WHITENING YOUR TEETH
What works what doesn't
You're worried that your teeth aren't white enough
- You don't want to invest the time or money for in-office treatments
- You're not a fan of drugstore gels or strips either
- Some natural, at home remedies are safe & can whiten your teeth but some do not
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BRUSHING & FLOSSING
- Good oral hygiene is a tried & true method for keeping your smile looking its best
- Toothpastes gently buff out stains from the surface of your teeth
- Whitening toothpastes work the same way with more ingredients but; they don't bleach
your teeth - Flossing gets rid of food & bacteria that could harden into plaque, which would make your
teeth look dull & darker
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OIL PULLING
- This technique is popular in Ayurvedic medicine
- You swish a tablespoon of oil (such as sesame, coconut, or olive oil) around in your mouth
for up to 20 minutes to 'pull out' bacteria - A recent study found that using coconut oil could prevent tooth decay but there's no science
to support it leaving your teeth whiter
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BAKING SODA
- Besides helping batter rise, baking soda is also a mild abrasive that scrubs away stains
- You could try using a do-it-yourself paste of baking soda, but you'll probably get better
results by switching to a toothpaste with sodium bicarbonate - Studies show brushing with products that have baking soda will work on surface stains
over time
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APPLES & PINEAPPLES
- Malic acid in apples boosts saliva to wash away acids
- Toothpastes with bromelain, a compound in pineapple, help whiten teeth
- But there's no evidence that eating these fruits will make your teeth shine
Beware that strawberries
can break down enamel, the outer shell of your tooth
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HYDROGEN PEROXIDE
- It's the bleaching agent found in most home whitening kits
- It actually changes a tooth's color
- 1 study found that painting an over-the-counter gel with 6% hydrogen peroxide on teeth
made a noticeable difference after 2 weeks - The inexpensive bottles of liquid you can buy in a drugstore usually have a lower percentage
The American Dental Association says swishing
will probably irritate your gums before it whitens your teeth
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APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
- Supposedly, gargling apple cider vinegar should help kill bacteria,remove stains & whiten
your teeth
No studies confirm these claims
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TUMERIC
- The warm bitter spice that's known for flavoring curry is also a natural dye that
can turn
white fabric a bright gold - Some say that tumeric paste can turn dingy
teeth back to pearly white
However, there's no solid research to back this up
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WATCH WHAT YOU EAT
- Foods including dark berries & drinks such as coffee, red wine & soda are known offenders,
but you don't have to give them up - Enjoy these in moderation & rinse with water right afterward so there's less chance they'll
affect your teeth - Wait 30 minutes before brushing to protect the enamel
Smoking & chewing tobacco
can also cause stains, which is another reason to quit
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