Best Ways To Naturally Whiten Your Teeth At Home

Key points

There are a lot of home remedies claimed to help with teeth whitening. But many of them do more harm than good. Unproven home teeth whitening methods can damage your enamel or irritate the gums, resulting in increased sensitivity and putting you at risk of developing cavities.
The easiest way to avoid yellow teeth is to maintain adequate and regular oral hygiene.
Using whitening strips is the best way to whiten your teeth at home safely and quickly. All you need to do is to apply the strips to your teeth until they dissolve. With whitening strips, you don’t risk damaging the enamel or making your gums too sensitive. For example, Icy Bear whitening strips are easy to use and deliver excellent results quickly, leaving you with a pearly white smile. They also use innovative PAP technology to prevent sensitivity.
Other popular home remedies for yellow teeth include baking soda and hydrogen peroxide mixture, apple cider vinegar, activated charcoal, and oil pulling. However, there’s not enough research to prove that these methods can whiten teeth safely and provide results.

While the colour of the teeth can change from person to person, most of us naturally have almost white teeth with a slight hint of yellow. But the colour of your smile can change with age because the outer enamel tends to wear off with time. This makes the yellow layer of dentin located underneath the enamel more visible. Your teeth can also change their colour and acquire a yellow hue if you drink a lot of tea and coffee, smoke, etc. Sometimes, the changes in tooth colour are irreversible, but most of the time, you can take steps to alleviate this issue.

Fortunately, you don’t necessarily need to go to a dentist to get your teeth whitened. There are a lot of alternative methods you can try to whiten your teeth at home, but it’s crucial to ensure that the method you pick is safe and effective.

Should I Whiten My Teeth At Home?

There are a lot of home remedies for teeth whitening described online, but the main question is, are they safe? Well, while most of these methods may work and deliver some results, you have to be aware of their side effects and be very careful when using them. Unfortunately, many popular home whitening remedies such as baking soda and vinegar can cause damage to your enamel, which will increase teeth sensitivity and heighten your risk of developing cavities. It’s also common to experience gum irritation afterwards. In addition to potential adverse effects from these methods, there’s no scientific proof of their effectiveness.

But you don’t need to despair! Home teeth whitening strips provide a safe, effective, and affordable way to whiten your smile at home. You can also use whitening toothpaste to gradually lighten the colour of your teeth. We suggest trying Icy Bear strips, as they are proven to lighten the colour of the teeth by up to 7 shades after a single course of treatment.

All in all, you can most likely achieve good results when whitening your smile at home as long as you use safe products that were developed, tested, and approved by professionals rather than going for stuff in your pantry or fridge. You should also keep in mind that the effects of at-home teeth whitening are usually temporary, so you will need to repeat the procedure from time to time to maintain results.

What Causes Yellow Teeth?

Home whitening methods may or may not work depending on the cause of yellow staining on your teeth. DIY teeth whitening methods primarily help with extrinsic stains, meaning the change of colour that occurs on the outer layer of the teeth. These stains usually come from diet habits or smoking. Some of the most common products to cause extrinsic stains are coffee, tea, and red wine.

The other type of staining is intrinsic. These stains usually occur with age. As we age, the outer layer of our teeth (enamel) becomes thinner than the layer located underneath (dentin), which makes our teeth look more yellow. However, some childhood genetic disorders or medications can also cause this type of teeth staining.

Other common reasons for yellow teeth are:

overconsumption of high-sugar foods and simple carbohydrates
smoking
mouth trauma
excessive fluoride consumption
poor oral hygiene
chronic dry mouth or lack of saliva

Popular Home Remedies For Yellow Teeth Reviewed

Most people who are unhappy with the colour of their teeth decide to try home whitening methods first. Below, you can find information about the most popular methods people use to whiten their smiles at home and discover which of them are effective and which are a waste of time.

Brush Your Teeth

Before trying any whitening methods, ask yourself how often and how thoroughly you brush your teeth. As you probably know, the main rule is to brush your teeth twice a day for 2 minutes. But many people fall short of this.

You should brush using circular motions so that you don’t put as much pressure on the gums. It’s also a good idea to brush your teeth after eating foods that can stain them. But if you just consumed an acidic meal or drink, don’t rush to brush your teeth right away because it can damage the enamel and lead to cavities. It’s best to wait 30-60 minutes to allow your teeth to remineralise.

It’s important to mention that electric and sonic toothbrushes are significantly more effective at keeping the teeth white and clean than manual ones. Don’t forget about flossing, too, since toothbrushes can’t reach the entire surface of the teeth.

Now that we’ve covered the proper brushing technique, let’s look at the best DIY teeth whitening methods.

Icy Bear Teeth Whitening Strips

Whitening strips are by far the safest and most effective method for whitening teeth at home. They won’t irritate your gums or make your teeth more sensitive and will only deliver the desired results. Most commercially available strips contain carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide. Both of them work by destroying the bonds of colour-causing molecules. While these agents deliver visible results and are generally considered safe, they can be harsh on the teeth. For instance, studies have shown that strips containing hydrogen peroxide can cause irreversible damage to the enamel.

This is where Icy Bear whitening strips come in. Unlike most other strips, our product uses innovative PAP (Phthalimido-Peroxy-Caproic acid) technology to gently whiten teeth without causing any damage to the gums or enamel. Studies have also shown that Icy Bear whitening strips can make the teeth whiter by up to seven shades in a short period of time. They are gentle on the gums and teeth and can be used daily. This product is also more convenient than whitening gels and other methods. All you need to do is apply the strips to your teeth for 10-15 minutes until they dissolve.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is a natural bleaching agent. It is also a popular product for whitening teeth at home. It bleaches the teeth by destroying colour-causing molecules.

