30 Everyday Items You Can Use To Whiten Your Teeth

1. Sea Salt And Baking Soda

Image source Medical News TodayMix a teaspoon of baking soda with half a teaspoon of sea salt and a little water to make a paste and use a soft toothbrush to gently brush the teeth for 2 minutes.  Rinse and brush with regular toothpaste.  This will whiten your teeth as baking soda and salt are gentle abrasives and will remove surface stains from the enamel.

2. Turmeric Powder

Image source Alpha FoodieFor gleaming white teeth mix a small amount of water with a teaspoon of  turmeric powder to form a paste.  Using a soft toothbrush apply to the teeth and brush for a couple of minutes.  Rinse thoroughly and then use your usual toothpaste afterwards. Turmeric powder is a gentle abrasive that removes surface stains to reveal whiter teeth.  Turmeric is a natural anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial so it an excellent choice for dental care.

3. Apple Cider Vinegar

Image source Prvention.comSwirl a mouthful of apple cider vinegar around your mouth, the same as you would with your daily mouthwash.  Then brush your teeth with toothpaste making sure you remove all traces of the vinegar.  As the vinegar contains acetic acid, this breaks down plaque and staining on teeth.  This is a sure way for whiter and brighter teeth.

4. Baking Soda And Hydrogen Peroxide

Image source The KitchenCreate a thin paste by mixing a teaspoon of baking soda with hydrogen peroxide (you'll find this antiseptic in your first aid box).  Use a soft toothbrush to apply the paste to the teeth and brush not too harshly for 3 minutes. Rinse and brush with regular toothpaste. The combination works well in whitening teeth as hydrogen peroxide is the bleach used in commercial teeth whitening products.  Baking soda is mildly abrasive so it helps gently buff away surface stains and thicken the peroxide so it stays on the surface of the teeth for longer.

5. Strawberry And Baking Soda

Image source SheKnowsCrush a large strawberry with half a teaspoon of baking soda until it is well blended.  Spread this mixture on to the teeth and wait for 5 minutes.  Rinse off thoroughly and brush your teeth as usual.   Strawberries contain malic acid which is used in many commercials teeth whitening products and the mild, abrasive texture of the baking soda will be active against the discolouration..

6. Coconut Oil

BBC Good FoodPlace a teaspoon of organic coconut oil in your mouth and swirl around for 10 minutes.  Then apply a little baking soda to your toothbrush, brush thoroughly and rinse.  Oil pulling is an ancient technique that removes plaque and bacteria exposing whiter, brighter teeth. Coconut oil is naturally antibacterial and also helps to reduce gum disease and the baking soda will gently remove surface stains as it is mildly abrasive.

7. Banana Peel

Image source USA TodayFor a smile you can be proud of, gently rub a small piece of banana peel on your teeth for 2 minutes.  Rinse and brush with your regular toothpaste to remove all the residue and it's that simple!   The high level of minerals in  the peel (potassium, magnesium and manganese) are absorbed into the teeth, dramatically improving the whiteness of them.

8. Activated Charcoal

Image source WikipediaActivated charcoal whitens teeth by absorbing plaque and other tooth staining substances, leaving your teeth cleaner and much whiter.  All you have to do is sprinkle food grade activated charcoal powder on to a wet toothbrush and brush for 2-3 minutes.  Rinse thoroughly and brush your teeth with your usual minty toothpaste.

9. Lemon Juice And Baking Soda

Image source Taste Of HomeAs lemons are high in citric acid (a natural bleach for stains on teeth) and because baking soda is gently abrasive, this will guarantee whiter teeth in no time.  Mixing a teaspoon of lemon juice with a small amount of baking soda to make a thin paste is an easy and cheap way to whiten your teeth.   Use a soft toothbrush to apply to teeth and gently brush for 2 minutes. Rinse with water and brush with regular toothpaste to remove all lemon juice.

10. Orange Peel And Salt

Image source Food52Yes, it really is that easy!  Apply salt to the white side of the orange peel and gently rub over your teeth for 2 minutes.  Afterwards, Brush your teeth as you would normally do ensuring there is no citrus residue.  As citrus peel contains d-limonene (used in commercial teeth whitening products) and the salt is naturally abrasive to remove surface stains, the colour of your teeth will be noticeable after a few applications.

11. Baking Soda, Toothpaste And Hydrogen Peroxide

Image source Cleveland ClinicBy mixing 2 teaspoons of baking soda with 2 teaspoons of toothpaste and a teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide, this combination is the way to whiter teeth.  Spread the mixture over the teeth and leave for 10 minutes.  Rinse thoroughly with water and brush with regular toothpaste to remove all hydrogen peroxide.

12. Home Made Whitening Toothpaste With Turmeric

Image source 123RFCoconut oil and turmeric powder are both powerful in plaque-removing and are naturally anti-inflammatory and antibacterial.  This combination makes for healthy, whiter teeth you will be proud to show off!  Just mix a tablespoon of coconut oil with a teaspoon of turmeric powder to create your own toothpaste.  Add a few drops of peppermint oil for a refreshing minty taste.

13. Table Salt

Image source Reader's Digest CanadaSalt is quite abrasive in nature and is really great for cleansing the outer layer of your teeth's enamel. It also strengthens the teeth by tightening and detoxifying the gums You can also try gargling using a solution of salt and water instead of a strong and super abrasive mouthwash.

