How to Make Your Own Tooth Whitener

There are a lot of teeth whitening products out there as well as several different whitening recipes that you can make at home. I would use caution when it comes to dental hygiene and homemade teeth whitening. A lot of recipes might work at whitening your teeth, but some of the them run the risk of damaging the enamel on your teeth in the process. If you hear about a homemade tooth whitening idea, it’s a good idea to do research on it first.

A lot of people say that lemons and strawberries are great for whitening teeth, but because of the high acidity of these fruits, you can do more harm than good. I would suggest to avoid recipes that whiten with Vitamin C: stay away from these products to avoid hurting your mouth. The bottom line is, if you start using a product and begin to notice your teeth feel more sensitive, discontinue use immediately.

• Red wine

• Coffee

• Soft Drinks and other sugary drinks

• Tea

• Tomato sauce

• Soy sauce

• Curry and turmeric

• Berries (strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries)

• Candy

Avoid foods that are known to stain your teeth.

If you eat something that is known to stain teeth, try to clean them after you finish eating. Try to brush your teeth, and if that isn’t possible, at the very least rinse your mouth with water. Try not to allow foods that stain to be left on your pearly whites for too long, because that will make stains worse.

Smoking can stain too: if you smoke, try to reduce or quit.

It’s possible that your medication is causing the stains. Find out if your medication is known for yellowing teeth.

Floss, brush and rinse your teeth regularly. Dentists recommend brushing for at least 2 minutes each time.

1 tablespoon of water

1 tablespoon food grade 3 % hydrogen peroxide

Mix the two ingredients together and swish it around in your mouth for 30 seconds to a minute.

When I first heard about hydrogen peroxide as a whitening product, I was skeptical, but it turns out hydrogen peroxide is the working ingredient in many teeth whitening kits that you can buy in the stores. After several uses, if you feel that it isn’t whitening your teeth enough, you can add less water to your mixture or skip the water altogether and simply rinse with just hydrogen peroxide.

You can use the suggested amount of 1 tablespoon each, but you can make more or less depending on your needs. The important thing is that it’s equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water. I suggest that you invest in a food grade hydrogen peroxide, which simply means that it’s safe for consumption. Since you will be putting the stuff in your mouth it’s a good idea to get a solution that is safe to be ingested. Even though you will be spitting it out, you still end up swallowing a little. Make sure your solution has no more than 3%, anymore and it can be dangerous to your health.

1 teaspoon of baking soda

1/2 teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide

Mix the two ingredients together to form a paste. Apply it onto your teeth and leave it on for a few minutes. You can use your fingers to apply it, or if you prefer a Q-tip. Don’t brush with it: just leave it on your teeth and allow the mixture to set in. When the time comes to remove the paste, add some water and rinse your mouth out. A lot of people use baking soda for whitening and brush their teeth with it. I don’t suggest brushing with it, but if you do, don’t brush with it everyday. I would limit brushing with baking soda to once a week.

There are some toothbrushes out there that are specifically designed to whiten your teeth as you brush. The Spinbrush Pro Whitening toothbrush with Arm and Hammer baking soda is one of these toothbrushes. It doesn’t bleach your teeth, it’s designed to remove stains while brushing. If you find your teeth are stained, from drinking coffee or eating specific foods, I would recommend investing in a toothbrush like this one. This type of toothbrush is also really great for removing plaque and it helps prevent gum disease. I have one and I find it really helps keep my teeth looking clean, and because the bristles rotate as you brush, it leaves your mouth feeling like you just got a cleaning at the dentist.