Your smile can reveal a lot about your personality. While unnaturally white and sparkling teeth may be a little unnerving, a healthy white smile gives off an affable impression and inviting signal.
So how to go about whitening your teeth instantly without resorting to expensive dental bleaching sessions that may be harmful in the long run? Read on to find out.
Regular consumption of dark liquids like red wine, beer, black tea, coffee and colas is the most obvious culprit responsible for yellowing and staining of the teeth. If it’s dark in color, it’s bound to stain those pearly whites of yours. Smoking is another major cause of stained teeth.
Baking soda, a mild abrasive agent, is an effective teeth-whitening remedy if used responsibly. It works best for surface stains and plaque removal and also prevents discoloration.
Its periodic use also supports good oral hygiene, as it can neutralize bacterial acids in the mouth that often lead to tooth decay and gum problems.
Irresponsible use of teeth-whitening practices almost always leads to dental problems, with enamel erosion being the most prominent. But when baking soda remedies are used at regular, spaced out intervals in tandem with regular oral care, it can produce admirable results.
Forgoing your regular toothpaste in favor of any of the given remedies is not advisable as baking soda doesn’t contain fluoride, which is the main constituent of most dental pastes. Fluoride is instrumental in maintaining the health and strength of your teeth as well as preventing cavities.
Now that you know the risks involved and the precautions that you need to heed, take a look at five effective and inexpensive baking soda remedies to whiten your teeth and get ready to flaunt that beatific smile!
Method 1: Use Baking Soda with Water
One of the simplest ways to use baking soda for teeth whitening is to use a baking soda and water paste. This one-ingredient method is fast and easy to put together, and you can easily make use of tap water for this.Step 1. Combine the ingredients to make a paste
Put 1 tablespoon baking soda and enough water to make a paste.
- Mix the ingredients well to make a smooth and runny paste.
Step 2. Brush your teeth with simple baking soda paste
- Put the baking soda paste on your toothbrush and carefully brush your teeth with it for about 2 minutes.
- Rinse your mouth completely to remove any traces of baking soda and see your teeth whiten instantly.
- Repeat this method once a week for a few months to achieve good results.
Method 2: Use Baking Soda with Toothpaste
You can give an extra kick to your regular toothpaste by adding baking soda to it. This is one of the safest options for teeth whitening.The fluoride present in toothpaste protects the teeth from cavities and helps strengthen the tooth enamel. The added mild abrasion of baking soda will help remove stains. For best results, use a white paste instead of fancy gels.
Things you’ll need:
- Baking soda (mild abrasive) – 1 tablespoon
- Toothpaste (prevents cavity) – 2 tablespoons
Step 1. Combine the ingredients to make a paste
- Put a little baking soda in a small bowl.
- Add twice the amount of any generic white toothpaste.
- Mix the two ingredients completely to make a smooth paste.
Step 2. Brush your teeth with baking soda toothpaste
- Put the baking soda and toothpaste mix on your toothbrush and brush your teeth with it for about 2 minutes.
- Rinse your mouth completely with plain water to observe instant change in the color of your teeth.
- Repeat once or twice a week for a few months to observe noticeable changes.
Method 3: Use Baking Soda with Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a bleaching agent that’s safe to use for teeth whitening. It is an active agent in most teeth-whitening products. Hydrogen peroxide also helps sanitize the mouth by killing harmful bacteria.Combining hydrogen peroxide with baking soda releases free radicals that help break up the stain molecules on the surface of the teeth. The stains can then be easily brushed away.
Things you’ll need:
- Baking soda (prevents discoloration) – 1 tablespoon
- 3% Hydrogen peroxide (bleaching agent), to make a paste
Step 1. Combine the ingredients to make a paste
- Put 1 tablespoon baking soda in a small bowl.
- Pour 3% hydrogen peroxide enough to make a paste.
- Mix the ingredients completely to make a smooth paste.
Step 2. Brush your teeth with baking soda-hydrogen peroxide paste
- Put the paste on your toothbrush and brush your teeth with it for about 2 minutes.
- Rinse your mouth with plenty of water and observe your teeth go white at one go.
- Repeat this activity twice a week for 8 to 10 weeks to get good results.
Note: If the paste feels too harsh for your teeth and gums, dilute the hydrogen peroxide with an equal amount of water before mixing it with baking soda.
