How to Bleach Your Teeth

Whitening or bleaching your teeth can create a more appealing and youthful smile. When done correctly, whitening is a safe and effective process that does not harm your teeth and it may even increase your self-confidence. If you want to brighten your smile, there are several options you can try.

Exploring Whitening Options

Bleach your teeth with baking soda. If this stuff can be found in toothpaste, it’s got to work. Turns out there are free radicals in baking soda that can penetrate through your enamel, turning stains clear. Just dip your toothbrush in the stuff and scrub away for a couple of minutes, just like you’re brushing your teeth.[1]

• There has been some uproar about just how safe this is, for the record. While it is effective, some say that it damages the enamel of your teeth, weakening it or destroying it entirely, especially if you use the back and forth brushing method using a toothbrush with hard bristles. To be safe, you may not want to rely on this option in the long-term. Using this option two times a week is more than enough.[2]

Bleach your teeth with strawberries. This delicious fruit contains malic acid, an agent that can tear through stains. Crush up a berry in your baking soda paste, spread it on your teeth, and leave for five minutes. Brush it off and you’re good to go! You can sometimes see a brighter tooth surface right away.
• Citric acid in strawberries can wear away your enamel.[3]

• If you’re in a hard spot, just rub the fruit on your teeth (cut up to get at the juices, of course) and wash off with a glass of water.
Experiment with coconut oil or apple cider vinegar. Though it’s up for debate, some swear that these two are natural teeth-whiteners, too. Just use them as a mouthwash or rub them onto your teeth and let sit for 10 minutes or so. Brush your teeth afterward, rinse out, and voila![4]

• Vinegar contains acid which can wear away your enamel.
• However, these methods shouldn’t solely be relied on. It may take a month or two before you notice any results.
Buy a teeth-whitening kit. As if it could get any easier, right? Your local big box store or pharmacy probably carries a few options when it comes to teeth-whitening kits. Some are rather expensive and some aren’t — but all will warrant results (it’s just a matter of time). If you can spring for it, do so.[5]

Get a kit from your dentist. He has access to super powerful gels and trays that you won’t find at your local pharmacy. And if he doesn’t, for some reason, have any available, he probably knows someone who does. It doesn’t hurt to ask![7]

• Trays and gels are super powerful, but the main drawback is that it may not fit your mouth. If your jaw is a little, say, unique, you may find these difficult to work with.
• Your dentist can provide custom trays for you that will fit snugly over your teeth and provide a better result.

Get your teeth professionally bleached. Several excellent technologies have emerged for bleaching and whitening the teeth. Although some of these procedures must be performed in the dentist’s office, a few can be done at home. Ask your dentist what he or she recommends. The latest procedure is laser whitening.[8]

Taking Daily Precautions

Stick to your brushing and flossing regimen. The best way to prevent dental problems and staining is still brushing and flossing, hands down.[9] Be sure to brush before bed and when you get up, but after meals is essential, too.[10] Food left on your teeth can lead to stains — when it immediately is brushed off, stains can’t form.
Don’t forget about whitening gum and mouthwash. Though brushing and flossing are more imperative than using mouthwash and gum, the more precaution you take against stains, the whiter your teeth will be (and stay). In between hygiene sessions, just pop in a piece of whitening gum or take a quick swish of whitening mouthwash.[11] It’s good for your health, too!
Avoid all forms of tobacco. That includes cigarettes, pipes, cigars, chewing tobacco, and snuff. All of them are bad for you and your teeth.
Cut down on your intake of coffee and tea. If you can’t start your morning without a cup, try drinking it through a straw, so it doesn’t stain your teeth. It’s better to cut these out entirely, so if you can muster it, do so.[13]