8 Expert-Approved Remedies for Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is an easy way to brighten up your smile. Unfortunately, the more common teeth whitening methods usually don’t provide the best results, and can even be damaging to your teeth in the long term. Luckily, there are plenty of natural home remedies that have proven to work just as well as their chemical counterparts and often provide additional benefits to boot! Here are 10 expert-approved home remedies for yellow teeth whitening so you can get rid of those yellow stains once and for all!

1) Lemon

Lemon is a powerful bleaching agent and is great for teeth whitening. Juice one or two lemons and rub them on your teeth using a soft toothbrush. Leave it on your teeth for 5 to 10 minutes before rinsing off with water.

2) Strawberries

Strawberries are a delicious fruit, and they’re also packed with certain nutrients that help to whiten teeth. Mash up some strawberries and apply them to your teeth. Leave them on for about 15 minutes before rinsing off with water.

3) Baking Soda

If you’re looking to save some money by whitening your teeth at home, baking soda is a great choice. Simply mix a half teaspoon of baking soda with 2 teaspoons of water and use it to brush your teeth twice daily. Alternatively, mix two tablespoons of baking soda into one quart of warm water, which can be used as an effective mouthwash.

4) Apple Cider Vinegar

If you’re interested in at-home teeth whitening and don’t want to spend a lot of money, try using apple cider vinegar. It sounds strange, but it really works! Mix 1 part vinegar with 2 parts water and rinse your mouth with it after brushing. Be sure to do some research on proper dilution ratios before you start!

5) Turmeric

There’s a lot of buzz around turmeric as an oral health aid. Turmeric contains curcumin, which has been shown to kill bacteria responsible for causing gingivitis and periodontal disease. It can also whiten teeth due to its ability to neutralize free radicals that can cause oxidative damage. Mix 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder with water until it forms a thick paste, and then rub it on your teeth with your finger or a soft toothbrush.

6) Banana

Rubbing a slice of banana on your teeth can whiten them by removing surface stains, according to Dr. Arefa Cassoobhoy, a cosmetic dentist in New York City. Banana is high in potassium and helps neutralize acids, including those from coffee and red wine that stain teeth over time. Slice open a banana and rub it on your teeth with a toothbrush or scrubber before brushing your teeth with baking soda or toothpaste.

7) Onions

The sulfur in onions bleaches your teeth as well as other fruits and vegetables. To whiten teeth naturally at home, cut a slice of onion and rub it against your teeth, just like you would with salt. Leave it on for 5 minutes then rinse. Repeat a few times daily to get whiter teeth fast!

8) Black Coffee

A cup of coffee in the morning—or any time of day, really—can act as a natural teeth whitener when combined with some common household ingredients. Brew a strong pot of black coffee and let it cool to room temperature. Once you’ve done that, stir in one part baking soda to three parts coffee grounds. Dip your toothbrush into this concoction and scrub your teeth for about one minute.