As mentioned above, this chemical is generally safe to use if it’s included in mouthwash or toothpaste, so it’s best to choose hydrogen peroxide products formulated specifically for dental use. This is because if you use pure hydrogen peroxide on your teeth, you may experience gum irritation. It’s also not safe to use pure hydrogen peroxide in your mouth alone at home.

The outcome of using this chemical to whiten your teeth will depend on how long it stays in contact with the teeth. All things considered, professional products like strips or gels are much more effective and safe than this chemical.

Baking Soda

Baking soda is also a very common product that people use to make their teeth whiter. It’s claimed to get rid of plaque buildup and bacteria which cause teeth stains. When compared to other ingredients, baking soda is more gentle on the teeth. This remedy is most often used in combination with hydrogen peroxide. One study has found that paste made with baking soda and peroxide helps to remove tooth stains and make the teeth whiter. However, the results were visible only after 6 weeks of regular use. Thus, this method is less effective than commercial products.

Apple Сider Vinegar

Some people use small amounts of apple cider vinegar to lighten the colour of their teeth. This is done by mixing apple cider vinegar with water, swishing the mixture in the mouth for 30 seconds, rinsing it out with water, and brushing your teeth afterwards.

However, we should mention that there’s no research proving the effectiveness of this method in humans. You should also remember that apple cider vinegar is very acidic, and it may damage the surface of the teeth. Therefore, you should exercise extreme caution if you choose to use this method, or better yet, opt for safer commercial products.

Coconut Oil Pulling

Coconut oil is another unproven remedy that some say helps to get rid of plaque and bacteria and whiten the teeth as a result. Those who are up for trying this method claim that it is best to use high-quality, organic oil with no added ingredients, applying it to the teeth and keeping it in place for 10 to 30 minutes. This method can prove challenging as it is best not to swallow the oil or let it go to your throat. It is important to keep in mind that this method may not deliver impressive results because there’s no research backing it up. It can also be quite unpleasant since you need to keep coconut oil in your mouth for a long time.

Lemon or Banana Peels

Some people claim that you can whiten your smile by rubbing your teeth with the inside of a lemon, orange, or banana peel for 2 minutes. It’s said that these peels contain d-limonene and citric acid, which promote teeth whiteness. However, as with other home remedies, there’s not enough research to prove that rubbing fruit peel on your teeth is an effective way to whiten them.

Keep in mind that both lemons and oranges are acidic, and you risk damaging your enamel and increasing teeth sensitivity if you use this method. You should also remember to brush your teeth right after trying this method.

You can also try a toothpaste that contains d-limonene, as studies have found that it may help to alleviate stains from smoking. However, it doesn’t remove tea or coffee stains.

Activated Charcoal

You may have come across whitening toothpaste that contains activated charcoal. Activated charcoal is another product used to whiten teeth at home. This remedy is supposed to remove pigmentation and stains from teeth.

While it is highly absorbent and helps to get rid of bacteria and toxins in the mouth, it is important to mention that researchers have found that activated charcoal is extremely abrasive and can damage tooth structure, making your teeth look even more yellow.

If you still choose to try this method, apply powder from a charcoal capsule to your toothbrush and brush your teeth with it for 2 minutes. Take care to brush very gently because charcoal can easily irritate the gums. Some people just dab the powder onto the teeth and leave it for a couple of minutes instead of brushing. Others mix activated charcoal with water to create a mouthwash.

How To Prevent Teeth Stains

Prevention is the key to almost any dental issue, including yellow teeth. Thus, if you follow healthy oral hygiene recommendations and don’t overconsume pigment-rich foods, you may be able to avoid this unpleasant problem. Even if you’re already dealing with yellow teeth, following recommendations for teeth staining prevention will only improve your results.

Here are some tips on how you can keep your teeth white:

Thoroughly brush and floss your teeth twice a day
Quit smoking
Try to limit coffee, tea, and red wine consumption
Go in for regular check-ups at your dentist’s office to remove plaque buildup

FAQ

Can my teeth be yellow even if I don’t drink tea or coffee?

Yes, over time, staining from all food and drink consumption can have a lasting effect on the teeth. This mostly happens due to plaque buildup, which is why it’s important to go in for regular dentist visits. Ageing can also cause long-term colour changes.

Can yellow teeth become white again?

In many cases, teeth stains can be easily removed with whitening treatments. Icy Bear whitening strips are a safe and effective option for restoring your teeth to their dazzling white shade once again. These whitening strips can lighten your smile by up to seven shades, so you don’t have to book expensive professional whitening appointments.

How do you get rid of yellow teeth fast?

There are a lot of traditional methods that many people use to whiten their teeth at home. Some individuals use a mix of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide, and others prefer activated charcoal. However, all of these remedies can damage your enamel and leave your gums irritated. A better alternative is to use whitening strips. These are formulated to be safe for daily use and deliver visible results after the first application.

What’s best to whiten your teeth?

The best way to whiten your teeth without spending tons of money on professional bleaching is to use whitening strips. Whitening strips use bleaching agents like carbamide, hydrogen peroxide, or PAP (phthalimido-peroxy-caproic acid), which dentists also use for professional bleaching. These products help to remove stains from deeper layers where toothpaste can’t penetrate. Whitening strips and gels are safe to use at home as long as you follow all directions.