One’s facial appearance can be compromised by the condition of the teeth which is the main reasons why many people are interested in whitening their teeth. Teeth may change color for various reasons, among them the meals being eaten. Another major reason why teeth change color is one’s personal habits such as drinking alcohol and smoking. These lifestyle choices have been a major contributor to changes in the color of the teeth for many unsuspecting people. However it is not the whole tooth that changes color, only the hard outer covering of the tooth which is known as enamel. One other reason why teeth change color is the genetic makeup of the person. Research has indicated that about half of the people with discolored teeth inherit these genetic factors from their parents.

Aging also affects the appearance of the teeth. As one grows older, teeth become vulnerable to substances that cause the change of the color. Other factors which change the color of teeth are trauma, injuries and exposure to minerals that contain high levels of fluoride. Teeth start changing color from one’s early age into the later years with life experience. However not all people are advised to whiten their teeth with commercial products. Expectant mothers are advised to eat a good diet for whitening the teeth since the use of the bleaching or whitening agent may cause harm to the fetus and as well as the mothers’ bodies. It is not recommended that small children whiten their teeth due to their vulnerability to the possible adverse effects of home remedies for whitening teeth.

1. Home Remedies
2. Other Remedies
3. Diet

Home remedies for Whitening Teeth

Strawberry as a Natural Remedy for Whitening Teeth

Properties: Strawberries contain some properties that help to remove the artificial outer layer of the teeth created by stains which change their color. They also have a bleaching effect that keeps teeth from staining due to smoking or drinking tea, coffee or other liquids that can discolor the teeth. Using strawberries to whiten the teeth requires some precautions as overuse of strawberries may destroy the enamel and harm the gums.

Use of Strawberry as a Cure for Discolored Teeth:

Mash fresh strawberries in a bowl to make a pasty pulp. Use the pulp to brush the teeth for a few minutes. It is advisable to use this in moderation as strawberries contain acid which may damage the teeth as well as the gums. Then rinse the teeth well after every brushing to remove any traces of the acid. This remedy should be used until the teeth turn white which may take two to three weeks.

Wood Ash as a Home Remedy for Whitening Teeth

Properties: Wood ash is one of the best and least expensive home remedies for whitening teeth. It has been used for centuries as the Chinese and the Greeks used it to whiten their teeth as well as treat toothaches. Wood ash contains potassium hydroxide which acts as a bleaching agent and a whitener. It is important to note that not all wood ash contains this property. It is best to use ashes from hardwoods.

Use of Wood Ash as a Cure for Discolored Teeth:

Make wood ash by burning a hardwood. Then sieve the ash to remove the particles that have not burnt up completely so as to keep only the fine particles. Mix the fine ash with water and brush the teeth with it. Make sure that this is done on a regular basis but not too often as this may wear out the enamel. Potassium hydroxide wears down the enamel of the teeth, so it is necessary to rinse the mouth thoroughly after brushing with wood ash.

Baking Soda as a Natural Remedy for Whitening Teeth

Properties: Baking soda is among the most widely used, most effective and least expensive home remedies for whitening teeth that has been in use for ages. Not only used as a home remedy for whitening teeth, it has also been used to kill bacteria that attack the teeth. It acts as a stain remover and is useful in removing teeth stains that have been caused by natural factors, diet and personal habits. It also helps to neutralize some acids found in food that cause tooth decay.

Use of Baking Soda as a Cure for Discolored Teeth:

Use of baking soda does not involve a lot of work as it among the simplest natural remedies for Whitening Teeth. Mix a few grams of baking powder with water and stir well. Use the solution to brush the teeth sideways to avoid harming the gums. It is very important to brush the teeth gently as rigorous brushing can cause harm and irritation to the gums. Baking soda can also be mixed with a small pinch of salt as this combination is known to perform very well in treating this condition.

Apple Cider and Vinegar as a Natural Remedy for Whitening Teeth

Properties: Although both ingredients of this remedy are bitter, it is among the most effective natural remedies for whitening teeth. This combination acts as a bleaching agent and also helps to remove stains caused by the food being eaten. This remedy also helps to kill the bacteria on the teeth that cause tooth decay. One may choose to use a sweetener with this remedy but make sure it cannot stain the teeth.

Use of Apple Cider and Vinegar as a Treatment for Discolored Teeth:

Mix both vinegar and cider with warm water in equal proportions. You can choose to add a sweetener such as sugar or honey as the solution is very bitter. Then brush your teeth sideways and try as much as possible not to brush the gums. Then rinse the mouth immediately after brushing to avoid harming the enamel.

Lemon Juice as a Natural Remedy for Whitening Teeth

Properties: Lemon juice is another effective home remedy for whitening teeth if used properly and if precautions are taken when using it. Lemon juice has bleaching and acidic properties that help to clear away any stains that may be found on the teeth. It also has properties that help to kill any bacteria on the teeth. Lemon juice is one of the ancient natural remedies for whitening teeth which is still in use today due to its effectiveness.

