Many people hide their teeth in photos, and being self-conscious about their smile. The main culprit? Stained and discoloured teeth. Of course, it's common knowledge that your teeth can be whiter if you brush every time you eat, but who has time? Another tried and true standby is to give up all tooth staining foods like coffee, tea or wine.
So, what's a person to do who can't visit the dentist every three months for expensive treatments? Believe it or not, there are a wide variety of natural methods for whitening your teeth that really do work.
Coconut Oil
This seemed like a fad at first when it took the internet by storm a few months ago. Everyone and their mother was oil pulling to remove toxins from their body every morning. However, those who have stuck with this practice have revealed another effect: whiter, brighter teeth!
To try, simply grab a spoonful of coconut oil and swish it around your mouth for a few minutes in the morning. It can take some getting used to, but when you spit out the oil into the trash, a portion of the tooth staining debris and bacteria will go into the bin with it. If you're squeamish about oil pulling, try placing some on your toothbrush along with your toothpaste and go to town.
Baking Soda
Another, more time tested method for whitening your teeth naturally is to brush on a mixture of baking soda and peroxide. Be careful with this method, as your tooth enamel will not grow back if rubbed off, and baking soda is quite caustic! You're looking for a smooth mixture with absolutely no grittiness to it. This will definitely make your teeth whiter, so don't feel like you need to scrub extra hard for an effect. If you notice increased tooth sensitivity, discontinue this method.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Another nifty natural cure that has an added bonus of whitening your teeth is apple cider vinegar. Health enthusiasts tout this as a great energy drink and detoxifier, but for teeth whitening it couldn't get more simple: just brush with raw apple cider onto your teeth for a few minutes as you would with your toothpaste. Then, brush the vinegar off. It's very important to remove the vinegar with regular toothpaste, as it is also caustic and can eat away at tooth enamel.
Find your favourite of these three methods, and you'll be smiling bright and white in photographs in no time! For more information, contact clinics like Bath Street Dental Practice.
Share4 August 2015
As a retired dentist, I work with charities which visit developing countries and educate children about dental care. It gives me great satisfaction to revisit these communities and see how proud the children are of their efforts. I am acutely aware that good dental hygiene can help prevent a range of serious conditions when these children become older. I started this blog because it greatly distresses me that many people in Australia do not seem to care for their teeth as much as children in these poor communities. This is happening despite ready access to items like toothbrushes and toothpaste which are luxuries in the places I visit. It is my hope that this blog encourages you not to take dental health for granted. My greatest wish is that you can be as inspired as the children I see in my charity work. Please read on and enjoy.
