Natural Ways to Whiten Teeth

No matter how well you look after your teeth and how strict you are about dental hygiene, teeth can start to lose their whiteness as the years go by. Starchy foods, tea, coffee, red wine and smoking (if you are a smoker) can all stain teeth and take the shine off the aesthetics of a smile.

Because some of the many teeth whitening products on the market contain strong chemicals like bleach which can eat away the tooth's enamel, many people prefer not to go down this road. More natural methods of whitening teeth can seem like and often are a less caustic option. Even so it must be said that what some consider to be natural ways to bring the gleam back into their smile can also eat away at the enamel if used without care. Be sensible, therefore, and consider the cons as well as the pros of any product you might choose.

There are a number of popular home methods to whiten teeth. These include very simple techniques such as rubbing the inside of an orange peel over the surface of the teeth. Dried Bay leaves mixed with dried orange peel can also help whiten discoloured teeth. Brushing regularly with bi-carbonate of soda and water can be an excellent whitener as can be lemon juice or a crushed strawberry mixed with baking powder.

Brushing teeth gently with a small amount of baking soda on your toothbrush or mixing baking soda with salt as a toothpaste can be a great natural whitener. Baking soda helps remove stains and has anti-acid properties which protects teeth from plaque.

Now as natural as many of these methods might be, there are the drawbacks to consider and these should not be taken lightly. Regularly using lemon juice and orange peel as a natural way to whiten teeth does indeed work as the citric acid eats the calcium which gives teeth an off-white colour. But Calcium is also needed to keep teeth strong and therefore regular use of these methods can make your teeth more vulnerable to decay. Other harmful acids in food which can attack the enamel include: pineapple, tomatoes, vinegar, kiwi fruit and grapefruit.

Prevention can be better than cure. To look after your teeth, brush and floss twice a day. Visit your dentist regularly for checkups. Rinse mouth with water after eating or end your meal with antacid foods such as cheese and nuts. To help keep your teeth white, minimise your intake of carbohydrates such as white flour and sugar. Apples are also a great source for helping to keep your smile bright.

Sources

http://www.edubook.com/how-to-make-your-teeth-whiter/11320/

http://hubpages.com/hub/Find-out-how-to-make-teeth-whiter

http://www.whitenteeth.net/

http://www.yournaturalteethwhitening.com/