As a coffee and red wine enthusiast, I’m always looking for ways to keep my teeth as white as possible. But store-bought teeth whitening products, while effective, have their drawbacks. I hate the gummy chemical texture of whitening strips, and I can never shake the paranoid feeling that the chemicals are nibbling away at my tooth enamel. Luckily, over the past year I’ve found a few home teeth whitening tricks that have totally brightened up my smile without giving me the heebie-jeebies.
The best thing about these home teeth whitening tricks is that you probably already have the ingredients to try one out tonight!
Baking Soda and Peroxide
A friend introduced me to this DIY teeth whitening trick last year, and I’ve been spreading the word ever since. The results are immediate, and the quick two-step system leaves your mouth feeling super clean and fresh.
Step 1: Brush your teeth with baking soda.
You can apply baking soda to a wet toothbrush or mix it with water in the palm of your hand until you have a paste. But if the taste bothers you, you can blend it with a dab of toothpaste to keep things nice and minty. Be sure to brush for a full minute.
Step 2: Rinse your mouth with peroxide.
Use a mouthful of hydrogen peroxide in lieu of mouthwash. That might sound odd, but it’s really not. Again, if you don’t like the taste, you can mix it with some regular mouthwash to add a little flavor. Swish for a good minute and you’re all set!
Try this over a period of three to five days, and you’ll be surprised by how much brighter your teeth look. But don’t be tempted to use it on the daily. Both ingredients are abrasive, so you should only do this regimen for a few days at a time, and only every few months.
Apple Cider Vinegar Boost
Apple cider vinegar is one of the simplest ways to whiten your teeth at home. All you do is brush your teeth with it.
Step 1: Dip a toothbrush in apple cider vinegar. I like to feel a little more going on when I brush my teeth. Add some baking soda and you’ll have a simple apple cider vinegar toothpaste you can go to town with.
Step 2: Brush for two minutes. Rinse clean and you’re done.
You can whiten your teeth with apple cider vinegar once a week, but it is acidic, so don’t go harder than that! Even natural teeth whitening methods should be used in moderation. If it’s strong enough to give such fast results, it’s too strong to use it every day.
Banana Peel Whitening
Hold that banana peel! It’s an excellent natural home teeth whitening tool. The inside of a banana peel is rich in potassium and contains lots of minerals like magnesium and manganese. When absorbed into your tooth enamel, these minerals have a healthy whitening effect. Next time you have a ripe banana at hand, save the peel and brighten up.
Step 1: Brush and floss as usual.
Step 2: Peel a banana.
Step 3: Rub the inside of the peel against your teeth. Keep up the banana tooth massage for two minutes, then rinse clean.
You can do this as often as you want, so get ready to explain your new banana ritual to your friends and family.
Let us know which one of these DIY teeth whitening tricks you try at home!
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