Many people admit that they hide their teeth when having their picture taken because they’re embarrassed about their teeth. Having healthy, good-looking teeth is important in our culture, and millions of Americans spend billions of dollars every year on their teeth.
And why not? Your teeth are the first thing people notice when they meet you. First impressions mean everything and healthy looking teeth give off the vibe that you’re a healthy person and the exact opposite vibe for unhealthy looking teeth.
One of the best ways to make a good impression is to have your teeth looking as white as possible. Here are some interesting ways to whiten your teeth:
#1
Our culture is becoming increasingly fascinated with white teeth. With ‘news’ stories in front of us everyday showing us celebrities with their shiny, very white teeth, it seems that so many of us these days want to have an ultra white smile too.
The sad truth is that some people, no matter how many times they brush their teeth, have stained teeth from habits like drinking coffee or tea and/or smoking. Oftentimes yellow- or brown-tinted teeth can also point to a larger problem: unhealthy gums, thinning enamel and overall poor dental hygiene. Whitening the teeth alone won’t help protect the teeth or gums from cavities or diseases, such as gingivitis — so while white teeth are certainly a nice thing to have, it helps to keep things in perspective.
#2 Why Do Teeth Turn Yellow?
Though not as urgent as other dental conditions, yellow teeth can cost you your confidence and willingness to smile every day. Luckily, improving the color of your teeth can be as simple as changing what you eat and drink while polishing your oral care routine.
Here are some common causes of this undesirable tinge:
1. Genetics
Sometimes, tooth color runs in the family. If one of your parents’ teeth are yellow, it’s likely that yours are a similar hue.
2. Dentin
Teeth look yellow when the enamel is thin and the dentin underneath shows through it. Dentin is a deep yellow to brownish material inside your teeth under the enamel, and it’s often responsible for the yellow you see when you look in the mirror.
3. Wear
Teeth ultimately turn yellow as you get older, when enamel wears away from chewing and exposure to acids from food and drink. Most teeth turn yellow as this enamel thins with age, but some take on a grayish shade when mixed with a lasting food stain.
4. Smoking
Nicotine from smoking doesn’t just develop an unhealthy addiction; it leaves yellowish or brownish surface stains on your teeth, too (one more reason to kick the habit).
5. Drinks
Coffee and tea are two of the most common causes of yellow teeth, but red and white wine are also to blame. Other culprits include dark and light sodas and sports drinks with artificial flavoring.
#3 Brush After Drinking or Eating
The best way to whiten your teeth naturally, however not always the easiest, is to simply brush your teeth after eating or drinking something. This takes a lot of persistence and can even be kind of difficult depending on where you are at the time of eating (such as work or school).
Most food does not stain teeth, but if you are a coffee drinker or if you smoke, you can pretty much count on having discolored teeth over time due to thinning enamel and/or staining.
If you do regularly drink staining beverages, do so through a straw and try to cut back. Try to drink more plain water after eating or drinking something staining or acidic to help reduce the negative effects.
#4 Oil pulling
Hands down, our favorite whitening strategy is oil pulling. Just in case you aren’t familiar with oil pulling, here’s an article we wrote several years ago detailing this ‘old school’ detox protocol.
The reason oil pulling is our favorite solution for naturally whitening our teeth is because unlike so many whitening strategies that have risks of damaging enamel and gum tissue, oil pulling actually helps reduce tooth decay and gingivitis.
The downside to oil pulling is it does take some time as the protocol does traditionally suggest 20 minutes of actively swishing oil around your mouth.
The reason oil pulling works to help whiten teeth is similar to what oil is doing in your car’s engine. Think about it. When the oil in your car is changed, the clean oil going in is, well, clean. And the used oil that leaves your car is all gunky. That gunk is any waste from the engine running being gathered up and removed from the engine by the oil.
The same goes for oil pulling. It’s been scientifically proven that oil pulling helps to stop gum disease. And if you use coconut oil, you’ll lower your risk of tooth decay too. A component of coconut oil, called monolaurin, has shown to be a very effective antimicrobial on the main bug implicated with tooth decay.
#5 Activated charcoal
Activated charcoal is a highly absorbent substance. It removes toxins when they adhere to the surface of the charcoal. It is not absorbed by the body, but passes through the GI system, so chemicals and toxins adhere to it, which then pass through the body and are expelled by the digestive system.
