How To Naturally Keep Your Teeth White Between Professional Bleaching Sessions
Whether you love coffee or wine, enjoy eating berries often, or have to take medication on a regular basis, the stains that result are easy to overcome with the help of professional bleaching sessions. But between dental visits, you'll want to keep those stains from aggressively rebuilding. Here are a few natural ways to keep your teeth white between your professional treatments:
Make Your Own Mouthwash
Leave those store-bought mouthwash concoctions on the shelf, and save yourself some money by making your own concoction at home that works to freshen up your breath and whiten your teeth. With the help of hydrogen peroxide, this bright lemony mouthwash is sure to be a treat for your taste buds. Here's what you need to make a batch:
- 1 cup water
- 4 tbsp hydrogen peroxide
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp fresh orange juice or ½ tsp stevia (optional – for sweetness)
Simply put all of the ingredients in a reusable container that has a lid, seal the container, and shake vigorously for a few seconds. When you're ready to use it, take a sip of the mouthwash and swish as you would with a commercial option. Spit and brush as usual.
Upgrade Your Toothpaste
Add some extra whitening power to your toothpaste by mixing a little baking soda into it before you brush. The baking soda gently scrubs away stains and slows down the staining process. Just put a squirt of toothpaste into a small bowl and add half a teaspoon of baking soda. Stir the paste with a spoon, then wet your toothbrush and dip it into the paste before brushing like you normally do. If you prefer to make your own toothpaste from scratch, just mix the baking soda with a little lemon or orange juice and stir for a few seconds until well combined and creamy.
Enjoy a Cider Drink Often
Because apple cider vinegar is an astringent, it works to lighten tooth stains and kill bacteria in the mouth. You can gargle with apple cider vinegar, or rub it directly on your teeth once in awhile as a brightening agent. But a tastier way to make apple cider vinegar work for you is to enjoy it in a fresh drink a few times a week. Refresh yourself with a cold glass of ice water mixed with a tablespoon each of lemon juice and apple cider vinegar, or blend a few tablespoons of the vinegar with a couple of bananas and some ice for a frothy afternoon treat.
Chew on the Right Snacks
Believe it or not, you can keep your teeth white between professional bleaching sessions by doing nothing more than chewing the right snacks throughout the day. Common produce is the name of the game when you want to brighten your smile. Here are a few effective options to consider:
- Strawberries – The astringents whiten and Vitamin C clears plaque away. Throw berries in a smoothie, juice them, or eat them as-is.
- Apples – these crunchy fruits act like a toothbrush by scrubbing away plaque and removing stains as you eat them.
- Raisins – When raisins are chewed, saliva creation is induced, which works like mouthwash and naturally rinses away plaque.
Keep these nutritious snacks on hand by storing separate servings in sealable plastic bags for easy storage. Keep raisins in the glove box of your vehicle, store fresh apples on your desk at work, and put a batch of berries in your fridge for instant snacking when the mood strikes.
These tips and tricks are easy to incorporate, and will keep your mouth feeling fresh, clean, and sparkling when they are used on a regular basis.
For more information and tips, contact an experienced dentist like David Jackson, DDS.