Who wants a yellow smile? Not that anyone ever did, but in today’s modern age it seems like a lot of people’s pearly whites are getting whiter and whiter. In our selfie- taking society that is over-consumed with appearance and image, extra-white teeth are the new black and yellow grins are out.
If your teeth aren’t exactly the shade of snow, you’re not alone. Americans spend over a billion dollars a year on products that promise to whiten their smiles, with 74% believing that a yellow smile hinders career success. Career success isn’t the only thing yellow teeth can get in the way of. It’s pretty hard to be self-confident and feel your best when your teeth are yellow and you’re self-conscious to let your smile shine.
Many people are turning towards the numerous products that promise a whiter smile. The thing is, all these products are completely chemical based and may end up doing more harm than good after using them for an extended period of time.
The good news is you don’t need to use any of these products to get the white smile you’re looking for. There are tons of natural remedies that you can use to lighten your smile and leave you feeling your best. These at-home methods are all extremely easy, effective, and won’t cost you a ton of money.
Before you try any of these natural remedies at home, understanding what causes yellow teeth in the first place will allow you to make the necessary changes to your life to make sure you’re preventing yellow teeth as much as possible. Knowing what causes yellow teeth is a great way to take the preventative measures to keep teeth from getting any more yellow than they already are.
After you’ve seen what causes your yellow smile, you can look to any of the natural remedies we’ve found to give you the beaming smile you deserve. Nature has given us all we need to stay healthy and look our best, including a naturally gorgeous smile. Here we’ll find out what’s caused your yellow teeth and then look at the great ways that you can make them go away. That being said, lets find out what are the best natural remedies to get rid of yellow teeth?
5 Causes of Yellow Teeth
- Food & Drink Stains
It’s really no secret that there are certain foods and drinks that seriously damage your smile. We all know how much American’s love their coffee, which is surprising when you think about how much they want a whiter smile. Coffee is a huge contributor to yellow teeth as is iced tea and soda, especially when drinking through a straw. Red wine and cranberry juice are also contributing culprits.
Foods (and spices) that contribute to a yellow smile include: curry, turmeric, dark sauces, and deeply-rich colored berries. Beets are another big one that will make teeth yellow over time. Drinking water right after eating dark-hued foods will also give your teeth a dingy hue.
- Smoking
No shocker here. A smoker’s smile is not the whitest in the crowd. This is because the smoke stains the outer layer of the teeth, turning them yellow, brown, and even black. Ew. As if there weren’t already enough reasons to quit. Chewing tobacco can also seriously stain your teeth and leave you with a look that is less than becoming. If you’ve got yellow teeth and you’re a smoker, there’s no doubt your habit has a lot to do with things.
- Age
Like many things, tooth enamel loses its original luster with time. Aging has a lot to do with discoloration of your teeth because the outer layer of enamel begins to wear away. If you’re getting older and you notice your white smile isn’t quite what it used to be, you can be sure that this is probably the cause.
- Medication & Illness
Children that are exposed to high levels of fluoride at a young age are prone to experiencing tooth discoloration. Similarly, medications such as tetracycline and amoxicillin have also been shown to cause teeth to turn yellow when given to people of a young age. Illnesses that are associated with excessive vomiting are another contributor to yellow teeth. Problems with the liver will also have a yellowing effect on both teeth and skin.
- Thinning Tooth Enamel
Tooth enamel isn’t really as white as we’re made to think it is. Our teeth have a natural yellowish tint, even though it may be very faint. As tooth enamel thins, more of this yellow tint becomes exposed leaving teeth to appear more yellow. Acidic foods have a thinning effect on the enamel of our teeth. Drinks that have the same result include: soda, orange juice, lemonade, and most alcoholic beverages.
With all these factors that contribute to the color and condition of your teeth, it is super important to practice good dental hygiene. When simple brushing alone doesn’t work to scrub away stains, many people turn to many of the various whitening options that are readily available for their tooth brightening needs. Bleaching trays, white strips, and bleaching products now line the shelves with the many different options of whitening toothpastes.
There’s no doubt that these products work, but they’re not all they’re cracked up to be. While using them once or twice a year for a couple weeks isn’t going to hurt, many people have become so obsessed with attaining pearly whites that they have made them part of their regular routine.
When used too much, bleaching kits and procedures can irritate gums, lead to extreme sensitivity, may cause enamel to turn a bluish tint, and produce uneven whiteness. Not exactly the results most people are looking for when they’re going for a whiter smile. What’s worse is if any of the bleaching agents leek into a cracked tooth or open cavity, it can cause major internal issues leading to further problems (think root canal) down the line.
Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to lighten teeth naturally that won’t cost you much and will protect you from the side effects found in traditional whiteners. If you’re ready for a whiter smile and care about taking care of your body as naturally as possible, look no further than the following easy home-remedies that will give your teeth the white you desire.
12 Home Remedies for Naturally Whiter Teeth
- Baking Soda
Baking soda is considered the best natural whitener there is. It’s a mild abrasive and does an excellent job of making your teeth shine. You can make your own baking soda toothpaste by adding a few drops of water to a bit of baking soda. Brush your teeth like you would with your regular toothpaste up to three times a week. Also, you can make a baking soda rinse by diluting a few tablespoons of baking soda is a glass of water. Rinse with this after you brush your teeth up to two times a day and you’ll notice a big difference in your smile. Be careful about over-using baking soda on your teeth, however. It can actually damage enamel if you use it too much.
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- Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide has shown to remove stains from teeth when used as a rinse. Another way it is effective is when mixed with baking soda to form a natural whitening toothpaste. You can rinse with a solution of equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water and expect to see results. Some people do experience sensitivity to hydrogen peroxide and, if you find that you are one of them, you should discontinue using it immediately. Also, avoid swallowing hydrogen peroxide any time you use it as a rinse.
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- Strawberries
Not only are strawberries one of the sweetest and most loved berries around, they’re packed with antioxidants and just so happens to be amazing at whitening your smile. The malic acid present in strawberries helps to remove surface stains, while the vitamin C acts as a natural cleanser. All you need to do is mash up a couple of these sweet berries and put them on your teeth for a few minutes. Rinse with water and brush your teeth as normal. Strawberries are gentle enough to use every day on your teeth. Doing this a couple times a day for a few weeks will make you see some big changes in your smile.
- Apples
Eating one apple a day will not only keep the doctor away, but will make your teeth noticeably whiter as well. Apples help increase the amount of saliva you produce while the fibers in the apple help to scrub away stains. Just like strawberries, apples contain malic acid that helps with removing those embarrassing yellow stains. Just remember to chew up your apple well, which helps release the malic acid and let it do its job.
- Crunchy Vegetables
Eating crunchy veggies such as carrots, cucumber, broccoli, and celery is an excellent way to get in your greens while whitening your teeth. Carrots are especially great at removing plaque from your teeth and will help kill bacteria by maintaining an alkaline-acid balance in the mouth. Make these crunchy vegetables a regular part of your diet and you’ll begin to notice a much healthier and whiter smile.
- Banana Peel
Bananas are a staple for many people around the world and for good reason. They’re super rich in nutrients and contain the potassium, magnesium, and manganese your body needs. Your teeth also need these minerals to become white and beautiful. Using a banana peel to whiten your teeth may seem a little strange, but it is a remedy that works quite well. Take the inside of a banana peel (the part that has touched the fruit) and rub it onto your teeth for about two minutes. Let this sit for 15 minutes and then brush your teeth as normal. Do this routine two or three times a week and you’ll see the white you desire in your smile in no time.
- Lemon
Lemon is a natural bleaching agent so it only makes sense that it would be a great natural remedy for whitening teeth. Although acidic and not recommended to use every day, it does have a powerful effect on whitening teeth and will give you the results you want. You can use lemon juice mixed with a bit of water as a rinse or also mix it with a pinch of salt and rub it all over your teeth and gums. Leave it sit for a couple minutes and then rinse your mouth with water. You can brush as normal afterwards. Use lemon 2-3 times a week for best results.
- Orange Peel
Using an orange peel is another easy way to whiten teeth that won’t cost you much at all. Not only is it inexpensive, but an orange is one of the best fruits you can put in your body, so you’re really doing yourself a favor with this one. The calcium and vitamin C that are present in the orange work together to fight against microorganisms that may be lurking in your mouth. You can rub the inside of the orange peel directly onto your teeth every single day and know that you’re safe from any further damage and are doing a great thing to whiten up your teeth in one of the most natural ways possible.
- Oil Pulling
Oil pulling is awesome for oral health and will do an amazing job at making teeth noticeably whiter. Oil pulling has been used for thousands of years and is a cornerstone of Ayurveda medicine. Over the past few years, it has become increasingly popular in the West as many find just how amazing this ancient remedy is for a healthier mouth. Getting your teeth whiter with this increasingly popular all-natural method is easy and can safely be used 2-3 times a day. To reap the teeth whitening benefits of oil pulling, simply take 1-2 teaspoons of oil (coconut and sesame are popular) and swish them around in your mouth for 15-20 minutes, being careful not to swallow any of the oil. Spit this out into the trash, rinse with water, and brush your teeth as you normally would. You’ll notice your whiter smile in just a few weeks. Not only is this good for a whiter smile and a healthy mouth, oil pulling will make your skin positively glow. With so many benefits in one, it only makes sense to add oil pulling to part of your daily routine.