Dip a clean, wet toothbrush into the powdered charcoal (or dump a capsule of charcoal on the toothbrush). Lean over the container of charcoal and quickly put the charcoal covered toothbrush in the mouth (this is to protect your sink). Brush in small, gentle circles for 2 minutes, spit carefully and rinse really well.
Your mouth will feel amazingly clean…. your sink, not so much! Use as often as needed.
#6 Brush With Baking Soda
Baking soda has natural whitening properties, which is why it’s a popular ingredient in commercial toothpaste.
It’s a mild abrasive that can help scrub away surface stains on teeth.
Additionally, baking soda creates an alkaline environment in your mouth, which prevents bacteria from growing.
Science has not yet proven that brushing with plain baking soda will whiten your teeth, but several studies show that toothpaste with baking soda has a significant whitening effect.
One study found that toothpastes containing baking soda were significantly more effective at removing yellow stains from teeth than standard toothpastes without baking soda. The higher the concentration of baking soda, the greater the effect
Furthermore, a review of five studies found that toothpastes containing baking soda removed plaque from teeth more effectively than non-baking soda toothpastes.
*To use this remedy, mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda with 2 teaspoons of water and brush your teeth with the paste. You can do this a few times per week.
Note: Brushing with a paste made with baking soda and water can reduce bacteria in your mouth and buff away surface stains.
#7 Turmeric
Turmeric teeth whitening is a rather controversial remedy considering its yellow color and the fact that it stains anything it comes in contact with. However, you’ll be surprised to learn that it is an age old teeth whitening remedy that is widely used. Other than its use as a teeth whitener, it also benefits the teeth by cleansing gums and treat gum infections such as gingivitis.
Turmeric Teeth Whitening Paste
1.Mix one table spoon of turmeric powder with an equal amount of water to make a thick paste.
2.Use the paste to brush your teeth gently for 3- 4 minutes
3.Spit and rinse until the water coming out is clear repeat this regularly to achieve fast results. Turmeric taste awful and will stain your brush but that will be a small price to pay for white and sparking teeth that you will get after using it.
4.It may also be used in some commercial products i.e. oil pulling products that contains turmeric.
#8 lemon
Lemon is a great source of vitamin C that lightens the teeth. It acts as a bleaching agent that clears the yellow discoloration.
It contains citric acid that stimulates the saliva production which cleanses the mouth.
The acidic and anti-bacterial properties of lemon juice help to kill mouth bacteria, give brighter teeth and prevent several oral diseases.
The natural sweet smell of lemon juice helps to freshen the mouth.
You can use lemon either by gargling or scrubbing your teeth with lemon peel
1. Lemon
*Mix 1 teaspoon of water with 1 teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
*Use this to brush your teeth for a minute thoroughly.
*Wash with water and brush your teeth with your regular toothpaste.
*Or apply it on the teeth with your fingers and leave on for 5 – 10 minutes.
*Make sure to rinse your mouth with clean water
*Repeat twice a week.
2. Lemon Peel
*Peel a lemon and apply this lemon peel on he teeth.
*Rub it all over the teeth for a minute or two then rinse with water.
*Continue doing this process regularly.
*Or blend lemon peel with water to make a fine paste.
*Use this to brush your teeth then rinse off thoroughly with clean water
*Repeat three times a week.
#9 Strawberries
Can strawberries really whiten teeth?!
Yes, it is true that strawberries can make your teeth white because of their acid content.
Take a fresh strawberry, and crush it with a spoon. Mix it with the finest sea salt you can find (try grinding it in a coffee grinder), put the resulting paste on a toothbrush, and lightly massage your teeth for a few minutes. Then rinse your mouth thoroughly. To protect your enamel, do this no more often than once every 2 weeks.
#10 Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial property which cures many gum diseases and kills oral cavities and whitens the teeth.
Process:
1.Squeeze the juice from a fresh aloe Vera leaf.
2.Add vegetable glycerin and optionally baking soda, stir well to form a paste.
3.Use this paste for cleaning your teeth.
4.Leave this gel on the teeth for few minutes.
5.Wash your mouth completely to remove the aloe Vera gel.
6.Regular follow this method to clear yellow sting on teeth.
#11 Orange Peel
Vitamin C and calcium in the orange peel fight with micro-organisms in teeth to get relief from the problem. You can use fresh orange peel or dried orange peel powder.
All you have to do is
1.Peel the skin off an orange and dry in the shade for few minutes.
2.Rub it on the yellow teeth for few minutes at night.
3.Regularize this rubbing process.
H/T iLyke
Sassy Liberty 
Max Tucker