Have you let your coffee addiction get the best of your pearly whites? A dazzling smile can be your best asset, and even if you’re not a coffee drinker, stained teeth can be hard to avoid. Coffee, turmeric, tea, red wine, or any highly pigmented food will discolor your teeth over time. Professional teeth whitening is expensive and is done with chemicals, which can sometimes damage your enamel. Thankfully, there are natural remedies that can help you achieve a whiter and brighter smile.
Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal has taken the skincare and wellness industry by storm and can be found in almost anything, from face wash to toothpaste. It is a naturally occurring carbon that removes tough stains from your teeth. Some say it is too strong to be used on your teeth, but in moderation or incorporated into toothpaste it is safe and effective. If you decide to use charcoal, make sure to not scrub the raw powder into your teeth.
Brush with baking soda
There is a reason why baking soda is found in almost every toothpaste product. Although you won’t see results immediately, baking soda has naturally occurring whitening properties. Not only can it get rid of stains on your teeth, it also helps prevent bacteria from growing in your mouth. To properly whiten your teeth with baking soda, mix one teaspoon of baking soda with water, and use the resulting paste like toothpaste.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide has been used as a teeth whitener for decades. It is considered a mild bleach that works wonders at removing teeth stains. The best way to use hydrogen peroxide as a teeth whitener is to mix a tablespoon with enough baking soda to make a paste. Treat this high-powered whitening duo like regular toothpaste. This should not be done often as it can cause tooth sensitivity.
Oil Pulling
Oil Pulling is an ancient Indian practice where you swish oil (typically sunflower or coconut oil) around your mouth to get rid of bacteria. When bacteria accumulates on your teeth, they turn into plaque, which can cause a number of issues, from yellow teeth to gum disease.
And don’t forget how important it is to…
Brush your teeth regularly
The best way to avoid yellow teeth is to make sure you are brushing your teeth properly and regularly. If you brush your teeth regularly and you are still experiencing stained teeth, try brushing between meals throughout the day.
Change your diet
You don’t need to make any drastic changes, but limiting foods that are known to stain teeth will drastically improve your smile. This includes coffee, red wine, soda, dark berries, and tobacco. If you can’t resist coffee every day, try drinking iced coffee out of a straw so it has less contact with your teeth. Limiting your sugar intake will also help reduce plaque, which holds on to stains.