14.  Apples

Image source Real SimpleYou've heard the saying 'an apple a day keeps the doctor away' - well, this applies to dental health as well.  Apples contain malic acid that has been proven to whiten teeth effectively and the crunchiness of the fruit will help to clean the teeth naturally.  Effort required - nil!

15. Plain Hydrogen Peroxide

Image source Realtor.comThe antiseptic solution, hydrogen peroxide, is amazing when it comes to whitening teeth.  This safe bleach restores teeth to their natural white colour without the sensitivity often experienced when using a commercial whitening product.  Mix half a cup of water with 2 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide, swish in your mouth for a minute and rinse with water to remove the solution. Repeat daily until you see lighter teeth.

16. Whiskey or Vodka

Image source Liquid LaboratoryOh yes, you read that correctly. Whiskey, vodka or any kind of a spirit that has more than 35% ABV is a great alternative to a mouthwash. It is a disinfectant and kills off all the germs and bacteria in your mouth within seconds.  Swish around the mouth (don't drink it!) and brush your teeth with toothpaste afterwards.  Because the germs are being zapped in the whole mouth, including any lurking on the tooth enamel, teeth will look and feel whiter.

17. Use a Straw

Image source Daily MailCoffee, tea and fizzy drink can all cause serious damage to the enamel of your teeth. Whenever possible, use a straw to reduce direct exposure to teeth. If you think drinking your coffee or wine out of a straw is more embarrassing than discoloured teeth, then make sure to brush after drinking these beverages

18. Cheese

Image source CNNYou will have heard about the old wife's tale of not eating cheese late at night because it gives you bad dreams but read on.  A few bites of cheese before you drink that glass of red wine will coats your teeth with a residue and protecting them against staining, one of the reasons for discolouring of the enamel.

19. Coconut Oil and Peppermint Leaf

Image source Medical News TodayCoconut oil is known for its stain removing properties as well as its positive effect on bacteria in the mouth.  Combining the oil with a small amount of mashed peppermint leaves, will remove some of the surface bacteria that is one of the causes of yellow teeth.  It leaves your mouth feeling and tasting so good.

20. Floss Your Teeth

Image source SensodyneFor some reason, flossing doesn’t come as easily to some people as brushing does.  They see it as a faff and don't do it thoroughly.  Dentists and hygienists agree that flossing is more important than brushing to remove the staining between your teeth, helping your teeth to look whiter.

21. Milk

Image source BBCThe dark tannins in tea which add bitterness to the hot drink, will also stain your teeth..  To lessen this, if you add milk,  the casein protein in milk will bond with the tannins to create a chemical barrier against normal tooth discoloration.  If you don't want to use milk try a splash of powdered whitener in your cuppa.

22. Kaolin Clay

Image source CraftovatorThe wonders of this natural abrasive clay available from health stores) works just like baking soda as a tooth whitening agent and is widely used in Asian countries.  Use once a week by wetting your toothbrush in a bit of the clay and brush away.  Follow by your usual toothpaste to brush your teeth afterwards.

23. Raw carrots

Image source NDTVThere's the usual reasons, or folklores, that tell us why we should eat carrots.  They help us see in the dark, they can help us tan without the sun etc etc.  Once thing we know, as research has proved, is that raw carrot sticks work to whiten teeth as you eat because of their abrasive surface that scrub the teeth clean of stains.

24. Mint

Image Source Medical News TodayMint is excellent at managing blood sugar level so why are we telling you this when you want tips on whitening your teeth?  Well, if you want a sugar rush and go for sweets and treats, the residue left by them in your mouth will turn to plaque and bacteria will settle on your teeth.  This will cause the enamel to have a yellow tinge.  If you've already reached this stage, rubbing a mint leaf over your teeth will banish plaque and protect your teeth against stains.

25. Pineapple

Image source Verywell HealthYour teeth are covered with pellicle or a layer of salivary proteins.  The pellicle layer protects teeth but it also absorbs pigments from food which can lead to staining.  Pineapple can naturally dissolve pellicle through its enzymes and can prevent tooth discolouration.

26. Chewing Gum

Image source Daily MailChewing (sugar free) gum all the time is not good for you as it will create a lot of excess air in your body which will need to be released somehow!  However, the benefit of gum is that the chewing motion flushes the mouth with saliva and loosens stains, plaque and bacteria.

27. White Wine

Image source Daily MailIf you are partial to a few glasses of wine, this alcoholic drink may not whiten your teeth but it will stop them getting worse.  Red wine, besides coffee, is the main culprit of teeth staining so try and force yourself to indulge in a cheeky glass of white instead of a full bodied red!

28. Water

Image source Daily MailIf one of your daily meals ever consists of chilli, curry or beetroot, to name but a few, then be sure to rinse and gargle straight afterwards for 30 seconds with plain old water!  H 20 will stop the colouring agents attacking and sticking to the enamel of your teeth and discolouring them.

29. Celery

Image source Eating WellBeware of using too much fluoride that dentists love to give as it is an aluminium by- product which can lower your immune system.  Chew on a couple of celery sticks and the juice acts as a disinfectant that works against the bacteria in your mouth, gums and on the actual teeth, keeping them whiter.

30. Toothbrush

Image source WiredDon't purchase a toothbrush because it's cheap or on special offer.  Make sure it works for you, both in the shape of the toothbrush head and the firmness of it.  If you suffer from sore gums, then don't go for an extra hard brush.  A suitable brush, manual or electric, should be able to get into every crevice of your mouth, zapping bacteria, plaque and trapped food.  All these are causes of yellowing teeth so if you want your teeth looking nice and white, get the right brush in the first place!