6 Ways to Naturally Whiten Your Teeth by Dr. Josh Axe

Almost 18% 'usually conceal their teeth in
photos'. Having great teeth is very important in our
culture today. Do you have yellow or discolored
teeth? The sad truth is some people no matter how
many times they brush their teeth have stained
teeth from drinking coffee, tea, and or smoking. First
impressions matter in this world and having teeth
that look like you don't brush can and will send a
signal that you don't really care about yourself. Who
doesn't want to have a beautiful smile with white
sparkling teeth?
1. Brush After Drinking or Eating
The best way, but 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.
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 from staining. If this is the
case then having your teeth cleaned every three
months may be in order, besides trying some of the
natural remedies listed here.
2. Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda
This works great as a natural teeth whitener. Many
people confirm to the fact that it does make their
teeth look whiter. Mix a small amount of hydrogen
peroxide with a small amount of baking soda to make
a paste. Brush your teeth as usual, making sure you
brush those back teeth too. Hydrogen peroxide is an
anti-bacterial agent and works great as a total mouth
and gum cleaner and keeps the mouth free of germs.
Baking soda is a gritty substance like sandpaper so
be careful that you have enough hydrogen peroxide
mixed in with the soda because if you don't it can
very well scrub the enamel right off your teeth and
enamel does not grow back. The paste should not be
gritty at all, and in fact it should be a runnier paste
than a stiff paste.
3. Olive Oil
Can it be true? Olive oil to clean your teeth? Just
when you thought you heard it all, along comes olive
oil to the rescue as a teeth whitener. Some people
are attesting to their teeth becoming whiter by
applying olive oil to their teeth after they brush.
There are two ways you can apply it. Add a few drops
to your tooth brush and simple brush it on, or add
the olive oil to a corner of a clean wash cloth and rub
it on. It can't hurt to try this natural whitening tip.
Olive oil is good for you!
4. Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)
It makes sense that apple cider vinegar would
eventually remove stubborn stains on the teeth,
especially from coffee and nicotine. It has been
proven that it does work but you have to be
consistent and it takes a least a month of continuous
usage to see results. Some say that using ACV looks
like you just got your teeth professionally cleansed.
Be careful, as with all acids, it can remove the
enamel on your teeth as well. After brushing with
ACV, you will need to brush again with regular
toothpaste, preferably a non fluoride paste, or rinse
your mouth out really well.
5. Lemon or Orange Peels
There have been reports that lemon and or orange
peels will also do the trick of whitening your teeth.
Guess you don't know until you try. Here again, these
food products are very healthy and good for your
stomach but the acid content might eventually wear
away the enamel on the teeth. So if you use lemon or
orange peel always rinse afterwards to be on the safe
side. A good oral mouth rinse is hydrogen peroxide
because it keeps breath fresh by eliminating bad
breath and also is a very good bacterial agent. Use
half water and half hydrogen peroxide, swish around
in your mouth and leave in for at least a full minute.
6. Strawberries
It has been said that Catherine Zeta Jones whitens
her teeth with strawberries. Who would have
thought? Tyra Banks tried this teeth whitening trick
on her show. She simply mashed up about four or
five strawberries and rubbed this yummy mixture all
over her teeth. Tyra Banks teeth are already really
white from having them bleached so you couldn't
really tell any difference. Some people say this really
does work, and if Catherine Zeta Jones rubs her teeth
with strawberries, it must be worth giving it a try.
Some people say this works right away. Rinse well
afterwards.
Some Natural Whiteners Can Eradicate Enamel
Some teeth whiteners are just not a good idea to use,
especially lemon juice. The acid in the lemon juice
does great for bleaching clothes, hair, and getting
stains out of furniture, but you wouldn't want to put
lemon juice on your teeth every single day.
Eventually the acid creates tiny holes in your teeth
and then every kind of staining type food will seep
into these tiny holes and remain there. The acid from
the lemons is so strong it just eventually wears away
the teeth causing cavities.
Can Teeth Whitening Harm Teeth?
Apparently many people are going for the gusto to
have whiter teeth and are turning it into an
addiction. Here's what one dentist had to say about
teeth whitening strips. "There are people who can
never get enough," says New York City dentist Dr.
Irwin Smigel, president of the American Society for
Dental Aesthetics. "I've had situations where people
have needed root canals because they've
overbleached, where tissues were damaged. You can
wear away some of the enamel and your teeth will
become translucent and unnatural. They'll become
blue or blue gray."
Research has shown that teeth whitening products
can damage the teeth by removing the enamel.
Constant application of whitening strips have been
shown to cause erosion of enamel over time and
results in tooth sensitivity, especially with eating hot
and cold liquids and foods.
Bottom line is whitening strips should be used in
moderation. Teeth bleaching products should only be
used under the guidance of your dentist. The best
way to whiten teeth is by feeding your body lots of
healthy foods for strong bones, teeth and gums and
omitting coffee, tea and sugary foods in your diet. If
you smoke, stop smoking. And brush and floss your
teeth every day!

Sources: curebum.com, msnbc.msn.com,
teethwhiteningknowhow.com