6 Ways to Whiten Your Teeth Naturally

Baking soda and peroxide

Dr. Kasarsky recommends brushing with a mixture of baking soda and peroxide. The mix should feature one tablespoon of baking soda and two tablespoons of three percent hydrogen peroxide. The combo helps clean surface stains and “the baking soda creates an environment that prevents bacteria from growing,” says the dentist.

Hydrogen peroxide and water    

Some dentists recommend using a combination of peroxide and water. Beverly Hills cosmetic dentist Victoria Veytsman, DDS says, “the one active ingredient that will really oxidize stains off would be hydrogen peroxide.” She suggests making a diluted mixture and brushing with it occasionally. Dr. Kasarsky recommends creating a mixture of equal parts three percent hydrogen peroxide and water. He advises to swish it and spit it out three times a day.

Coconut oil

Is there anything coconut oil isn’t good for? Both Dr. Kasarsky and Dr. Veytsman note they have patients that are fans of oil pulling, “which is essentially swishing with coconut oil to pull toxins out,” explains Dr. Veytsman. According to Dr. Kasarsky, the lauric acid in the oil can also work to reduce tissue inflammation and combat bacteria.

Alkaline water

Rockville, MD cosmetic dentist Joe Kravitz, DDS cites his own book Dirty Mouth which says that alkaline water, with a pH of 7.1 or higher, can help make your teeth whiter. However, not all water is made the same. Acidic waters can cause your teeth to turn an unpleasant shade. Dr. Kravitz says a patient of his needed veneers to restore the damage done by drinking a gallon of carbonated water daily.

Baking soda, strawberries and pineapple

Mixing a handful of things thought to enhance teeth whiteness may be a good way to try a bunch of techniques in one shot. Dr. Kasarsky says he’s heard of people using “mashed strawberries and pineapple mixed with baking soda to make a slurry, then brushing with the slurry.”

Strawberries are full of malic acid, which works as a natural astringent to remove discoloration from the surface of your teeth. Pineapple is the only food that naturally contains bromelain, a compound with anti-inflammatory and cleansing properties that are often found in stain-removing toothpaste.

Crunchy foods

While there are some dangerously crunchy foods, like rock candy or caramel corn, others may actually benefit your teeth. According to Dr. Veytsman, “crunchy foods like apples can potentially help remove stains.” That signature crunch can gently scrub stains and clear out bacteria.