Confession: I had no idea there were teeth-whitening options outside of those plastic strips filled with bleach I used in high school. Thankfully, there are so many DIY teeth whitening options that are naturally-based with no gross chemicals or dangerous ingredients (that actually work). Whether you want to try DIY teeth whitening or purchase items right off Amazon, here’s exactly how to whiten your teeth naturally.
How to Whiten Teeth with Coconut Oil
This was my gateway into natural teeth whitening. I had heard oil pulling was amazing for toxin release, so I decided to melt some coconut oil and give it a try. After swishing for five minutes, I spit out the oil and examined my mouth. I couldn’t tell if any toxins were gone but I could tell my teeth were much whiter.
To try this method, grab a teaspoon of raw coconut oil and put it in your mouth. The goal here is to actively swish it around your mouth for 5-30 minutes. I generally make it no more than ten, but apparently the longer you swish the brighter your teeth.
How to Whiten Teeth with Baking Soda
Baking soda is one of the most effective tooth whiteners, especially when it’s combined with hydrogen peroxide. Simply combine a tablespoon of baking soda, a few drops of hydrogen peroxide, and 3 drops of peppermint essential oil. Add it to your toothbrush and brush your teeth two times per week for whiter teeth. You can also try an at-home paste made with turmeric powder, coconut oil, and baking soda.
How to Whiten Teeth with Fruit
There are plenty of natural fruits that will help your teeth stay white and bright. One popular method is to take 3-4 strawberries, mash them up and leave the mixture on your teeth for 3-5 minutes. When finished, use a cloth to remove the berries and rinse well. Apples are also said to be an effective whitener thanks to their fibrous nature.
How to Whiten Teeth with Activated Charcoal
If you are part of the healthy living scene, you have probably heard of activated charcoal. It is an incredibly potent substance that keeps things from being absorbed by the body. In fact, activated charcoal is even used in emergency rooms to help keep poisons from being absorbed. For us, activated charcoal is great to have on hand if you suffer from leaky gut or food intolerances.
It also happens to be a pretty fantastic natural teeth whitener. This method can be messy, but it is super effective. One important point to know with charcoal teeth whitening is you need to pat or run the charcoal onto your teeth rather than scrub as it can harm your tooth enamel over time. Here
are three ways to give it a try:
Charcoal Teeth Whitening Powder
One of the most popular ways to use charcoal is in the form of a teeth whitening powder. This “whitening powder” contains orange seed oil, bentonite, baking soda, and charcoal.
Activated Charcoal Capsules
If you keep activated charcoal capsules on-hand for food intolerances, leaky gut, or gas relief, simply break open the capsule and dump it onto your toothbrush to whiten teeth.
Activated Charcoal Toothpaste
Charcoal toothpaste may be the easiest and is definitely the least messy. Some argue that the charcoal could harm your teeth enamel if you brush vigorously, so use restraint.
Charcoal Teeth Whitening Without the Mess
It’s practically guaranteed that charcoal teeth whitening powder will leave a massive mess everywhere. If you have never used charcoal teeth whitening products before, be aware that anything and everything the charcoal touches can get stained. Definitely do not wear light-colored clothes you love and make sure to wipe your sink and counter quickly. Your teeth may also be temporarily look black. (It rinses out. I promise.)
To whiten your teeth with charcoal while avoiding a potential mess, you can brush your teeth while in the shower or you can use a “beard bib.”
The Best Natural Teeth Whitening Products to Buy
If you feel that a charcoal teeth whitener isn’t for you, that’s okay. Here are four of my Amazon favorites that will work great—no messy black powder required.
Teeth Whitening Toothpaste
Himalayan Whitening Toothpaste is fluoride free and uses pineapple and papaya enzymes to whiten. Cali White Vegan Whitening Toothpaste not only naturally whitens teeth, but is infused with highly absorbable vitamin B12.
Bee Natural’s Whitening Oral Rinse
Drop the harsh alcohol-filled mouth rinse and go for this one instead. It is fluoride-free and naturally whitens and freshens breath too.
Electric “Whitening” Toothbrush
One of the best ways to get and keep your teeth white is to brush with an electric toothbrush. This particular one comes with a whitening mode.
At-home (Healthy) Teeth Whitening Systems
SNOW is an all-in-one teeth whitening kit that you can do at home. It is void of harmful chemicals, quickly whitens teeth, and is a much less expensive alternative to a professional teeth whitening system. Primal Life Organics also makes a teeth whitening kit using activated charcoal teeth whitening gel and is free of chemicals.
How to Keep Your Teeth White
Now that you’ve whitened your teeth, there are certain foods you can avoid to help keep them that way. These foods include tea, coffee, wine, artificial flavorings, food dyes, tomato sauce, and sodas. I’m not saying that should never have these foods again, but be aware that if you do, they might stain your teeth.
Which one of these methods are you most excited to try? I’d love to hear back about how it works for you!
Tania Griffis is a writer and blogger who lives in the Dallas area with her husband. They are proud new-ish parents to a toddler who is becoming increasingly active, which has spurred them onwards in their natural journey. Tania is passionate about stripping her home of chemicals and creating a beautiful, safe environment for her family to thrive in. You can find her blog at www.runtoradiance.com.
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