Dr. Sannia, Author at Living Healthier

Teeth play an important role in our overall appearance. While maintaining dental health is of course essential, having clean, white, shiny teeth is something that the large majority aspire to. Modern diet and lifestyle changes are having a large impact not only on general health, but also on our dental health which bears witness to more issues than ever before. Our diets include acidic fizzy drinks, sugar and junk food, all of which are harmful to teeth and the enamel coating, which is essential to maintaining white teeth. Cigarettes, coffee and tea are part of every day life and cause staining on teeth which can be hard to remove. Staining and yellowing of the teeth is known as decolorization and still remains the most common dental problem. There are many advanced treatments available to reverse these issues, but they are usually expensive so most people do not opt for them. The good news is there are lots of natural ways to whiten your teeth at home that are cheap and effective. This article is going to discuss the most helpful ways to whiten teeth using natural ingredients... 1 Baking Soda. Baking soda is an old favourite used for teeth whitening and it works! You can add it to your tooth paste or use it alone. Brush your teeth with baking soda for 1 to 2 minutes once a day and rinse well with water. Repeat this on a regular basis and results will start showing within a short time. However, this should not be used on a long term basis as it has the ability to damage the enamel of your teeth, so use with caution. 2 Oil Pulling. Oil pulling is an ancient Ayurvedic dental technique, also known as "kavala" or "gundusha," to maintain oral hygiene by swishing oil in the mouth. Different oils can be used, but coconut oil is a popular choice. Swish 1 tablespoon of oil around the mouth over a period of 15 to 20 minutes. Repeat daily in order to get visible and consistent results. Oils contain anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. They hinder the growth of plaque-forming bacteria and hence, the discolorization of teeth. It's also an alternative to flossing your teeth! More methods on the next page... 3 Hydrogen Peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is a widely used bleaching agent and it can also help with teeth whitening. Moreover, it has anti-bacterial properties which are helpful in maintaining oral hygiene. Hydrogen peroxide can be used in two different ways. The first is to use it as a mouth wash. For this purpose, you need to dilute it by adding water. Use equal amounts of hydrogen peroxide and water, and mix them. Use this mouth wash after brushing your teeth. The second way is to mix hydrogen peroxide with baking soda to form a paste of thick consistency. Brush the paste directly onto your teeth. 4 Activated Charcoal. Activated charcoal has been used since the olden days and has proven to be very effective. Activated charcoal has binding abilities and it literally binds away stains present on the teeth, leaving a white smile in their place. It is available in the form of powder that can be applied directly to your tooth brush. Brush for 2 minutes and rinse thoroughly. 5 Papaya Fruit. Papaya is a rich source of the enzyme Papain. This enzyme helps to remove superficial stains from the teeth. Papain is present in higher concentrations in unripe fruit which in turn has the benefit of lower sugar levels, also good for teeth. Regularly adding papaya to your salad can help maintain dental health and gain a brighter smile. Some other fruits also carry such benefits, such as pineapple, strawberry and apple. 6 Apple Cider Vinegar. Apple cider vinegar is a commonly found household item. While it can be used in cooking and for skin problems, it carries many benefits for your teeth as well. Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid which is a natural disinfectant and a bleaching agent. Being a disinfectant, it halts the growth of harmful bacteria in the oral cavity which further prevents plaque formation. Moreover, its bleaching properties help remove superficial stains. Dilute the vinegar with water and use as a mouthwash. The acidic pH can lead to enamel erosion so this method should not be used on a daily or long term basis. 7 Sea Salt. Sea salt has anti-bacterial properties which are helpful in preventing bacterial growth in the mouth and in turn, plaque formation. Furthermore, sea salt has a grainy texture which mechanically removes plaque and stains. Using a small amount of sea salt from your store cupboard, brush your teeth with it for a few minutes. Brush your teeth gently. and make sure that you are not being too aggressive. 8 Kaolin Clay. Kaolin clay contains many minerals which help take stains off your teeth. Using kaolin clay is a safe method as it is soft and does not damage your teeth enamel at all. Compared to its abrasiveness, its ability to remove stains is quite high. It takes time to see a visible difference using kaolin clay but it is safe to use regularly compared to some other methods. Use it with your toothbrush to brush your teeth. 9 Fruit Peel. Ever thought that fruit peel could be useful outside of the kitchen? Well, they are when it comes to teeth whitening! Many fruit peels contain enzymes which can help remove stains from your teeth. Banana, orange and lemon peels are particularly helpful in this regard. Peel your fruit and rub the inner side of the peel on your teeth for some time. Rinse your mouth afterwards. Repeat frequently. 10 Clove Power. Cloves are a common spice found in the store cupboard. They have great anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties which not only help maintain good oral hygiene, but also prevent plaque formation and tooth staining. Put clove powder directly onto your toothbrush and brush as normal. All of the above methods can help remove stains from your teeth, creating a whiter smile. Consistency is the key, however, and results will not always be immediate so be patient! Remember that some methods can also damage tooth enamel with long term use, so diligence is also necessary. Don't forget these methods are to be used alongside regular brushing and not instead of!

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