DIY Recipes For A Whiter, Brighter Smile

I’m a coffee addict! I’m talking about your ‘likely not to give a sip’ until I’ve had my cup of Joe kind of girl. Of course, along with finding delight in my daily dose of jolt comes the frustration from coffee build up on my pearly whites! Sure, I could cut back, or eliminate my caffeine fix altogether, but where’s the fun in that?

So, in an effort to regain confidence in my Colgate smile, I dug up 3 safe and savvy natural ways to whiten and brighten my teeth. Get the breakdown below.

Baking Soda and Lemon Juice

I discovered this little gem when I realized I wasn’t willing (or able) to fork over $50 plus on professional grade whitening strips.

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• Combine a small amount of lemon juice and several teaspoons baking soda.
• Mix, until it creates a thick paste.
• Brush your teeth as usual, instead, using the paste – ensuring you reach both your front and back chompers.
• Repeat this process several days a week, until you reach your optimal shade.

How it works: Baking soda, aka sodium bicarbonate, is mildly abrasive and gently scrubs away surface stains for a whiter, brighter smile.

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)

According to Reader’s Digest, ACV has surprising natural whitening properties. Though the results aren’t instant, using apple cider vinegar over a period of weeks can remove stubborn stains on the teeth, especially from coffee and nicotine.

To make your teeth whitening paste:

• Combine two parts apple cider vinegar to one-part baking soda.
• Use this solution a few times a week along with your daily oral care.
• Be consistent. It could take several weeks to experience desired results.

Please note: Due to the paste’s high acidic nature, it may remove the enamel on your teeth as well. Hence the importance of brushing again with a non-fluoride paste following the treatment.

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Lemon or Orange Peels

Though this treatment is next on my list, according to a 2010 study published by the American Journal of Dentistry researchers found that toothpaste containing d-limonene was helpful in lessening stains on teeth as well as preventing the development of further build up.

Believe it or not, citrus rinds, including oranges, contain d-limonene. Coincidently, cosmetic manufacturers include d-limonene in a number of products, including toothpastes and tooth whiteners. So, it’s possible orange and lemon peels (high acidity) would be an effective way to whiten your teeth.

• Simply rub the white side of the peels gently all over the teeth. To intensify the whitening effects, use with a small amount of salt, which acts as a scrub.