How to have shining white teeth!

Naturally, our teeth were created/developed white – with an inner pulp chamber, beneath a protective dentin layer, beneath a hard outer enamel surface used for chewing. Over time due to everyday habits, medications/medical conditions, and just plan old aging our teeth’s natural white gives way to stains.

Who does'nt wants to have shiny white teeth that glow? Follow some of these steps to teeth-whitening.


Strawberries: You can use strawberries directly or create a paste combining crushed strawberries and baking soda. The malic acid in the strawberries acts as an astringent. There is some debate as to how long is safe to leave this mixture on your teeth. If you brush your teeth before 20 minutes, some warn that you could also be brushing your enamel away. Others warn that leaving it on too long could lead to tooth decay because of the sugar and acid in the strawberries working together.




Orange peel and Lemon Juice: These also works quite well according to those who have used it. Orange oil and lemon juice are well known for their cleaning properties. Some also recommend grinding up bay leaves and the orange peel to form a paste that you can brush onto your teeth. Be aware, though, that the citric acid in the orange peel can also strip your teeth of calcium weakening enamel. If you do decide to use this method, this should not be used as a regular whitening treatment.


Hydrogen Peroxide: This is a common ingredient in most whitening toothpastes and rinses (usually combined with carbamide peroxide). While hydrogen peroxide is readily available and easy-to-use, you really need to be sure of what you’re doing. Doing this on your own – not under the supervision of a dentist – means that you will be using a smaller concentration of peroxide than you would get with a dental-prescribed treatment, but there are still risks if you end up using too much at a time or too frequently. (You can see more information by visiting my article on hydrogen peroxide:.)


Apples, carrots, cider vinegar, ash wood, and baking soda on its own have also been shown to have whitening properties. I know my mom always told me to use an apple to brush my teeth if there wasn't a toothbrush around.


As with all things, it is wise not to just jump into a treatment without learning all you can about it first - including how to apply the treatment, the concentrations involved, how long you can expect to continue the treatment until you see results.


The internet is a great resource, but don’t be afraid to talk to your dentist, either, and report any issues that arise once you start whitening.