Method 4: Use Baking Soda with Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a lot of home remedies, including teeth whitening. While people are often wary of using lemon juice on their teeth, it can produce good results without any adverse effects if used with certain precautions.Citric acid present in lemon juice makes it a good bleaching agent. This remedy produces significant results immediately. Using this remedy once every 2 to 3 months should not give rise to any dental problems.
Things you’ll need:
- Baking soda (natural cleanser) – 1 tablespoon
- Lemon juice, freshly squeezed (natural bleach) – 1 tablespoon
Step 1. Combine the ingredients to make a paste
- Put some baking soda in a small bowl and add an equal amount of fresh-squeezed lemon juice to it.
- The bubbling and fizzing will settle as you mix the ingredients to make a smooth paste.
Step 2. Brush your teeth with baking soda-lemon juice paste
- Put a little of the paste on your toothbrush.
- Gently massage your teeth with it in circular motions for not more than 2 minutes.
- Rinse your mouth with plenty of water, so that no trace of lemon juice or baking soda remains.
- Repeat this activity once every 2 to 3 months.
This remedy works instantly to change the color of your teeth from yellowish to sparkling white.
Note: If you wish to use this remedy more frequently, dilute the lemon juice with an equal amount of water before mixing in the baking soda.
Method 5: Use Baking Soda with Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has been recognized recently for its benefits regarding oral health. It contains lauric acid, an agent that breaks down harmful bacteria in the mouth, thus improving oral health.When combined with baking soda, it makes for a healthy and safe teeth-whitening recipe that takes all-around care of your oral health.
Things you’ll need:
- Baking soda (natural cleaning agent) – 1 tablespoon
- Coconut oil (improves oral health) – 1 tablespoon
Step 1. Combine the ingredients to make a paste
- Put some baking soda in a bowl and mix in an equal amount of coconut oil.
- You can melt the coconut oil in the microwave before using it in the recipe, but this is usually an extra hassle as the warmth of your mouth is enough to melt the oil.
Step 2. Brush your teeth with baking soda-coconut oil paste
- Put a little of the paste on your toothbrush and brush with it for about 2 minutes to whiten your teeth instantly.
- Rinse your mouth with plenty of warm water to completely remove the baking soda. If a little coconut oil remains in your mouth, it’s not harmful.
- Repeat the activity 2 or 3 times a week for a few months.
Method 6: Use Baking Soda with Strawberries and Salt
Although strawberries boast a bright red color, the ascorbic acid present in them acts as a good bleaching agent for teeth whitening. When you combine them with baking soda and a pinch of salt, it makes for an effective teeth-whitening recipe.Just as with lemon juice, you need to take some precautions with this method. Limit the frequency of use to twice a month to protect your gums and tooth enamel.
Things you’ll need:
- Baking soda (cleansing agent) – 1 tablespoon
- Strawberries, large (bleaching agent) – 2 or 3
- A pinch of salt
Step 1. Mash the strawberries
- Mash 2 or 3 large strawberries with a fork.
- Step 2. Mix in baking soda and salt
- Add 1 tablespoon of baking soda to it and mix thoroughly.
- Add in a pinch of salt and mix it again.
- Keeping in mind the ratio, you can make the required amount of this strawberry paste.
Step 3. Brush your teeth with baking soda and strawberry-salt paste
- Put the strawberry paste on your toothbrush and brush your teeth with it for instant results.
- Rinse your mouth thoroughly with plain water to remove all the traces of strawberry and baking soda.
- Repeat this activity every two weeks for a few months.
Tips
- If you have sensitive teeth or gum issues, consult your dentist before using baking soda to whiten your teeth.
- Do not forgo your regular oral hygiene in favor of teeth-whitening techniques. Always brush your teeth with your regular toothpaste before bedtime and after waking up in the morning.
- Do not use baking soda remedies if you wear braces containing orthodontic glue or use a permanent retainer, as baking soda will soften the glue.
- Make the pastes as smooth as possible. Gritty pastes can damage tooth enamel.
- Refrain from brushing the pastes for more than 2 minutes at a time, and avoid harsh scrubbing to protect your gums and enamel from harm.
- Use these baking soda pastes not more than 2 or 3 times a week, or less often where noted above. Excessive use can lead to erosion of tooth enamel and cause teeth sensitivity.
- If the baking soda remedies are not suitable for you, you can also whiten your teeth with turmeric powder or peels from fruits like bananas and oranges.
- Include strawberries, apples, raw carrots, celery and popcorn in your diet to help keep your teeth clean naturally.
