Keeping teeth bright and white is a constant battle, especially if you’re a coffee or wine drinker. The good news is that hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and activated charcoal are all common at-home natural teeth whitening remedies without the harsh chemicals (source). Learn how to get whiter teeth without the bleach!
How To Do Natural Teeth Whitening
Can I let you guys in on a secret? I used to be a smoker. (I know, gasp!) One of the things that helps keep that bad habit at bay—besides, of course, my health and the general grossness of it—is the fact that I’m really paranoid about having yellow teeth. And I’m sure coffee does enough damage on its own without me adding to it with cigarettes.
There are lots of teeth-bleaching agents out there, including those whitening strips that I am absolutely terrified of (do you have to rip them off?!). But many of those harsh products can damage your mouth, causing your gums to recede faster and your teeth to become brittle and sensitive. I think we’d all agree it’s better to have teeth that are a little yellow than chipping and breaking.
For those who want whiter teeth the natural way, here are a few easy ways to get started at home:
1. How to whiten teeth with baking soda
Baking soda is an all-purpose household wonder, and that’s true when it comes to whitening your teeth as well [source].
—Baking soda toothpaste
My dental hygienist swears by baking soda for removing stains and nourishing the gums, so I always add it to my homemade toothpaste. It removes plaque while polishing teeth, and it’s alkaline so it can helps reduce acidity in the mouth. Plus it contains minerals which are beneficial for both teeth and gums.
—Baking soda scrub
If DIY toothpaste isn't your jam, try a simple scrub:
1. Mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda with enough water to create a paste. Apply the paste to your toothbrush.
2. Brush your teeth with the baking soda paste for 2 minutes. Spit out the paste and rinse your mouth thoroughly with water.
3. Repeat this process once a week until you achieve the desired level of whiteness.
Note: Using baking soda too frequently or for too long can damage your tooth enamel, so it's important to use this method in moderation.
—Baking soda + sage whitening polish
This teeth whitening scrub made with dried sage, a little salt and baking soda whitens my teeth getting without any harsh chemicals. It only needs to be used once or twice a week because it can be slightly abrasive, but when used sparingly it will naturally remove buildup and stains which cause yellow-looking teeth.
—2 tablespoons baking soda
—1 tablespoon dried sage, finely ground
—2 teaspoons fine sea salt
—2 drops peppermint essential oil
Combine the dry ingredients in a bowl and add the peppermint oil. Stir well to combine. I like to transfer my sage tooth scrub powder to an airtight jar that I can keep in my bathroom, but you can also store it in a bowl covered with plastic wrap.
To use, dip a wet toothbrush into the scrub and brush teeth as normal, making sure to be gentle and pay attention to brushing the front of teeth really well. Rinse your mouth out with warm water and run your toothbrush under the tap for 30 seconds to get rid of any lingering powder. Do this once or twice a week as needed.
—Baking soda mouthwash
This DIY mouthwash uses peppermint and tea tree essential oils, so it freshens breath, kills bad germs, and leaves your mouth feeling sparkling clean without burning. It also contains minerals to help replenish mineral stores in your teeth and gums and baking soda to help remove stains, deodorize, and whiten teeth. It truly does it all and tastes great to boot.
2. Activated charcoal for teeth whitening
Activated charcoal is a highly porous substance that readily binds to the teeth-staining tannins found in most food and drink. It is often added to toothpaste and has been shown to whiten teeth with continuous use [source].
—Charcoal scrub
To use it for teeth whitening, simply empty a small capsule of activated charcoal into a cup and mix it with a tiny amount of water. Apply to your teeth using a toothbrush, and allow it to sit for several minutes before rinsing.
—Activated charcoal toothpaste
Or combine it with baking soda for a weekly scrub:
—2 tablespoon baking soda
—1 tablespoon activated charcoal powder
—1 tablespoon coconut oil
—1-2 drops of peppermint essential oil (optional)
Instructions:
1. Mix the baking soda and activated charcoal powder together in a small bowl.
2. Add the coconut oil and mix well until a paste is formed.
3. Add peppermint essential oil for flavor and mix well.
4. Apply the paste onto your toothbrush and brush your teeth for 2-3 minutes.
5. Rinse thoroughly with water.
—Charcoal toothbrush
Try a toothbrush with charcoal-infused bristles (how cool is that?) for extra cleaning and whitening power.
3. Turmeric for teeth whitening
Who would have thought that the spice most likely to stain your clothes yellow (in fact, it’s used as a dye) could whiten your teeth? I know—counterintuitive! Though hasn’t been proven in studies turmeric has been used in traditional medicine for gum disease [source] and killing mouth bacteria [source]. Many also swear by its ability to whiten teeth.
—Turmeric scrub
Turmeric’s tooth-whitening power is subtle and somewhat of a mystery, but try dipping a toothbrush in ⅛ teaspoon of organic turmeric, applying it to your teeth, and letting it sit about 3 minutes before rinsing well and brushing with your normal toothpaste (like this homemade one).
—Turmeric + baking soda scrub
1. Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda and ½ teaspoon of turmeric in a small bowl.
2. Add 1-2 drops of peppermint essential oil for flavor and mix well.
3. Apply the mixture to your teeth and gently scrub for 2-3 minutes.
4. Rinse your mouth with water and brush your teeth as usual.
The results won’t be dramatic, but it will help! Oh, and make sure you use a dedicated toothbrush for this purpose.
4. Bentonite clay for teeth whitening
Bentonite clay works in much the same way as activated charcoal. It’s a highly absorbent substance that readily binds to stains on the surface of the teeth. It also contains a number of beneficial vitamins and minerals that can help strengthen tooth enamel and remineralize teeth.
