There are many different reasons why your teeth become yellow over time. Obvious reasons include not brushing enough or not seeing your dentist twice a year for deep cleaning, but some yellowing can be hereditary. Enamel can be translucent, especially if you were born with thin enamel. This allows the yellowish color of your dentin to show through. Teeth can also become stained over time due to the things you eat and drink. 

No matter the cause, people are always trying to make their teeth whiter, (in 2020 more than 37 million American’s used teeth whiteners) but some worry that the chemicals in whitening products can cause long-term issues. Here are 6 natural ways you can brighten your smile:

1. Lemon, Orange, or Banana peels. There have never been studies done on the effects of these fruit peels and teeth color, but many people have reported whiter smiles thanks to the citric acid found in their peels. There’s no risk to trying it out, tested or not, so why not?
2. Oil Pulling. Oil pulling is the practice of rinsing your mouth out with oil to remove the bad bacteria and toxins in your mouth. It is often associated with the traditional medicine system in India. Getting rid of the bad bacteria can help brighten your teeth. It is also connected to gum health, reduced inflammation, and may help prevent cavities. Most people opt for coconut oil for its thinner consistency and pleasant taste.
3. Activated Charcoal. Activated charcoal is used medically in many different ways. It’s known for being able to bind harmful toxins, so it is used to counteract overdoses and stop several types of poisons. There are many different dental products that include activated charcoal, but if you want to make your own, you can open a capsule and mix it with water to brush. Activated charcoal has not been ADA approved and there is some concern that its texture may be harmful to the teeth, so use with caution.
4. Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda. Hydrogen peroxide is a natural bleach that kills bad bacteria. Many different kinds of toothpaste and commercial whitening products include it. Baking soda is also known to have teeth whitening properties. Mixing the two together creates a paste-like texture that you can brush on your teeth. If you don’t want to make your own, studies have proven that toothpaste with hydrogen peroxide and baking soda makes teeth whiter. The at-home mixture may be harmful if swallowed, so we recommend opting for an ADA-approved toothpaste using these same ingredients.
5. Apple Cider Vinegar. Apple cider vinegar has been known to reduce stains and plaque build-up on teeth as it’s a natural bleaching agent. Try gargling with it – straight, or diluted with water – before you brush. Again, it hasn’t been proven, but people seem to be happy with the results.
6. Go to the Dentist and Brush Your Teeth. Okay. This may seem like an obvious answer, but we would be remiss if we didn’t advocate for the importance of keeping up your oral hygiene and visiting us regularly. Brushing your teeth, flossing, and getting cleanings twice a year help keep plaque away and make your teeth shine bright. Schedule an appointment with us today!