Top 15 Natural Teeth Whitening Methods

'I want whiter teeth',' My teeth are yellow',' Arghh!! I hate these stains on teeth', expressions I often come across. The demand for whiter, speck-less teeth is escalating each day. But, how does one get these stains? How do teeth turn yellow? Let's familiarize ourselves with this first.

Standard culprits behind gruesome teeth stains are:

• Poor oral hygiene
• Food and Beverages- Tea, coffee, wine, sauces, candies and popsicles, soft drinks, berries etc.
• Tobacco consumption
• Medications- Tetracycline and doxycycline, stain premature teeth during childhood (Irreversible staining). Cough syrups, anti-psychotic drugs and certain high blood pressure medications also stain teeth.
• Mouthwashes- Continuous use of Chlorhexidine mouthwashes, stain teeth.
• Environmental- Excessive fluorides cause yellowish-brown discoloration of premature teeth.(Irreversible staining)
  

Note: Certain diseases that compromise enamel and dentin formation cause irreversible staining of teeth. Dental trauma also induces irreversible staining.

On the other hand, yellowing of teeth may be attributed to the following:

• Poor oral hygiene
• Age- As age advances, tooth enamel becomes thinner and exposes the underlying yellow dentin, making teeth look yellower.
• Genetic

Most commonly, people resort to chemical methods to remove stains or to whiten teeth. But, repeated chemical exposures make teeth sensitive and increases the susceptibility to cavities. Plus, it tends to be heavy on the pocket! (Don't you think?!)

So, why not try some natural, inexpensive ways to whiten teeth! Here are my TOP 15

1. Binchotan Charcoal : I mentioned in my earlier post about the goodness of binchotan charcoal toothbrushes. Have a look  http://docchanunair.blogspot.com/2014/11/binchotan-charcoal-toothbrushes-black.html
2. Citrus fruits: Oranges and Lemons are highly effective due to their citric acid levels. Rub orange or lemon peel (white portion) against your teeth for 2 mins, keep it for 10 mins and wash your mouth thoroughly. Lime water can be used as a mouthwash too.
3. Strawberry: Rich in malic acid that promotes whiter teeth. Mash strawberries into a paste, apply over your teeth with a finger/toothbrush, leave it for 2-5 mins and rinse thoroughly.
4. Pineapple: Pineapple contains bromelain, a natural stain remover. Apply pineapple paste over your teeth , leave it for 5-7 mins and rinse thoroughly. Eating pineapple on a regular basis is also helpful.
5. Fibrous fruits and vegetables: Pear, Apple, Banana, Figs, Carrots, Broccoli, Cabbage etc. are high in fibers, that naturally cleanses and removes stains. Eat them raw or in salads.
6. Dry fruits: Raisins, Cashews, Almonds, Walnuts etc are salivating and fibrous, which help in cleaning the teeth.
7. Dairy products: Milk, Yogurt, Cheese etc, due to the presence of lactic acid and their innate texture prevent staining of teeth. Hard cheese like cheddar, can be applied over teeth surfaces too.
   
8. Herbs: Holy basil and Neem have been traditionally used in India for whiter teeth, due to its combination of useful acids. Sun-dry basil, powder it and brush your teeth using it. Neem leaves can be rubbed against your teeth for few mins, or you can chew neem twigs. Either way it is beneficial. Neem oil can also be added to toothpastes.
9. Spices: Bay leaf and Turmeric are the best. Crush bay leaves, add citrus juice and brush using this mixture. Grind turmeric to form powder, add lime and salt and apply on the teeth for 3-4 mins. Rinse thoroughly.
10. Sage leaf: Presence of astringent chemicals make it valuable. Crush the leaves and use it with your toothpaste to brush. Sage tea can be used as a mouthwash too.
11. Walnut tree bark: Crush the bark and use it to brush with the toothpaste of your choice.
12. Guava leaf: Apart from being useful in treating gum infections, guava leaves can also be used to whiten teeth due to the presence of Vit. C. Crush the leaves and brush, using any toothpaste. In addition, use guava leaf tea to rinse your mouth.
13. Banyan roots: Banyan roots are natural use-n-throw toothbrushes that contain whitening astringent juices.
14. Kaolin clay: A combination of kaolin clay and water in a paste form is a natural abrasive for your teeth as it contains silica.
15. Peelu plant fibres: Use ground peelu fibres to brush your teeth with a toothbrush. Its high fiber content renders it useful.

Pointers:

• Avoid using these techniques on a daily basis, as the acidic juices in them might be too strong for your teeth to handle.
• Always rinse your mouth well after using these substances. Don't forget to brush your teeth daily with a clinically proven toothpaste, as a good oral environment is important for every remedy to work.
• Care should be taken NOT to brush your teeth with these substances 30 mins before and after meals.
• These natural ways to whiten teeth takes time, so give yourself that time. It is always subjective.
• Irreversible stains cannot be removed by these measures. For them, chemical methods performed by dentists are imperative.
• If your stains persist even after repeated use of these substances, consult a dentist.
• Avoid consuming products that stain teeth.