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- Holy Basil
Another Ayurveda method of getting whiter teeth is with holy basil. Using dry Tulsi, or holy basil leaves, to make a paste is one of the lesser-known (but well-loved) secrets for a naturally whiter smile. To use holy basil for teeth that shine, simply take powdered holy basil leaves and mix a dab of water to form a thick paste. Brush your teeth with this a couple times a day, rinsing afterwards with cool water. You’ll have a whiter smile in no time and it will also improve oral health and prevent bleeding gums.
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- Aloe Vera
Not just for sunburns, aloe vera is an awesome plant that is used in many remedies for good health. When used to whiten teeth, aloe vera gel is a top-notch natural remedy. It helps to fight against bacteria and works to gently cleanse your teeth. Also, it is a great way to fight against cavities. To use aloe vera gel for whiter teeth, mix the fresh gel with a bit of vegetable glycerin to form a paste. Brush your teeth as you normally would and you will soon find just how beneficial aloe is to whiten your smile.
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- Turmeric
Turmeric is fondly known as “the Eastern secret for radiant skin” and is extremely beneficial to attaining whiter teeth. All you need to do to harness the tooth whitening benefits of turmeric is wet the bristles of your toothbrush and dip it into a bit of turmeric powder. Brush your teeth as you normally would and then let the turmeric powder sit on your teeth for about 5 minutes. Spit this out, rinse thoroughly, and brush your teeth again with your normal toothpaste. If there’s still a yellow tint on your teeth from the turmeric powder, simply rinse again and it will go away. Do this once a day for a week and your smile is sure to shine.
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Recipes for Whiter Teeth
There are a few recipes for whiter teeth that have been handed around and are proving to be some of the best natural DIY recipes for whiter teeth that people have found. If you’re looking for more of a done for you solution, we highly recommend Lucy Bennett’s product. If you’re more of a DIYer, then try making one of these yourself to see what others have found to be some great at-home solutions for the whitest teeth around.
Baking Soda and Lemon Juice Paste
We know that baking soda and lemon are both great remedies for whiter teeth and together they are a true powerhouse for the whiter smile you desire. Baking soda is extremely alkaline so if your yellow tint is caused from acidic foods, it could help balance out the pH of your mouth. It also balances out the acidity of the lemon juice that works as a bleaching agent. The natural bleaching power of the lemon combined with the mild abrasive power of the baking soda blend together beautifully to give you a whiter smile in a completely safe and harmless way.
To make this natural whitening paste, mix a few teaspoons of baking soda with enough fresh lemon juice to form a nice paste. Think toothpaste consistency. Make sure your teeth are wiped clean from any saliva and apply the paste with a toothbrush. Leave this paste on your teeth for one minute and then rinse off. Be sure not to leave it on any longer than a minute so you reduce the chances of the acids of the lemon juice affecting your enamel.
Strawberry, Salt, and Baking Soda Scrub
Combining a trio of ingredients that happen to be great at whitening teeth on their own, this sweet recipe is sure to make you (want to) smile. We know the malic acid in strawberries helps to remove surface stains and that baking soda is an awesome gentle abrasive. Adding salt to the mix that works as another abrasive to scrub away stains makes this whitening blend one of the best around for a perfect at-home whitening treatment.
To make it yourself take a few ripe strawberries and mash them up into a pulp. Next add a pinch of sea salt and a half a teaspoon of baking soda. Mix this all up together and make sure all the saliva is wiped off your teeth before you apply it. Put it onto a toothbrush and apply it onto your teeth. Let it sit for 5 minutes and then rinse it off. This method is gentle enough to use every night. Do it for a few weeks and you’re going to see a noticeable difference in your smile.
Embracing Your Naturally White Smile
If you’re someone who’s got yellow teeth, your life will never be the same after you use some of these remedies and recipes for whiter teeth. There’s nothing quite as satisfying as feeling your best and having a white smile is something that will surely give you the self-confidence you deserve.
Many of the remedies have been used for ages with extremely beneficial results and once you try them, you may just wonder why everyone isn’t using them. A naturally whiter smile is something everyone deserves and, for those who care about keeping harmful chemicals out of their lives, these remedies for a whiter smile can’t be beat.
Embracing a naturally white smile is something that is attainable for everyone and when you look towards and utilize these natural solutions for a whiter smile, that’s exactly what you’ll do. A whiter smile can be yours and, once you try any of these all-natural remedies, you’ll see the results you’re looking for and believe even more in the power of natural medicine. Try them today and begin to embrace a new confidence as you smile whiter than you have in years.