6 simple teeth whitening tricks using items you already have at home

As much as you brush, floss and care for your teeth, they can still start to appear yellow as you age.

While there are plenty of fancy toothpastes and tooth whitening products on the market, some of them can be costly.

What if there was a way to make your teeth whiter using every day items in your home?

Chances are you’ll be able to find these 6 natural teeth whiteners in your cupboard.

1. Orange peel

As an acidic citrus fruit, orange is a very handy tooth whitener. Regular cleaning with fresh orange peel can help reduce the yellow tinge on your teeth. All you have to do is rub the peel on your teeth before going to sleep for a few weeks and you will notice your teeth become whiter. Apparently, the vitamin C and calcium in the peel will keep microorganisms at bay as you sleep. You can also use dried orange peel powder.

2. Baking Soda

It seems like baking soda can be used for just about anything, including whitening your teeth. Not only does it help remove plaque, it also gives your teeth a pearly white shine. There are several ways you can use it on your teeth. Try mixing a quarter of a teaspoon of baking soda with toothpaste and brushing your teeth with it once or twice a week.

3. Banana peel

Banana skin works the same way as an orange peel. Simply rub a banana peel over your teeth for two minutes each day. The potassium, manganese and magnesium in the banana peel will absorb into your teeth and help get rid of the yellow stains on your teeth.

4. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil has so many uses, so it’s no surprise you can use it to whiten your teeth. The process is called oil pulling. All you have to do is swish a small amount of coconut oil in your mouth for 20 minutes every morning before you eat. It’ll protect your teeth from plaque and enamel.

5. Vaseline

It may not sound very appealing, but rubbing a layer of petroleum jelly onto your teeth will help stop food from staining your teeth. Sure it’s not likely to instantly whiten your teeth, but over time it’ll keep them whiter for longer.

6. Tumeric

It’s commonly used to dye things yellow, but apparently tumeric can whiten your teeth. In fact, in India it’s a widely used teeth whitener. Not only does it whiten teeth, it also cleanses your teeth and protects your gums from infection. Try mixing one table spoon of tumeric powder with an equal amount of water until you have a thick paste. Brush your teeth with the paste gently for a few minutes and spit and rinse until the water comes out clean.

If you notice any of these products having side effects on your teeth or dental hygiene, you should stop using them immediately and seek treatment from a dentist.

IMPORTANT LEGAL INFO This article is of a general nature and FYI only, because it doesn’t take into account your personal health requirements or existing medical conditions. That means it’s not personalised health advice and shouldn’t be relied upon as if it is. Before making a health-related decision, you should work out if the info is appropriate for your situation and get professional medical advice.