If you’re like most of us who’ve indulged in the coffee, the wine and even the cigarettes in our younger years, then your teeth have probably seen better days. Sure, there are dozens if not hundreds of whitening products to choose from, with laser teeth-whitening booming in popularity, but there may be a cheaper and simpler way to fix a dingy smile first.
In 2012, the American Association of Orthodontists, in partnership with Wakefield Research, conducted a study on how people perceive their smiles — which has been tossed around by dentists as a way to promote teeth-whitening since it was released. But the study does have some interesting points to it. Over a third of Americans feel unhappy with the appearance of their teeth and even believe they’d have a better social life if they had a better smile. This problem may be even bigger among young adults, seeing as 48 percent of the study participants from the ages of 18 to 24 had untagged themselves on Facebook before because they didn’t like their teeth.
Whether in pictures or face-to-face, this kind of smile “shame” is something no one should have to live with. It can help to use common sense and cut down on the foods and drinks that may be staining your teeth in the first place. And depending on the severity of the staining, you may need professional treatment.
Or one of these expert-approved at-home whitening tips might do the trick:
1. Put it in perspective
This isn’t an at-home whitening remedy per se, but it helps to know that yellow-tinted teeth aren’t always a bad thing. “Did you know that naturally yellow teeth are stronger than pearly whites? This might be a good reason to use natural whitener for stubborn stains. Enamel is actually bluish-white. This enamel color is somewhat translucent, so the yellow of the dentin beneath makes the teeth naturally look a light shade of grey or light yellow, ” Dr. Lynn Anderson, yoga instructor and natural health expert, says.
Now that we know that ultra-white teeth may not be a realistic standard for most, we can form a plan of attack.
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2. Try oil-pulling
If you haven’t seen it buzzing around on Facebook yet, oil-pulling, using antimicrobial coconut oil to clean and detox, is hot, hot, hot. Roberta Perry, founder of the natural skin care line ScrubzBody, who has been seen on The Dr. Oz Show, considers coconut oil-pulling a wonderful way to whiten teeth naturally. “You do have to swish [it] around your mouth for 10 to 15 minutes a few times a week or more to have it be effective, ” she says.
Dr. Axe, clinical nutritionist and doctor of natural medicine, says, “My favorite home remedy for whitening teeth is definitely coconut oil-pulling. With this ancient Ayurvedic technique, you not only break down stains on the teeth and loosen plaque, but you also detoxify the mouth, eliminating bacteria and toxins that can actually contribute to poor dental health and a less attractive smile. And oil-pulling is simple to do: Just swish a couple of teaspoons of coconut oil around in your mouth for 10-15 minutes first thing in the morning. When finished, spit the oil into the trash.”
3. Eat an apple a day
“An apple a day keeps the dentist away” should be the real saying, according to Anderson. While many rumors swirl online that recommend brushing teeth with lemon juice to whiten, Anderson staunchly disagrees. Using lemon juice on teeth is acidifying and can break down enamel, allowing the yellow dentin to shine through. Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is better for your teeth when it is eaten to aid in calcium absorption and remove plaque and debris.
Here’s where the daily apple comes in. Anderson says, “Ascorbic acid is a natural organic compound most prevalent in apples. So, my first recommendation for keeping the teeth white is to eat an apple a day. This might just keep the dentist away! Along with ascorbic acid, which has a whitening effect, apples are high in vitamin C, which is a body biochemical normalizer and is essential for keeping teeth strong. Strong, healthy teeth are always bright.”
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4. Eat crunchy vegetables
This one is easy-peasy and good for you in more ways than one. Anderson suggests making a regular practice of eating crunchy vegetables, like carrots and celery, since “they act as mild abrasives, removing plaque and stains.”
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