•Without The Huge Dentist Bills!
We would all love to have sparkly white teeth, but the truth is, just like skin, our teeth have pores and anything we put into our mouths, will be absorbed into these pores. Overtime, they stain our teeth, and a build-up of this will dim their shine! Some foods or drinks are known for their discolouring effects. These include the likes of coffee, tea, soda, and cigarettes of course. Additionally, plaque build-up on your teeth can cause them to look yellow.
Here are 5 simple ways you can naturally whiten your teeth.
BAKING SODA AND LEMON
This is probably the most common teeth whitening home remedy, partly because it’s a very easy method to achieve. All you have to do is squeeze the lemons into a small bowl and add a tea spoon of baking soda. The consistency you should be aiming for is a very thick paste. Before you apply, remove the excess saliva and plaque from your teeth with a cotton swab, then brush on the mixture generously. Don’t leave it on for more than one minute because the active ingredients are acidic and erode tooth enamel. Doctors also advice that you don’t use this more than once a week. Did you know that either one of these ingredients works extremely well, but together they are super effective!!
ACTIVATED CHARCOAL
I know you think I’m crazy but many people actually swear by this. I was skeptical at first but then, I gave it a try and have been impressed with the results over time. All you have to do is dip a brush into some powdered charcoal and brush as normal. It is super important to use activated charcoal from food/medical grade source (please note that this is not the same as the one from your BBQ grill). The way this works is simple, the activated charcoal is a porous substance that binds to things like tannins that stain teeth and leaves them yellow or brown. After applying the charcoal, rinse it out and then brush as usual (with toothpaste). You will be amazed.
TUMERIC
This is another counter-intuitive method that actually works. It is known for staining things but works in a similar way to activated charcoal. It is known to have a positive effect on gingival inflammation and dental pain, while giving you an additional whitening effect.
CITRUS PEELS
Some say that using citrus fruits – including lemon and/or orange peels which contain beneficial acids – also does the trick for whitening teeth. It also a very simple method. All you have to do is take the inner part of the peels and use them to scrub your teeth thoroughly. Leave for 5 minutes and then rinse out. The high acid content can eventually wear away the enamel on the teeth if used too aggressively so limit this method to once or twice a week.
APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
ACV, as it is often called, works as a natural antibiotic and teeth/gum cleanser. It contains compounds like acetic acid, potassium, magnesium, probiotics and enzymes which kill bad bacteria and encourage the growth of probiotic bacteria. ACV is effective for removing stubborn stains caused by coffee and smoking. Application is simple. Use the apple cider vinegar on your teeth and then rinse out after a few minutes. Some report that after using this method, it looks like you got your teeth professionally cleaned.
Before embarking on these, do more research! Know your mouth. If your teeth are already too sensitive, choose methods that wouldn’t worsen this.
Some tooth discoloration is caused by the enamel (outer layer of the teeth) eroding away and exposing the dentin (inner layer of the teeth) underneath, which is normally yellow in colour. So, a happy and strengthened enamel will help maintain your white sparkly teeth. Food rich in Calcium such as cheese and milk will help prevent enamel erosion.
Lastly, do not underestimate the power of brushing and flossing to prevent the build up of plaque in your teeth! There is a cap on how white your teeth can get, based on each individual’s case.
Email:eshobanjo@outlook.com, Instagram: @shomya_lag, Elaine Shobanjo is an award winning makeup artist and the CEO of ShoMya Cosmetics & Luxury Salon in Lekki.
