We all know that growing old is a natural process of decay, and our body parts start acting up. But there are foreseeable issues that you can prevent or cure as soon as you detect the problem. For example, you don’t need to spend thousands of dollars behind fixing your teeth when you can maintain them. Regular cleaning and following natural teeth whitening are two easy ways to maintain oral hygiene.
The yellow teeth you probably have right now are not unusual for anybody. With years of eating (well, sometimes eating the wrong stuff) makes them yellow and weak. The enamel starts darkening as you age and slowly wears away. Moreover, the dentin underneath begins to show too. If you don’t know already, dentin is the second layer of the calcified tissues right beneath the outer enamel layer.
Table of Contents
How to clean teeth for teeth whitening that is natural?
Well, it’s not too late if you’ve realized that your oral health is not doing well. Here, we will give you a proper method of how to clean teeth. Check the steps below to ensure you’re doing it correctly and teach your children the same:
The basics of brushing
Brushing your teeth is the most effective way of cleaning your teeth. Like any other mandatory ritual like eating, sleeping, or bathing, brushing teeth is necessary. Many children tend to make a fuss about it, but once they follow a routine, they’re good to go.
Dentists usually recommend brushing the teeth twice. However, when using a mild toothpaste and toothbrush, it is okay to brush after every meal.
You can keep using the manual brush or choose an electric one instead. But make sure the one helps you easily clean the surface and areas hard to reach. One of the most critical aspects of how to clean teeth is changing toothbrushes every 3-4 months.
Picking the right toothbrush for natural teeth whitening
Your toothbrush must fit your mouth as it is difficult to clean a piece that is too big for you. People with a small mouth should look for compact designs and not a full-sized head. Dentists recommend at least two minutes of teeth cleaning to remove stains and plaque thoroughly.
Picking the right toothpaste
You might be surprised to know that not all toothpaste is right for you. If you have healthy teeth and primarily look for natural teeth whitening process only, you have to focus on pastes that keep your teeth white. Whereas, someone who is aging and has sensitive teeth will prefer a toothpaste meant for their condition.
At all times, it is good to use a toothpaste that keeps away sensitivity and fights cavities. A good toothpaste will fight not only bad breath but also clean stains, plaque, tartar, and gingivitis.
Teeth cleaning process
Before knowing natural teeth whitening methods, you should understand why they became yellow in the first place. Well, the chances are that you don’t know proper teeth cleaning techniques. The next points will help you correct it right away:
- Hold the toothbrush a 45-degree angle to your teeth when brushing
- Apply small strokes and brush teeth in sections
- Make sure you reach every corner
- Clean the teeth on either ends well
- Use tooth-size strokes for brushing the surface of each tooth instead of broad sweeping strokes
- Make sure you clean all three sides of the back, front, and top of your chewing surface
How to floss
To follow thorough teeth cleaning routine, you need to floss every day. Choose a product that slides between the teeth and removes food particles and reduces the daily buildup of bacteria and plaque.
Flossing is an essential part of cleaning your teeth, and you must make it as regular as brushing. Food particles regularly stick between our teeth and increase plaque build-up. If you have a problem sliding the floss between the teeth, try wide floss or waxed floss.
According to the American Dental Association, it is best to use 18 inches of floss to make sure you have a clean piece to use for every tooth. You need to curve the floss into C-shape and slide up and down along the side of every tooth. Make sure you floss the back of the back teeth and also the left and right sides of the lower and upper teeth.
Curve the floss into a C-shape as you slide it up and down along the side of each tooth. Don’t forget to floss the sides of your back teeth, on both left and right of the upper and lower teeth.
Natural teeth whitening
Check out the natural teeth whitening processes to get rid of yellow teeth:’
How to whiten your teeth with baking soda
By using a paste made up of baking soda with hydrogen peroxide, you can kill the plaque buildup in your teeth and fight the stains.
To make a paste, you need one tablespoon of baking soda and two tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide. Use it as a mouthwash and see the difference in a few days. If you don’t have hydrogen peroxide, you can replace it with water.
According to a study in 2012, baking soda and hydrogen peroxide helped people get rid of tooth stain within six weeks. Another study in 2017 showed that toothpaste, including baking soda, is also useful for removing stains. You can use this remedy every day for natural teeth whitening.
Coconut oil pulling
You can also try coconut oil pulling as it can remove bacteria, plaque, and stains from your teeth. It would help if you had an organic coconut oil brand that doesn’t have chemicals at all.
You need to swish 1-2 teaspoons of the oil in the mouth for around 10 minutes. But make sure it doesn’t touch the back of your throat. Also, don’t swallow the oil by mistake as it has toxins that will react in your stomach. Spit it out once you are done and rinse your mouth. Drink a glass of water and brush your teeth.
