Ways to Whiten Teeth Naturally  

There are several things that can cause teeth to turn yellow , ranging from excessive consumption of tea or coffee, frequent smoking, improper brushing habits, to the thinning of tooth enamel with age.
 
Yellowing of teeth can indeed interfere with appearance and reduce self-confidence. But don't worry, because there are several ways to whiten teeth naturally that you can easily try to do yourself at home, including:

1. Maintain dental and oral hygiene

The main step you can take to whiten your teeth naturally is to maintain good oral and dental hygiene . Brushing your teeth regularly , at least twice a day, can help prevent and reduce the buildup of stains that cause teeth to look yellow.

After brushing your teeth, you are also advised to clean the remaining food left between your teeth using dental floss . If necessary, use a mouthwash for maximum results.

2. Brush your teeth with baking soda

Brushing your teeth with a paste made from baking soda has long been believed to be efficacious for naturally whitening teeth. Therefore, not a few toothpaste products use baking soda as one of the main ingredients.

In addition to buying toothpaste products that contain baking soda , you can also make your own at home, by mixing one teaspoon of baking soda with two teaspoons of water.

3. Consuming fruit with malic acid content

Malic acid is a natural substance in fruit that is claimed to be able to whiten and reduce stains on teeth. To get the benefits of this malic acid, you can eat several types of fruit, such as strawberries , watermelon, and apples.

In addition to consuming fruits that contain malic acid, you can try pineapple , oranges, and papaya which are also claimed to be effective in whitening teeth naturally.

4. Gargle with vegetable oil ( oil pulling )

Gargling with vegetable oils , such as coconut oil, can also be your choice to whiten teeth naturally. The reason is, coconut oil contains lauric acid which can reduce inflammation in the mouth and kill bacteria that cause plaque buildup and tooth decay. If you are interested in trying it, you can gargle or do oil pulling with 1 tablespoon of coconut oil for 15-20 minutes every day. However, you still need to be careful not to ingest the coconut oil.

When you're done gargling, throw the coconut oil in the trash and clean your mouth with a toothbrush as usual..

5. Quit smoking

Tobacco in cigarettes is one of the causes of stains on teeth that are difficult to clean. In the long term, smoking can cause health problems in the mouth, such as gingivitis and even oral cancer.

Not only whitening teeth naturally, quitting smoking can also help your body become healthier and avoid the risk of other diseases caused by smoking, such as heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer.

In addition to the several ways above, you are also advised to reduce the consumption of drinks that can change the color of your teeth, such as tea, coffee , and soda. If possible, use a straw to drink it or brush your teeth immediately after consuming the drink to prevent stains from sticking to your teeth.

However, if the natural teeth whitening method above is deemed ineffective or does not show satisfactory results, you can consult further with your dentist to get the right treatment according to your condition and needs.