Nothing destroys confidence like yellow teeth. Smiling allows us to be happy and enjoy life, but when we’re too embarrassed to smile it can ruin our day. Getting a nice, white smile is a must for both your social life and your health.
However doing so is easier said than done. Because of the foods we eat and the beverages we drink, our teeth accumulates stains over time. For example, drinks like coffee and black tea can darken teeth. If you enjoy these types of beverages then it’s going to be a bit harder to whiten your teeth. While it may be a good idea to drink these beverages through a straw or give them up altogether, there are still plenty of ways to fight stains.
As you may have already noticed there is a multi-billion dollar teeth-whitening industry out there. Whitening people’s teeth is definitely big business. In fact, there are so many products on the market it can leave consumers scratching their heads as to where to start. To make matters worse, a lot of these products may lead to detrimental health. Many products rely on harsh chemicals that can lead to sensitive teeth and other unwanted health effects.
On the other end of the spectrum are natural products. While natural teeth whitening is a great choice, a lot of the suggestions you will find online are really bad ideas. One such method is using baking soda. Baking soda will certainly whiten teeth, but at a steep cost. The rough texture of baking soda helps to strip stains off teeth, but it also takes enamel with it. Enamel is the outer protective layer of the tooth. Stripping it away will lead to long-term dental issues. The world of teeth whitening can be hard to navigate. Fortunately we have the answers.
What to Avoid in Whitening Products
Big pharmaceutical companies are more concerned about the bottom line then the health of consumers. This is why there are numerous substances with harmful health consequences found in oral hygiene products like toothpaste and mouthwash.
Here are a few common substances to avoid:
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS): SLS is common in cosmetic and grooming products. Not only is SLS bad for your health, but the only reason it’s in toothpaste is to foam it up, which means it only has an aesthetic purpose. Fortunately natural products do not contain this compound.
- Fluoride: This is a highly controversial substance. It’s found in many municipal water supplies, so it can be hard to avoid for the regular citizen. If you want to avoid overexposure, than you must avoid all mainstream oral hygiene products.
- Propylene Glycol: This is an industrial-grade mineral oil that is used in products like paints and antifreeze. It does not belong in your toothpaste!
- Microbeads: These are tiny plastic beads found in many cosmetic products. They are terrible for health and the environment. They are going to be banned in 2017 throughout the United States. Before they are totally phased out, make sure to avoid them.
You really have to be careful with these products. Some tooth whitening products will label themselves as ‘natural’ even though not all of their product uses natural ingredients. Make sure to look at all of the ingredients before you buy.
The Best Solutions
When it doubt, you should embrace natural ingredients for teeth whitening. Some of these are products you may already have at home, others you can find at a local store. Here are a few suggestions:
Oil Pulling
This has become a popular health trend in the US. It was a way to draw out toxins and purge them. However, many oil pullers notice that a welcomed side effect is whiter teeth! The way it works is by swishing around a natural oil like coconut oil in your mouth or 20 minutes or so. It works by removing plaque and getting rid of the bacteria that leads to cavities and gum disease. We recommend using Coconut Country Living’s coconut oil. Also, check out our article on oil pulling with sesame oil.
Turmeric
This is a spice that has powerful health boosting properties. People consume it regularly to better themselves, but it also works on whitening teeth. Buy the powder and mix it with something like coconut oil to make a paste.
Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal powder is a powerful way to draw out toxins from your body. The same goes for your teeth. Brushing with activated charcoal will no doubt whiten teeth, but just make sure that it isn’t too rough on your teeth. We recommend Rocky Mountain Essential’s activated charcoal.
Whitening Toothpaste
As you probably know, 99% of whitening toothpastes don’t work. They don’t whiten your teeth and if they do, then it’s barely a noticeable difference. The one exception that we’ve found is Uncle Harry’s natural toothpaste. This stuff is the real deal. It’s a powerful alkalizing toothpaste that will give you real results in as little as two weeks.
Designing Your Routine
Good oral hygiene is drilled into many young kids. We all know to brush and floss, and these are still good habits to follow. Yet, we have to abandon the traditional products that have been pushed on us since we were young.
To start, all adults should be using a high-quality electric toothbrush like the Philips Sonicare. This electric toothbrush does much more than a regular toothbrush. It removes plaque and food from hard to reach places and will help strip plaque off of your teeth, thus preventing color change. Use this twice a day with natural whitening toothpaste such as Uncle Harry’s.
Floss is also another crucial part of an oral hygiene routine. Many people know that they should floss, but yet many fail to do it. It’s a habit that people must implement. You need the right floss though. Avoid commercial floss because it’s full of artificial sweeteners.
Mouthwash is also another popular oral hygiene product. The problem with traditional mouthwashes are that they are filled with alcohols, artificial flavorings and other harmful chemicals. There are a couple of good brands that we recommend, and you can view them here.
Lifestyle Habits
Even for people who brush and floss regularly, they may still end up with yellow or dark stained teeth. The reason for this is because of poor lifestyle habits. This mainly refers to diet and drinks like coffee. But aside from stains, the foods you eat can cause increased bacteria growth. This will lead to plaque and tartar, causing damage to teeth. This means you have to get your diet in order.
The single biggest culprit of cavities and tooth decay is eating foods high in sugar. You must avoid eating sugary foods and those high in carbohydrates because bacteria grows when sugar is present. Eat vegetables instead!
Eating vegetables is not only good for your health, but it will also help to keep your teeth healthy. When you eat crunchy vegetables you’re eating lots of fiber which increases saliva production. The saliva present in your mouth will help to further break down foods, thus preventing buildup on your teeth. Also, drink a lot of water. This will wash away any excess sugar and it helps saliva break down food.
Conclusion
Getting whiter teeth is not an overnight process. It will take at least a couple weeks of work with the natural methods outlined above. A combination of all these practices will help you reach your goal of whiter teeth in a faster, more efficient, and safer manner.