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They say a smile is worth a hundred gestures…and a perfect smile is worth a million!
For some of us however, the perfect smile remains elusive because of bad, discolored or yellow teeth. Years of poor dental hygiene and poor lifestyle choices (e.g. smoking) may have taken their toll on our teeth, and age only makes it worse.
There are dental procedures, like laser whitening, that can shave a shade or two off your yellowing teeth. However, some of those procedures are expensive, they can be painful, and they may even cause damage (erode enamel) to extremely sensitive teeth.
The good news is that there are natural remedies to make your yellow teeth shine brighter.
Here are a few of them to consider, but first, please consider the following disclaimer:
Please consult with a healthcare professional before attempting to whiten your teeth with any of the items below. The information on this site is provided as an information resource only, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. This information is not intended to be patient education, and should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment.
1. Baking Soda
Used as an ingredient in most toothpaste, Baking Soda is an extremely useful, and relatively cheap, tool in fighting yellow teeth.
- Create a solution with a tablespoon of Baking Soda, 3% Hydrogen peroxide in cup of water and use as a mouthwash a couple of times a day
- A solution of Baking Soda and lemon juice in some water makes a great paste to brush with once a week
- Once a week, add a supplement of Baking Soda to your regular tooth paste and brush with it
Caution: Baking Soda has abrasive qualities to it, so don’t use these remedies excessively. Additionally, these tricks/tips are meant to supplement, NOT REPLACE, your regular dental hygiene habits.
2. Banana Peels
Banana’s are rich in minerals such as manganese, magnesium and potassium that are easily absorbed by teeth, and also help with de-staining yellow teeth.
- Use the insides of a banana peel to gently rub on your teeth for about 3 or 4 minutes. After waiting for a few minutes, proceed to brush your teeth (without toothpaste) using the banana peel
- Continue this process for a few weeks before results start showing
Tip: Pealing the banana from bottom up leaves more of the desirable attributes (the “stringy stuff”) on the peel.
3. Strawberries
Strawberries are rich in vitamin C. Make a paste of a couple of them by crushing them and then using the paste once a day to rub onto yellow teeth.
The Vitamin C, coupled with the abrasive quality of the crushed seeds, can help make teeth whiter.
Caution: Strawberries are rich in sugar and are acidic in nature. Rinse with water a few minutes after completing this ritual.
4. Fruits and Veggies
Biting into crisp and crunchy fruits and vegetable, like Apples and Carrots, can act as a natural teeth whitening process.
The surface of the crunchy foods act as a light and natural “sand paper” to gently remove plaque and stains from your teeth.
It is worth reiterating that excessive use of whitening products can cause damage to tooth enamel. Use these remedies judiciously and you should be able to restore your million dollar smile in a short while.
Healthy Natural Habits For A Whiter Smile
The natural remedies highlighted here will go a long way to help brighten your yellow teeth.
However, in addition to using these tips, make sure you follow these healthy habits to give the remedies a chance to dazzle your smile:
- Opt for a calcium-rich diet by eating dairy products and foods rich in vitamin D (Yogurt, Milk, Cheese)
- Stay away from too much sugar – candy, ice cream etc.
- Quit smoking!
- Reduce alcoholic beverages, especially dark/red wine
The best advice anyone can give you for fighting yellowing teeth, however, is to practice good dental hygiene. For impatient patients, there are other teeth whitening procedures that can be taken.
Regular brushing, flossing (the right way) and frequent (regular) visits to your dental hygienist can go a long way to not only whitening your teeth, but also preventing them from getting yellow or stained in the first place.
For more dental health information, visit the Dental Guide Australia.