—Bentonite clay scrub
Combine clay with baking soda to make a DIY brightening tooth powder that whitens without the harsh, irritating chemicals contain in commercial products.
—2 tablespoon baking soda
—1 tablespoon bentonite clay
—1 tablespoon coconut oil
—1-2 drops of peppermint essential oil (optional)
1. Mix the baking soda and bentonite clay together in a small bowl.
2. Add the coconut oil and mix well until a paste is formed.
3. Add peppermint essential oil for flavor and mix well.
4. Apply the paste onto your toothbrush and brush your teeth for 2-3 minutes.
5. Rinse thoroughly with water.
Note: It's important to use activated charcoal and bentonite clay in moderation and to follow the recommended usage instructions to avoid any potential risks or negative effects.
5. How to whiten teeth with hydrogen peroxide
Freshen your mouth while you whiten your teeth by adding hydrogen peroxide, which has a direct bleaching action on teeth [source], to a homemade toothpaste. The peroxide is intense but worth it!
—Whitening toothpaste with hydrogen peroxide
—4 tablespoons baking soda
—2 tablespoons coconut oil
—2 tablespoons hydrogen peroxide
—10 drops cinnamon oil
—10 drops clove oil
—A few drops of stevia (optional)
Combine the ingredients together to form a paste. Transfer to an airtight jar and store in the cupboard.
—Swish after brushing
Or try adding a daily swish with hydrogen peroxide after you brush. My daily routine is oil pulling, brushing, then swishing with peroxide—in that order. My mouth always feels so fresh and clean, almost like I just got back from the dentist. I love it!
6. How to whiten teeth with coconut oil
This ancient remedy is great for strengthening gums, freshening breath, and whitening teeth (among many, many other things). It takes some getting used to, but we swear by it.
—Oil pulling
Studies show that the lauric acid in coconut oil helps to rid your teeth and gums of bacteria while it binds to toxins and draws them out of your teeth. When done regularly, oil pulling has been shown to reduce plaque and staining [source].
Try swishing a tablespoon-sized amount of coconut oil in your mouth for 15 minutes once per day. Read our guide to oil pulling for more tips and tricks for making it work.
—Coconut oil toothpaste
1. Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda and 1 tablespoon of coconut oil in a small bowl.
2. Add 2-3 drops of vanilla extract for flavor and mix well.
3. Apply the mixture to your teeth and gently scrub for 2-3 minutes.
4. Rinse your mouth with water and repeat twice daily.
7. Whiten teeth with strawberries
Here’s another weird one: Berries tend to stain things too, but they contain citric and malic acids, meaning they’re also a great stain remover [source]. Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, removes plaque while polishing teeth, so the combination of these two ingredients makes for a powerful and affordable smile enhancer.
—Strawberry scrub
Make this strawberry paste, and let it sit on your teeth for 5 minutes before rinsing.
—1 strawberry
—½ teaspoon baking soda
—Toothbrush
1. In a bowl, mash the strawberry with a fork, then add the ½ teaspoon of baking soda. Mix the two together thoroughly.
2. Using your toothbrush, apply the mixture to your teeth and brush gently for 2 to 4 minutes all over your ivories. Rinse your mouth, floss any strawberry seeds from between your teeth and gums, and then brush with your regular toothbrush to reveal a brighter smile.
8. Whiten teeth with banana peel
The stringy, fleshy side of the banana peel is chock full of good-for-you vitamins and minerals like potassium, magnesium, and manganese, which can get absorbed by tooth enamel and help lessen stains [source]. All you have to do is rub the fleshy side of the banana peel against your teeth for several seconds until you have created a paste.
Let this sit for 10 minutes, being sure to keep your lips away from the paste as much as possible. When the time is up, brush your teeth like you regularly would with toothpaste and water.
9. Whiten teeth with lemon
Lemons contain citric acid, which has mild whitening properties, but they can also erode tooth enamel and cause damage to the teeth so use with caution.
—Rub with the peel
Rub the inside white part of a lemon peel onto your teeth.
—Lemon and honey scrub
1. Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda, 1 teaspoon of honey, and the juice of half a lemon in a bowl.
2. Mix well until you have a paste-like consistency.
3. Apply the mixture to your teeth and gently scrub for 2-3 minutes.
4. Rinse your mouth with water and brush your teeth as usual.
10. Natural Teeth Whitening Foods
—Eat more pineapple and orange
Some fruits and vegetables contain organic acids, and evidence has shown that increasing plants in the diet seems to maintain teeth color. Pineapples and oranges have an enzyme in common that has been shown to actually whiten teeth—bromelain [source].
This anti-inflammatory compound carries other therapeutic properties, such as keeping bacteria at bay, promoting wound healing, suppressing cancer cells, and improving circulation [source].
Add some pineapple to your diet with a tasty smoothie (that also beats bloating!).
—Snack on strawberries & apples
These contain malic acid, which acts as a natural whitening agent and helps remove surface stains from teeth.
—Drink apple cider vinegar
Among its plethora of beauty, wellness, and household uses, ACV helps whiten teeth when swished around the mouth before brushing. Make sure to do this remedy only occasionally, as vinegar can be hard on your teeth. Dilute the vinegar with water (or one of these ACV drink ideas) if the taste is too much for you.
—Crunchy foods
Crunchy vegetables like carrots and celery can help scrub away plaque and surface stains from teeth. Vegetables like broccoli, which are high in fiber, can help scrub teeth and remove surface stains.
Have you tried any of these whitening remedies? Which is your favorite?
This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Gina Jansheski, a licensed, board-certified physician who has been practicing for more than 20 years. Learn more about Hello Glow's medical reviewers here. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.
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