3 Alternative Teeth Whitening Methods to Try at Home

Our teeth naturally yellow with age, and many common foods like tea and coffee can leave stains. Likewise, smoking and poor dental hygiene can leave their marks. 

You can whiten your teeth with your dentist, using lasers, concentrated hydrogen peroxide gels, and veneers. These treatments are very effective, but are a bit pricey. What else can you do to restore your pearly whites?

While the internet is teeming with ways to avoid the dentist, some can harm your enamel. You can also over bleach with at-home whitening strips and cause sensitivity. But there are few tips that can whiten your teeth without as much risk.

Oil Pulling

Oil pulling is a Ayurvedic practice of swishing an organic oil, like coconut oil, in your mouth to clean teeth. This works because the bacteria cells that can cause bad breath and stains are held together with a fatty coating, which sticks to the oil. That way, when you spit the oil out, you spit bacteria and plaque out, too.

To oil pull, simply place about a teaspoon of oil in your mouth and swish for 15 minutes. Spit the oil into a trash can. Avoid swallowing the oil because it could upset your stomach, and never spit it into the toilet or sink if you don't want to call a plumber.

You can repeat this process daily for fresher breath and whiter teeth.

Activated Charcoal

Activated charcoal is another old-timey way to clean teeth. Activated charcoal works because it is abrasive and very absorbent—it can scratch stains off and absorb bacteria.

To use this method, simply dip a wet toothbrush in a bit of powdered activated charcoal and brush for two minutes. Spit and rinse carefully and enjoy the results. 

Only brush with activated charcoal, because other kinds of charcoal are toxic. Because this is an abrasive method, it's best for occasional use—every month or so—rather than daily use.

Baking Soda

Before there was commercial minty toothpaste, baking soda was used to clean and whiten teeth. Baking soda works because it's abrasive and scrubs the stains away.

Use baking soda like you would activated charcoal—dip a wet toothbrush in some and brush. After two minutes, spit and rinse. Like activated charcoal, you should only use this method occasionally. Brushing too frequently with baking soda can brush away your enamel over time.

Of course, if you're nervous or have questions about teeth whitening, your dentist or dental hygienist is your best resource.