Use of Lemon Juice as Treatment for Discolored Teeth:

Wash the lemon fruit well and cut it into pieces. Then squeeze the juice from the pieces of fruit into a bowl using either your hands or a blender. Add a few milliliters of water to dilute the juice as using it in concentrated form may cause harm to the enamel and the gums. Apply the solution to the teeth using a clean piece of material. You can also apply the solution using a tooth brush but ensure that you do not brush the teeth or the gums. Wait for a few minutes for the bleaching effect to take place before rinsing out the mouth with plenty of water to remove any remaining lemon juice.

Licorice Root as a Home Remedy for Whitening Teeth

Properties: Licorice has been in use for a century by ancient people in Africa to whiten the teeth. It remains among the most effective and inexpensive home remedies for whitening teeth. The sap of licorice is said to have a bleaching effect that helps to maintain the original color of the teeth. Not only that, licorice stimulates production of saliva which helps to remove stains on the teeth. Saliva helps to keep the teeth wet so that stain cannot attach to the teeth.

Use of Licorice as a Cure for Discolored Teeth:

The most effective part of this herb for whitening teeth is the root. One can opt to chew parts of the roots to stimulate the production of saliva while at the same time clean the teeth. The licorice root can be used to make a natural brush and used to brush the teeth instead of using ordinary toothbrushes. Licorice not only helps in keeping teeth their original color, it helps to whiten stained teeth.

Sage as a Home Remedy for Whitening Teeth

Properties: Sage is a useful natural remedy for whitening teeth as it contains properties that are very helpful to one’s dental system. First and foremost, sage acts as a bleacher and helps to whiten stained teeth. The herb has also some astringent properties that help to remove the outer layer of the teeth which has been stained. Sage also acts as an antifungal and an antibiotic to prevent tooth decay. Sage is among the top-ranked home remedies for treatment of this condition as well as any condition affecting the dental system.

Use of Sage as a Cure for Discolored Teeth:

Sage does not require a lot of processing to make it effective. Wash sage leaves well with clean water. Make a mixture of the crushed sage leaves with either baking soda or an ordinary tooth paste. Use the mixture to brush the teeth for a few days after which the desired effects can be seen. You can also opt to brush your teeth with the sage leaves which are also effective. Sage not only helps to whiten the teeth, it will also make teeth strong and healthy due to its other properties.

Raisins as a Home Remedy for Whitening Teeth

Properties: Raisins acts indirectly by inducing the production of saliva in the mouth which helps to remove stains from the teeth. The saliva keeps the teeth wet thus making it hard for stain to attach itself to a wet surface. Raisins also act as a bleaching agent on the teeth. Although raisins are among the best natural remedies for whitening teeth, they are not commonly used as such.

Use of Raisin as a Treatment for Discolored Teeth:

There is no formula for using raisins as a treatment for whitening teeth other than chewing them. Just chew a few seeds at regular intervals throughout the day although one can choose to chew them after every meal as tooth staining occurs during this time. It is also recommended not to eat a lot of raisins due to their sugar content which can lead to tooth decay.

Other Natural Remedies for Whitening Teeth

Another important home remedy for whitening teeth is the apple. It is advisable to eat apples regularly as they have a bleaching effect. They can also be used as part of a diet for this condition due to the presence of malic acid which acts as a bleaching agent.

Sea salt is another important natural remedy for improving the appearance of the teeth as they contain acidic properties that help to remove stains from the teeth. Add a few pinches of sea salt to water and mix well before brushing the teeth with it. Vinegar can also be added to increase its efficiency. It is also very important not to overuse sea salt due to the fact that it can cause tooth decay and increase tooth sensitivity.

There is also proof that olive oil can be used to polish, brighten and whiten the teeth. Although this remedy is not among the commonly used natural remedies for this condition, it has shown some positive results. Soak a clean cloth with olive oil and then wipe the teeth with it. Then rinse out the mouth to remove any traces of oil that may be left behind.

Orange peel is also a useful natural remedy for treating this condition due the presence of a bleaching substance in the peel. Simply peel the fruit and rub the underside of the peel against the teeth. The effectiveness of the orange peel can be increased by using it together with bay leaves.

Diet for Whitening Teeth

The best way to keep the teeth from turning color is by avoiding foodstuff that causes this condition. Some of these are coffee, red wine, black tea, blue berries and soy sauce among others. Milk is recommended as part of a good diet for this condition as it contains lactic acid which helps to clear away any stains on the teeth. Not only that, milk is also used as a treatment for many other dental conditions.

Crunchy cabbages and vegetables are also part of a good diet for eliminating this condition and have been in use for a long time. Most of the vegetables have high fiber content which not only stimulates the production of the saliva but also whitens the teeth. Vegetables such as carrot and cauliflower have been ranked as the best vegetables in a diet for whitening teeth.

It is also good to note that some of these natural remedies can cause damage to the gum and the cavities if overused. It is also very important to note that not all fruits should be used in a diet for curing this condition due to the fact that some fruits contain acids harmful to the teeth and gums.