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Today’s chemistry secrets are some awesome cheap and easy ways to whiten your teeth at home!
This post has been requested by readers for awhile now. I get emails from people asking how I keep my teeth white, natural ways to whiten teeth, homemade teeth whitening tips, and more.
So, I want to share all these tips with you based on chemistry of course 😉
I have used all of these methods below. They are safe and they work! Be very cautious about the things you read online about whitening your teeth, some are dangerous!
Cheap & Easy Ways To Whiten Your Teeth At Home
Smash up the strawberries!
Yep, strawberries! Strawberries contain a compound called malic acid which is a great way to remove surface stains. I read this tip YEARS ago in a magazine. I was in junior high (a long time ago 🙂 ), and this magazine mentioned using strawberries to whiten teeth. I thought it sounded really weird at the time. I investigated it a few years back and tested it. It really does brighten your smile.
To use it, just smash up one strawberry and sprinkle in some baking soda with it (this creates a nice scrub). Rub it around on your teeth and allow to sit for five minutes. Rinse when you are done. It can leave some seeds, so be sure to floss too.
Hydrogen peroxide and baking soda
An old favorite of any chemist is using peroxide and baking soda for a variety of things. It also is one of the most tried and true homemade whitening tips out there. And it has been around forever. This reason it works is the peroxide is an oxidizer which breaks up stains. The baking soda is a great scrub which cleans well on it’s own. Together they create an amazing whitening solution. Hydrogen peroxide is also a great antimicrobial, so it cleans your mouth well!
Oil pulling
I mentioned this a few weeks ago in this post all about using coconut oil topically. Coconut oil has so many amazing benefits, but it can also clean your teeth. By cleaning your teeth, it also removes surface stains. It takes a few weeks to see benefits, but it is a great option.
I have also tried rubbing coconut oil on my teeth and gums. This is another option if you can’t handle swishing coconut oil in your mouth!
Bentonite clay
I love bentonite clay for skin care, but did you know it can also whiten teeth? I discovered that many natural teeth whitening products contain bentonite clay, and I investigated it further. This clay is aluminium phyllosilicate made from volcanic ash. It absorbs toxins, brushes away stains, and cleans your mouth too. Products like this work so well because they clean your teeth better than just a tooth brush!
Chemist tip! Make sure you use food grade bentonite clay.
Activated charcoal
Also known as activated carbon is one of the most powerful absorbents you can find. Using activated charcoal on your teeth does a great job of cleaning them REALLY well. It doesn’t have any magical whitening power chemically, but it does so good at cleaning teeth, it whitens them up. Things like this can be abrasive, so use occasionally (not all the time).
One of my favorite products that combines both bentonite clay and charcoal? This one! (picture above!) It comes in a small container, but lasts for a long time.
Things to NOT do!
I see things on the internet talking about using lemon juice or apple cider vinegar. This makes me cringe to read! I think using a strong acid is too risky to use on our teeth. Yes it will work, but it can also damage your enamel.
Lemon juice has a pH of about 2! And apple cider vinegar has a pH around 2.5! These are great for other health issues, but not for teeth.
This is why I always use a STRAW when I drink Chemistry Cachet’s Collagen Concoction!
Take good care of your teeth!
My family has always laughed at me because I am very obsessed about oral care. I have gone to the dentist every 6 months since I was 5 years old (so 26 years now!) for a teeth cleaning. I have never missed an appointment. I enjoy it because I know it is good for my teeth.
Brushing and flossing are so important for your teeth! Using mouthwash is another key to keeping your teeth healthy. Healthy teeth are always whiter too, so regular care will help you keep your smile pretty 🙂
Always consult your dentist when it comes to anything at home for cleaning!
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This is a great post -thank you!!!!!! I had to laugh as I’ve been using a straw like forever. My dentist recommended it for drinking coffee because I do have it first thing in the a.m. The only thing to this routine I don’t do is use it for coffee when out and about. I do use a straw for any cold drinks either when home or out.
Thanks!! Yes straws are so important even for coffee lol! It makes a difference 🙂
I shall try the strawberries, thanks. You mention you daily mouthwash. Do you make your own or purchase?
I use Hello brand mouthwash usually. It is the one in this post:
Alexis,
Activated Carbon/charcoal is an abrasive. It removes not only stains, but also removes enamel from the teeth. Patients are experiencing increased tooth sensitivity, and sensitivity of the gum tissues as well. We only have a certain amount of enamel, and like over-polishing, or too frequent polishing, practices like the charcoal craze can cause permanent damage.
Linda G Cannon, RDH from California
Hi Linda, thanks for your comment! One of my best friends is a dentist (we went to college together) and she told me it was okay to use occasionally for whitening/cleaning. In fact, some argue that many of the ingredients in regular toothpaste damage enamel overtime. Like I mentioned, it’s important to see your dentist and check with them for everything.
This is so great! I need these tips! I’ve heard so many of my friends liking the activated charcoal. I need to try the oil pulling too
Thanks! Oil pulling is pretty gross at first, but it works lol
Great advice
Thanks!
Thanks for these ideas – I would like to try to whiten my teeth a bit, naturally and safely. The chemical white strips scare me. I knew of the hydrogen peroxide/baking soda mix – but what ratio of each ingredient should I use? I eat strawberries almost daily… too bad chewing on them can’t whiten at the same time! And I definitely need to floss more often!
I do some baking soda then just add a few drops of peroxide until it’s a paste. You don’t need much liquid for it to get a good texture. Strawberries are so good! I eat them all the time, I need to use them to whiten more 🙂
Awesome info
Glad you liked it 🙂
Hi Alexis! Just wondering if the strawberries have to be fresh, or if they can be frozen? I am assuming that fresh would be better, but was wondering if there is actually a change in the chemical composition of the Malic acid when the strawberries are frozen? If such a change does occur, is it enough to effect results or would it be insignificant? Also, would vacuum-sealing before freezing make any difference? Just curious and would like to hear your thoughts! Thanks! Patti
They can be frozen! Just make sure to not heat them up to thaw, just let them thaw in refrigerator before using. Heating them can break down the acid and sugars.