Natural teeth whiteners

A glistening smile always grabs attention, but with so many products that allegedly ruin enamel, irritate the gums, or simply don't work, it's time to find natural remedies that promise healthier and whiter teeth.

SEA SALT

The table fixture doesn't only spice up your food, but it could transform your yellow-stained teeth to pearly whites. 

Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt onto your toothpaste and brush. Sea salt helps remove plaque from the surface, but be careful about the amount of salt. You don't want too much to overpower your toothpaste.

Some use baking soda with the sea salt, but baking soda alone may be too abrasive and deteriorate enamel over time, so if you plan to try this, use it sparingly. Mixing baking soda with other ingredients is fine and will help whiten teeth.

OLIVE OIL

This oil is probably the most versatile in the world of beauty, and one of its properties is it can help lift unwanted plaque from your teeth. 

Instead of pouring olive oil onto your toothbrush, get a washcloth, hand towel, or sturdy napkin/tissue and place a dab on it, then rub the oil across your teeth before brushing. 

Afterwards, brush teeth and gurgle mouthwash to get the oily taste from your mouth. 

Tom's of Maine, available in drugstores 

MAKE OWN TOOTHPASTE

• 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon of peppermint oil
• 1/4 teaspoon of glycerin 

These dosage amounts will make one or two servings of toothpaste just so you can try it first. If you want to make more, multiply the amounts. The toothpaste would only need to be at room temperature. 

MAKE OWN MOUTHWASH

• 2 cups of water
• 4 teaspoons of glycerin
• 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon of peppermint oil

Shake well in a small mouthwash bottle or container. The mouthwash will help whiten teeth and kill germs in your mouth.

Some natural remedies such as lemon juice, peroxide, and wood ash are advertised as great natural teeth whiteners, but they can harm your enamel and pollute your mouth.

Fluoride toothpaste works the best in strengthening teeth enamel, but some natural toothpaste companies take it away for those who do not want the chemical compound in their products.

A badge from American Dental Association is also a stamp of approval for selecting an effective whitening toothpaste.