Many people have turned to home remedies to naturally make their teeth whiter, brighter, and shinier. Through trial and error, you eventually find a few ingredients that work better than others. We don’t want you to experiment with everything under the sun, and that’s why we’ve done the legwork to provide you with a two-ingredient toothpaste that naturally whitens teeth.
According to a 2015 statistic, American adults spent over $11 billion on teeth whitening and over $1.4 billion on at-home whitening products. You don’t need to dump a huge portion of your savings on teeth whitening solutions or procedures if you use the right ingredients. Plus, many procedures and chemical whitening products bleach your teeth, which is of great concern to many people. You don’t want that, do you?
Why Do Teeth Start Yellowing?
Well, there isn’t a clear-cut answer to this because there are many contributing factors that make teeth lose their sparkle. Sometimes, teeth appear yellow because enamel begins to erode and reveal the dentin, a naturally yellow bony tissue underneath the enamel. Certain foods also contribute to the yellowing of teeth. Coffee, black tea, red wine, soda, chewing tobacco, and other foods can cause tooth discoloration, staining the enamel and leading to potential plaque build-up.
Coconut Oil For Healthy Teeth
Coconut oil is almost entirely comprised of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which are more easily metabolized than long-chain fatty acids, which are found in most other foods. Roughly 50% of coconut oil is made up of lauric acid, a medium-chain fatty acid that has been known to attack harmful bacteria in the mouth. In one study, people who started oil pulling with coconut oil helped to decrease plaque build-up and early signs of gingivitis. There was noticeable improvement seven days into the study, and there was a 68% decrease in plaque at the end of the 30-day study.
Baking Soda For Whiter Teeth
You can use baking soda a few different ways to help naturally whiten your teeth. Baking soda is considered a base, so it is often mixed with a more acidic component, such as lemon juice, vinegar, or sea salt. Acids, however, can eat away at the calcium in the teeth or irritate gums. Mixing baking soda with water or coconut oil helps create an alkaline environment in the mouth. Because baking soda is slightly abrasive, it helps to scrub away stains on the teeth, but it should not replace your regular brushing and flossing routine.
DIY Teeth Whitening Toothpaste
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon virgin unrefined coconut oil
- small container
Ingredients:
- Combine the baking soda and coconut oil in a small mixing bowl and stir until it forms a paste.
- Spoon this paste into a small airtight container to keep it fresh.
- Apply a small amount to your toothbrush when ready to use and brush for two minutes. Rinse and floss to ensure your teeth are squeaky clean.
- You can use this 3-4 times per week.
Vincent Stevens is the senior content writer at Dherbs. As a fitness and health and wellness enthusiast, he enjoys covering a variety of topics, including the latest health, fitness, beauty, and lifestyle trends. His goal is to inform people of different ways they can improve their overall health, which aligns with Dherbs’ core values. He received his bachelor’s degree in creative writing from the University of Redlands, graduating summa cum laude. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.
