Pearly whites are easy enough to come by these days with over-the-counter whitening strips, dental trays and whitening treatments. But these can have adverse effects on your oral health and result in teeth sensitivity, receding gums and brittle teeth (yikes!) One study even suggests a connection between mouth cancer and teeth-whitening products.
Teeth whitening products use hydrogen peroxide which works by penetrating the porous enamel and oxidising stains. In time, this may degrade the enamel, making your teeth more porous and (ironically) more susceptible to staining and discolouration.
If teeth whitening strips are used once or twice a year, they seem to be fairly safe, but the teeth return to their natural colour pretty quickly after whitening, so people tend to use them far more often.
Now you can get the same dashing smile at a fraction of the cost using natural ingredients. Sure, these take a little more persistence and don't have the immediate effect of a whitening treatment, but if you make them part of your oral hygiene routine, you'll have a dashing set of gnashers in no time at all.
Turmeric Tooth-Whitening Paste
Turmeric is an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, so it will improve your overall oral health. It is an abrasive, so it helps to scrub teeth clean.
- 4 tablespoons parts turmeric powder
- 2.5 tablespoons part coconut oil
- 2 tablespoons baking soda
Mix well so that it forms a paste and store in an airtight container. Brush with this toothpaste two or three times a week. Use a pea-sized amount and brush as normal. Rinse well and be sure to wash out your sink too. This will stain your toothbrush yellow. Add a drop or two of peppermint oil to improve the flavour.
Baking Soda Lemon Tooth-Whitening Paste
Baking Soda is mildly abrasive so it is able to effectively scrub the surface of the teeth. The lemon juice acts as a bleach to help whiten teeth. The pH of the baking soda balances out the acidity of your mouth.
- 10 teaspoons of baking soda
- Enough lemon juice to form a paste
Use a pea-sized amount and brush as normal. You can leave the toothpaste on your teeth for a minute or two to give the lemon a chance to work before rinsing as normal.
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