Pearly whites: Simple home remedies for a sparkling white smile

There are many reasons behind your teeth losing their white colour or turning dull.

Certain foods, for example, can stain your enamel while plaque build-up can also make your teeth look yellow.

Below are some natural ways to whiten your teeth without the chemicals found in commercial tooth-whitening products.

Coconut oil

The practice of “oil pulling” involves swishing coconut oil around in your mouth for 15 minutes daily, with the aim of removing bacteria and decreasing the amount of plaque build-up.

To oil pull, put a tablespoon of coconut oil in your mouth and push and pull the oil through your teeth. After pulling spit the oil into a toilet and not down the sink to avoid clogging your sink drain.

Coconut oil is suitable for oil pulling as it has a pleasant taste and other health benefits. Unlike whitening products, coconut oil is safe to use daily as it doesn’t expose your teeth to acids or other harmful ingredients.

Baking soda

Baking soda, also known as bicarbonate of soda, is a popular ingredient in toothpaste because of its natural whitening properties.

Scrubbing your teeth with baking soda helps to remove stains from teeth while preventing bacteria from forming in your mouth. Mix a teaspoon of baking soda with water to form a paste and brush with it a few times a week for whiter teeth.

Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar can be used as a mouthwash weekly to help whiten your teeth. Mix apple cider with water and swish it in your mouth for several minutes, then spit it out and rinse your mouth with regular water.

However, this is acidic and overuse of apple cider can erode your teeth enamel, so limit its usage to once a week at most.

Fruits and vegetables

While it will not whiten your teeth directly, a diet rich in fruit and vegetables is good for your body and for general health.

Chewing raw fruits and vegetables is one traditional tip to rub away plaque. Strawberries and pineapples are popular fruits linked to teeth whitening.

Smash a fresh strawberry and mix it with baking soda to form a paste and brush it onto your teeth. Limit the use of strawberry paste to once or twice a week to avoid enamel damage.

Limit these foods and drinks

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Certain foods and drinks can stain your teeth so limit the amount of time these can come into contact with your teeth.

• For example, coffee and red wine can discolour your teeth, as can certain fizzy soft drinks. Drink sodas with a straw and brush your teeth immediately after drinking or eating.
• Additionally, avoid smoking and chewing tobacco as this can cause tooth discolouration.
• Reduce your sugar intake as too much sugar can cause plaque formation and gum disease.
• Eat calcium-rich foods to protect your teeth from enamel erosion.

Last but not least, don’t forget to brush and floss your teeth on a regular basis.