Is Natural Teeth Whitening Possible?

Oil pulling, also known as “kavala” or “gundusha,” is an ancient Ayurvedic dental technique that involves swishing a tablespoon of oil in your mouth on an empty stomach for around 20 minutes. This action supposedly draws out toxins in your body, primarily to improve oral health but also to improve your overall health. 

 

Traditionally, sunflower or sesame oil was used for oil pulling. Coconut oil has become a popular choice because it has a pleasant taste and offers other health benefits. Coconut oil has been shown to reduce inflammation and destroy bacteria due to its high lauric acid content. There have been numerous studies done that have shown that daily oil pulling can effectively reduce the amount of bacteria in the mouth. By reducing bacteria levels it can help with gingivitis.

 

Streptococcus mutans is one of the primary types of bacteria in the oral cavity that cause plaque and gingivitis. One research study found that daily swishing with sesame oil significantly reduced Streptococcus mutans in saliva in as little as just one week. There have been no definitive research studies to prove that oil pulling acts in a teeth whitening capacity. Many people that regularly use oil pulling have claimed their teeth are whiterand brighter after routinely oil pulling. Since it is a safe practice it is worth trying for teeth whitening.

 

 

Place approximately 1 tablespoon of coconut oil in your mouth and push and pull the oil around your mouth and through your teeth. Coconut oil is a solid at room temperature, so you may need to wait a few seconds for it to melt.

 

Try to continue the oil pulling for at least 15–20 minutes. For the safety of the pipes in your home, spit the oil into the trash can and not down the drain. As mentioned previously, the coconut oil will return to a solid at room temperatures. Safe for daily use in teeth whitening.

Brushing With Baking Soda For Teeth Whitening

Baking soda is known to have natural teeth whitening properties. This is why along with its light abrasiveness it has become popular in commercial oral care and teeth whitening dental products. The abrasiveness can help clean stains that have built up on your teeth but totally safe to your teeth’s enamel.

 

Baking soda has the added property of being alkaline in your mouth which can help prevent bacteria from multiplying. It is important to note using baking soda as a teeth whitener will be a slow process. Results will not happen quickly. Research has not yet proven that brushing with plain baking soda will have any teeth whitening effect, but several studies show that toothpaste coupled with baking soda can have a significant teeth whitening effect.

 

Toothpastes containing baking soda have been shown to be significantly more effective at removing yellow stains from teeth than standard toothpastes without baking soda. The higher the concentration of baking soda, the greater the effect.

 

 

Mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda with 2 teaspoons of water. Then brush your teeth as normal with the baking soda paste. Again this is very safe and can be done multiple times per week if you wish.

Hydrogen Peroxide As A Teeth Whitener

Hydrogen peroxide is used by your dentist in their own teeth whitening products so we know it is effective and safe when used properly. Your dentist’s products will contain higher concentrations of Hydrogen peroxide. 

 

Hydrogen peroxide has been proven to be a natural bleaching agent that also kills bacteria in your mouth. Many commercial whitening products contain hydrogen peroxide, although at a much higher concentration than you will use. Using hydrogen peroxide in high concentrations or lengthy times can cause damage to your teeth’s enamel layer so it is important to use under supervision.

 

 

Common concentrations of hydrogen peroxide at the drugstore is a 3% solution. You can and should dilute this concentration to 1.5% by mixing equal parts peroxide and water. Another way to use hydrogen peroxide is by mixing it with baking soda to make a toothpaste. Combine 2 teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide with 1 teaspoon of baking soda and gently brush your teeth with the mixture. Limit the use of this homemade paste to a few times per week. Overuse can erode your tooth enamel with extended use.

Apple Cider Vinegar For Teeth Whitening

Historically, apple cider vinegar is used as a disinfectant and natural cleaning product. The main ingredient is acetic acid which effectively kills bacteria. This bacterial agent can also make it effective in the mouth. A study performed on cow teeth found that apple cider vinegar does indeed have a teeth whitening effect on teeth. Unfortunately, they also found that vinegar may erode the enamel layor of teeth. Apple cider vinegar should not be used daily. You should also limit the amount of time that apple cider vinegar is in contact with your teeth

 

 

Dilute the vinegar with water and swish it around in your mouth for several minutes. Make sure to rinse your mouth with plain water afterwards to limit the acid effect on your teeth throughout rest of day.

Fruits and Vegetables

Strawberries are believed to help with teeth whitening.

Strawberries

Teeth whitening with a strawberry and baking soda mixture is a natural remedy for teeth whitening. Favorites of this method claim that the malic acid found in strawberries will remove staining present on your teeth, while the baking soda will wipe away stains. While strawberries may help exfoliate your teeth and make them appear whiter, they are unlikely to penetrate the stains on your teeth. 

 

Recent studies have found that a strawberry and baking soda mixture produced little to no color change in teeth, compared to commercial teeth whitening products. Do not use this teeth whitening method more than a few times a week to be safe.