DIY Teeth Whitening – 4 Proven Homemade Remedies for Whiter Teeth

“You have a beautiful smile” is something that every woman wants to hear. Fortunately, there are a number of treatments and techniques that can give you the whiter and brighter smile that you desire. Unfortunately, professional whitening treatments can be very expensive. Not all women are lucky enough to be able to afford to visit the dentist regularly and have stains removed and their teeth whitened. There are however, a number of home remedies that can give you amazing results and many are less expensive than a cup of coffee at Starbucks.

In order to understand how these treatments work, it is important that you understand what can dim your smile. There are certain foods that you should watch out for because they can cause your smile to look stained and dingy. If you are looking for the whitest smile, you have to limit certain foods and drinks or avoid them altogether.

What Causes Stains

Many foods have been linked to teeth stains. While you certainly do not have to avoid these foods completely, especially if some of them are your favorites, you should limit them or at least clean your teeth after having some of your favorite teeth staining treats. Aside from tobacco, which can stain more than your teeth incidentally, here are a few foods and beverages that can cause your smile to be less than celebrity grade as well:

Wine – Red wines are a leading cause of yellowing teeth. Brushing your teeth after drinking wine is essential if you want to keep stains from showing.
Tea – The British are not the only ones who enjoy a good cup of tea from time to time. Unfortunately, tea can really cause yellowing on your teeth.
Coffee – Ok, so you really need that cup of Joe first thing in the morning. This is fine, just remember to brush afterwards or if you are drinking coffee at work, rinse your mouth with clean water after you finish your last cup of the day.
Blueberries – Blueberries are great in those morning muffins but too many of them can cause blue stains on your teeth. Consider a healthier oatmeal muffin or even banana nut the next time you want a sweet treat in the morning.
Acids – Acidic foods like citrus fruits, salsa and others can cause the enamel on your teeth to weaken. This will not only cause stains but could cause structural damage as well. Limit the acid that you allow past your teeth and when you do have something in this category, rinse your teeth well after eating.

Our Best Home Whitening Recipes

Now that you know what you should avoid, you can tackle those stains that you already have. Keep in mind that age is a major factor in the appearance of your teeth. A woman in her 40s is likely to have teeth that are showing more yellow than someone in her 20s who brushes at the same frequency each day. You can however, use these recipes for great homemade whiteners no matter how old you are and get the same beautiful results.

Peroxide and Baking Soda

1 Teeth whitening solution baking sodaPeroxide and baking soda work together to remove stains and make your teeth beautifully white. There is no real trick to this recipe, you simply have to mix the ingredients together and brush your teeth. You should note that leaving peroxide on your teeth for too long can cause white spots to appear so follow the directions accurately. Avoid the gum area as well unless you want to whiten your gums, too.

Begin by mixing together 2 tablespoons of peroxide with baking soda. The paste should be about the same consistency as regular toothpaste. You can mix this together and store it in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks safely. Once you have the paste created, wet your toothbrush and add enough of the paste to cover the bristles. Brush your teeth gently for about two minutes. Rinse the toothbrush and brush your teeth with clear water for an additional 2 minutes. Rinse your mouth with warm water and if you want you can rinse with mouthwash as well. Do this twice a week and watch your smile begin to get brighter in just a few days.

Strawberries

2nd whitening solution strawberriesYou may think that strawberries are just too tasty to provide teeth whitening benefits. They are yummy when dipped in chocolate after all but the acid in them and their abrasive texture can provide you with an excellent natural teeth whitening solution. You can instantly remove stains by simply rubbing a whole strawberry across each tooth for a few seconds and then rinsing your mouth clean with water.

To make a whitening paste, simply crush 1 strawberry into a pulp and mix in ½ teaspoon of baking soda. Spread this mixture onto your teeth using a damp toothbrush and leave it there for at least 5 minutes. When the time is up, wet your toothbrush and gently clean each tooth before rinsing the solution away. You can use this recipe twice each week and see amazing results, plus it is a bit tastier than other whitening methods and much less expensive than over the counter whiteners.

Apple Cider Vinegar

3rd whitening soulution apple ciderSo, vinegar may not be what you consider tasty but have you tried some of the professional whitening kits lately? They are a bit less than tasty as well so this recipe should be perfectly fine for the taste buds. It is also one of the easiest of all home remedies for whitening your teeth and removing stains. Simply dip your toothbrush into apple cider vinegar and brush your teeth as you normally would. Because apple cider vinegar contains acids, it is best to only use this technique about once a week. If you have a lot of stains to remove you can mix a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with enough baking soda to make a thick paste. Brush your teeth with this mixture for about 2 minutes and then rinse clean.

Bananas

Bananas 4th whitening solution bananas Speaking of yummy, bananas can also be used to give you a beautifully white smile. Banana peel is a great teeth whitener and it offers a number of vitamins and minerals that are essential for healthy teeth and gums. They are inexpensive and they do not contain acids and other abrasives that could harm your teeth if you use them too much. To use banana peels for teeth whitening, simply peel a banana and rub the peel on your teeth, much like you would with a strawberry. Make sure that you are using the inside of the banana peel and continue rubbing across your teeth for 2 minutes. Brush your teeth using your regular toothpaste and enjoy a whiter smile. Again, because bananas are safe and healthy, they do not have to be used sparingly. You can use this method every single day until your teeth are as white as you want them to be.