Natural Ways to Whiten your Teeth
Naturally, our teeth were created/developed white – with an inner pulp chamber, beneath a protective dentin layer, beneath a hard outer enamel surface used for chewing. Over time due to everyday habits, medications/medical conditions, and just plan old aging our teeth’s natural white gives way to stains.
There are two types of stains associated with teeth. Extrinsic stains are those that are generally caused by food and drink on the enamel and can soak through the enamel and affect the dentin, as well. Keep in mind anything that can stain clothing can also stain teeth: coffee, tea, dark-colored colas, red wine, soy sauce, syrup. These stains happen because the certain pigments in these things adhere to the protein pellicle on a tooth – a sticky substance that coats teeth. For whitening treatments of any sort to be completely effective they need to be able to remove the stains from the enamel and dentin, and to clean away this protein pellicle to prevent stains from returning right away.
The second type of staining is called “intrinsic.” It is when teeth are stained from the inside out or are discolored beneath the enamel. This can happen from overuse or overexposure to fluoride (fluoridosis) and lack of intake of adequate calcium, certain medications (usually tetracycline), and medical conditions or treatments (chemo, radiation). These stains are much harder to address because they are not just “surface” stains. In many of these cases, a professional dental whitening (which may include laser whitening) may be the only way to get rid of these stains.
For basic extrinsic staining, though, there are several natural, at-home remedies that will save you money and provide acceptable – if not perfect – results. If you can’t afford (or simply don’t want to pay for) a professional bleaching or whitening, and if you can’t be bothered trying to figure out gels and trays and convenient times when you can complete the treatment as directed without exposing your whitening efforts to the world, then perhaps these simple methods will do the trick.
We value and respect the experiences of all of our HERWriters, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.
Add a Comment36 Comments
This is a wonderful, very informative guide on how to do your own natural teeth whitening! I'm so surprised that there are so many ways to whiten your teeth. I thought you just had to use one of those teeth whitening kit/strips. Thanks again!
September 30, 2009 - 12:43pmThis Comment
You're welcome. Kits and strips aren't the only way.
September 30, 2009 - 1:15pmPretty good article. Thanks for posting it!
Another site I found earlier tonight which discusses teeth whitening:
http://teethcleaning.info/teeth-whitening/teeth-whitening/
October 5, 2009 - 12:43amThank you. And thank you for adding your link to the discussion.
October 5, 2009 - 4:20amso basically we do have to go to the dentist since all of these methods come with disclaimers.. so there is no way to "naturally whiten" teeth...
October 14, 2009 - 9:39amWhat are you talking about?
How harmful can a strawberry be so long as you don't sit around with the paste on your teeth for an hour. Lightly brush your teeth with the paste, using a soft toothbrush and you should be fine. Use some plastic wrap and hold it in place if you're afraid you'll brush too much enamel off! Rinse your mouth afterwards with water to wash away the remaining sugars and acid from the strawberries and you should be fine.
You're at about as much harm with using these methods as you would be were you to eat a deng strawberry.
December 27, 2009 - 6:09pm:oD My sentiments exactly! And thanks for the specific instruction. Much appreciated.
July 15, 2010 - 6:58pmJust think that they are white
December 11, 2009 - 10:22amThank you for these tips, Darlene!
Right as I read this, I have Crest Pro Effects White Strips on. When I got my braces off a week ago, I was surprised at how gleaming white my teeth were! But I had assumed they would be stained and already bought the white strips so am doing them anyway. My teeth are really white now, and I'm over half way through (it's a 10 day program and I'm giving myself a day off here and there as my teeth are a bit sensitive).
Reading these tips will help me keep my smile white naturally so it's great reading - thank you!
December 11, 2009 - 12:33pmYou're welcome, Susan.
December 11, 2009 - 1:32pm