There isn’t much research done on this remedy. However, one study in 2015 showed that oil pulling in the same way with sesame and sunflower oil reduced gingivitis in teeth.
How to whiten teeth naturally Apple cider vinegar
You can use apple cider vinegar in a small amount to whiten your teeth. Just like a baking soda solution, this is also a mouthwash.
You need to mix two tablespoons of ACV with six ounces of water. Add the solution to your mouth and swish for 30 seconds. Rinse it off and brush your teeth.
According to a study published in 2014, ACV worked like bleach on cow teeth. However, it is essential to note that it can cause damage as it is tough. The structure of our teeth is soft, and we must use caution. You cannot swish this solution for a long time. Moreover, there have to be more human studies to back this solution up.
Orange, banana or lemon peels
Wondering how to whiten teeth with lemon as it is one of the most common ingredients used? Well, you need the peel for it! The reason why orange, banana, and lemon skins work towards whitening teeth is due to compound d-limonene or citric acid content. It is present in most citrus fruit peels and can make your teeth shinier.
You need to rub the fruit on your teeth for around 2 minutes. It would help if you rinsed out your mouth immediately after brushing teeth. However, there is not much scientific research based on this remedy.
According to a study in 2010, toothpaste, including a 5% compound of d-limonene, helped remove stains from teeth. It was used by people who smoke and drink tea regularly. They tried toothpaste for one month, and it reduces the stains of smoking. However, it wasn’t a permanent solution for stain removal.
There have to be more studies to determine if the d-limonene compound is useful on its own or not. A study in 2015 showed that DIY teeth whitening with strawberries or citric acid weren’t effective.
Again, in 2017, citric acid extracts were used from four types of orange peels to make teeth whiter. There were varying reports, and tangerine peel gave the best results.
You need to careful when using the acid of fruit peel. It can erode or wear away the enamel. If you find your teeth feel sensitive, don’t try this remedy for whitening.
Activated charcoal
Activated charcoal is another effective solution for teeth whitening. Charcoal can remove stains and pigments from our teeth as they are absorbent. They can also get rid of toxins and bacteria from the mouth. Some toothpaste contains activated charcoal and promises to whiten teeth.
You can try another method to make sure the results are more effective. Open a capsule of activated charcoal and add the contents on the toothbrush. Brush the teeth by using it in small circles for 2 minutes. Try to skip your gums as much as possible, and it can be abrasive. Spit out the charcoal and brush gently.
People with sensitive teeth should avoid using charcoal for teeth whitening. You can dab some of it on the teeth, let it sit, and then rinse off.
You can mix activated charcoal with water and make a mouthwash with these two. Swish the mixture for 2 minutes and spit out. Make sure you rinse your mouth thoroughly to make sure the charcoal is completely washed out.
You need more scientific backing to ensure if activated charcoal is useful or not. According to a paper published in 2019, people used toothpaste with charcoal in them for four weeks. However, the results weren’t as good as other whitening pastes.
According to research, activated charcoal is abrasive on teeth and colored tooth restoration. It can lead to loss of tooth structure and can make the tooth look yellow.
If you force your enamel to wear down, more of the yellow dentin will exhibit. It would help if you were cautious when using activated charcoal as there isn’t much research to back its credibility.
Having food with high water content
Vegetables and fruits that have high water content can keep teeth healthy. Water content from food cleanses gums and teeth from bacteria and plaque buildup and prevent the yellowing of teeth.
When you chew or crunchy veggies and fruits, it increases saliva production. This helps remove particles stuck in teeth and washes away harmful acids.
We all know that diet high in fruits and veggies is good for oral health along with overall health. But there are no scientific claims to support such facts. However, eating healthy food will not do any harm to you. Moreover, if you keep away from sugar in the form of candies and chocolates, you stay away from cavities.
A study published in 2019 saw that people who have vitamin C deficiency have higher chances of facing periodontitis. While this study didn’t look at the whitening impact of vitamin C on teeth, it does link a high-plasma level due that promotes healthier teeth.
Research suggests that high levels of vitamin C can reduce the level of plaque-causing yellowing of teeth. According to a study in 2012, a toothpaste with bromelain and papain extract results in stain removal. Bromelain is an enzyme present in pineapple, while papain is an enzyme present in papaya.
Final thoughts on natural teeth whitening
We can see that there are many ways to remove stains from our teeth and make them whiten naturally. However, it is essential to maintain caution while using home remedies. There are chances of damaged gums and enamels that you need to avoid.
The primary step of maintaining oral hygiene and going through regular dental checkups can help. If you tried thee remedies and didn’t get success, you should ask an expert to recommend medical treatment. It might be a better option provided; it improves your oral health and does not lead to wearing away.