If you’re looking to beautify and spruce up your oral hygiene, there are so many techniques that you might have seen around. But just how trustworthy are all of these tooth whitening methods? From whitening strips to cosmetic bleaching, there are certainly plenty of options that you could go for without looking back, but if you want to think long-term with your oral health and wellness, there are so many ways that you can safely whiten your teeth — that actually work, too! Here are a few of the ways that you can whiten your teeth safely.
Oil Pulling
Oil pulling has sometimes been thought of as a trend, but it actually shows real results for those on the hunt for a little boost. Although it may sound a bit strange, oil pulling is when you use natural oils to remove toxins from the body, including from the mouth. This is a practice that many repeat daily, and it involves taking a tablespoon of oil — most often coconut oil — into your mouth and swishing it around for at least a minute. This can not only help to whiten your teeth, but also to protect them.
Baking Soda
Baking soda can be used to clean many things, including your teeth. Although baking soda creates an alkaline environment in your mouth in order to prevent bacteria, preventing bacteria isn’t the only thing that it does. Brushing with baking soda can whiten and brighten your teeth, and there are a few different ways to do it. While you can use standard baking soda, you can also find natural whitening products like toothpaste that involve baking soda.
Flossing
Even though you might not think of this as a way to whiten your teeth, never underestimate the power of a good floss. Not only is it important to floss every day in order to get rid of remaining food particles or buildup in your mouth, but flossing can also help to keep your teeth clean overtime so that you don’t accumulate any stains or discoloration, especially in hard-to-reach areas. Just like brushing, you should be doing this daily.
Whitening Toothpaste
One of the easiest ways to include whitening in your standard oral hygiene routine is to invest in a whitening toothpaste. Although some more standard methods of teeth whitening can cause sensitivity and strip the enamel, you can find a great whitening toothpaste that works for sensitive teeth in order to make sure that you are caring for your health in all aspects. Not only is this an easy option to keep up with, but it can also give you the slight boost that you need in order to get a bit more shine.
Limit Staining Foods and Drinks
This one might be one of the toughest calls that you have to make, but I can definitely have a large impact in the long run when it comes to whitening your teeth and keeping them bright. Everything is okay in moderation sometimes, but it is important to recognize that foods like coffee, red wine, chocolate and black tea can be difficult for the teeth. These foods and drinks can cause lasting stains that you don’t need, so try to switch out at least a few of them for safer counterparts, or at least try using a straw.
Turmeric
A long-held secret of many, turmeric can also be a great tool to help whiten the teeth. Whether you brush with turmeric powder or you use a turmeric paste, this warm spice is known for being able to turn yellow teeth white after significant staining. Just make sure that you are ready for the taste of this bitter spice.
Safe Ways to Whiten Your Teeth
There are so many different methods out there for whitening your teeth, and some of them are safer than others. If you are on the hunt for ways to whiten your teeth that aren’t going to strip your enamel or bite you back in the long run, you might want to give some of these methods a try. Whether you feel like giving oil pulling a try or you simply want to find a whitening toothpaste that works for you, you can figure out the best option for you and your health.