If you feel your teeth are not as white as they can be, due to staining from coffee, tea, or smoking cigarettes, you may be able to brighten them using items you already have within your home. Most people will take a trip to their dentist to see what whitening methods are available in more severe cases. If your teeth have slight staining, some of the following methods may be beneficial in making your teeth appear white once again.

Use Some Baking Soda

Make a toothpaste out of a few tablespoons of baking soda and some water. Add the water to the baking soda a little at a time and mix with a spoon until it becomes a consistency you desire. Use the spoon to place some of this on a toothbrush and brush it over the surface of your teeth. When using baking soda, it will naturally eliminate surface stains, but it will also wear away your top layer of tooth enamel if left in place too long. Limit this method to once a week for no longer than a minute of brushing. You will see results right away!

Make a Mouthwash

There are two materials in the home you can use to make a homemade mouthwash that will remove surface stains. Hydrogen peroxide can be placed into your mouth and swished around for a minute or two to help remove stains. This method is safe for your teeth and also helps to remove bacteria from within the mouth. Coconut oil is another method you can try. When using coconut oil as a mouthwash, you will want to leave it in your mouth for up to twenty minutes for the maximum benefits. It does take a bit longer to remove bacteria and staining, but the results are noticeable.

Try Some Fruits

Use the inside of a banana peel to rub on your stained teeth. This method is completely safe and can be done often to help erase discoloring from the teeth. Simply rub for a minute or two with the peel and then rinse your mouth with water. Another fruit that removes staining are strawberries. To use this method, place a strawberry into a small bowl and mash it with a fork. Use the pulpy pieces to remove staining by tilting back your head and applying them directly to the fronts of the affected teeth. Leave the pieces in place for a few minutes, remove, and rinse your mouth with water.

For more information, talk to a professional like James Tritton DDS PC.