How to Do Homemade Teeth Whitening

White Smile

Trying to achieve a pearly white smile like those of celebrities can be very costly. In drug stores there are strips, gels, special toothpastes and whitening rinses. Also, new products are coming on the market rapidly. Have you seen the prices on some of those products? Seeing a dentist for whitening can be even more costly. Whitening is a cosmetic procedure, and most dental insurance doesn't cover it. You can save yourself time and money by whitening your teeth at home with products you may already have.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Toothpaste (the kind you already use is fine)
• Baking soda
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Table salt
• Floss
• Antiseptic mouthwash

1. Citrus fruits eat away enamel

   Cut back on your intake of foods and drinks containing citric acid. Citric acid, like other acids, eats away at your tooth enamel over time. The damage to your enamel is not reversible, and the loss of the enamel makes your teeth more prone to cavities and, yes, stains.

2. Coffee, tea, cigarettes and soda are all stains waiting to happen. Consider taking all these items out of your diet or routine. If you have trouble letting go of any of these, make sure that you brush your teeth promptly after smoking or drinking tea, coffee and soda. By preventing these potential new stains, you can clearly see your progress when whitening the stains you already have.

3. Make a mixture of 1 tbsp. baking soda, three or four drops of hydrogen peroxide, and 1/2 tsp. table salt. This is a classic homemade toothpaste that has worked for many people. Hydrogen peroxide and baking soda both have whitening properties, and salt will help to lift the stains. You can also add some of your store-bought toothpaste for flavor.

4. 

   Brush with your homemade toothpaste two to three times per day using an ordinary toothbrush. Brush in a gentle up and down motion for at least three minutes each time. Floss your teeth, and rinse well with antiseptic mouthwash so that grains of salt don't sit between teeth and cause cavities or enamel loss.

5. Toothbrush

Tips & Warnings

• Before you start whitening your teeth, take a "before" photo. Whitening your teeth is a gradual process, one that you may not notice happening. Keeping your before photo will allow you to see your progress, and encourage you to keep up with your routine. Take weekly photos to document your progress on a regular basis.

• Do not scrub or brush hard to remove stains; you will only make the problem worse by wearing away your enamel.

References

• Beauty Tips Online
• Kids Health