens teeth using gel-filled molds. To shape the mold to your teeth, soak it in hot water and place over teeth, top and bottom. The silicone forms to your teeth. To whiten teeth, place gel in the mold and fit silicone mold over teeth.

Tooth whitening molds are reusable. Remember to thoroughly clean tooth mold after use and store in sanitary case to prevent the spread of infection. My daughter and I have used teeth whitening molds successfully.

Teeth whitening strips - These come in professional and classic varieties. Retail prices run from $18-$30 for seven day professional or 14-day classic kits. Teeth whitening strips are made to be used consecutively for the length of treatment, but you should take a break between treatments.

My daughter has used professional and classic white strips. Many people think she has her teeth whitened professionally.

Teeth whitening pre-brush rinse - This is my favorite teeth whitening product of all. Pre-brush rinse is easy, fast, safe, effective, convenient and economical. Brand name teeth whitening pre-brush rinse costs around $4 for a 24-32 ounce bottle. Many mass retail stores carry off-brand equivalents for much less. On sale, I pay $2-$3 for a 32 ounce bottle.

Use teeth whitening pre-brush rinse every time you brush your teeth. Results are visible after one use. To whiten teeth, swish one ounce of pre-brush rinse in your mouth for one to three minutes. Brush your teeth immediately after rinsing. Pre-brush rinse whitens teeth using peroxide (and sometimes bleach) to remove stains and loosen food and tartar. Follow-up brushing cleans teeth more completely if you use a pre-brush rinse.

Baking soda and peroxide toothpaste - The best way to clean and whiten teeth is to brush regularly. Dentists recommend brushing teeth twice a day, morning and evening, using a soft bristle tooth brush. Choose a whitening toothpaste with baking soda and peroxide.

I avoid whitening products containing bleach. Bleach can damage tooth enamel with prolonged use. Occasional use may not be dangerous, but baking soda and peroxide and safer and whitens teeth just as well.

Peroxide, baking soda and salt - My husband is a smoker and swears by this easy, inexpensive teeth whitening system. Rinse mouth with peroxide as you would pre-brush rinse. Peroxide will foam up and remove trapped food and tartar. Make a paste with baking soda and salt and brush as you would with toothpaste. Rinse with mint mouth wash to cut the unpleasant taste and leave your breath fresh.

This teeth whitening system costs only pennies and works very well. Baking soda, salt and peroxide promote overall mouth and gum health, too.