Almost everything we eat and drink will impact the color of our teeth. Over time, coffee, wine, berries and many other things will leave the teeth yellow and looking old. A smile that we are not proud to show can impact our confidence socially and professionally, so it is no wonder that many people regularly whiten their teeth. Many people want a brighter smile but either does not want the expense or the disadvantages of many of the over the counter tooth whitening and bleaching agents, such as the resulting tooth and gum sensitivity. The next logical solution is to turn to natural teeth whitening remedies. The question is, which ones really work?

Combating the effects of caffeine, nicotine and other stains on our teeth can be an ongoing battle, so finding a variety of natural teeth whitening remedies is key in keeping a beautiful smile.

Most Popular Natural Teeth Whitening Remedies
- Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide paste brushed on and rinsed off makes teeth bright. Hydrogen peroxide is not only effective and affordable, but is one of the main agents used in commercially available whitening strips.
- Bicarbonate of soda used 5 minutes before brushing
- Making a paste of mashed strawberries and rubbing them on the teeth has can be quite effective in whitening
- Lemon juice is also quite effective
- Using apple cider vinegar to brush once a day is a popular alternative to many of the more harsh tooth whitening agents
- A homemade whitening "tray" can be made by spreading a paste of toothpaste and baking soda on foil or plastic wrap and placing on teeth for an hour, once or twice a week, and brushing after.
- Rubbing an orange peel over the white areas has been known to make them whiter also.
- Eating the more crunchy vegetables such as carrots and celery will scrub away debris and stain.

Precautions of Some Remedies
As with all things, care should be taken when using any home remedy. Even over the counter products can cause serious damage to the enamel surface of the tooth and should only be used with restraint. Using wood ash from a fireplace is a popular solution often found online. However, it is also potentially one of the most harmful. Wood ash should only be used infrequently as it contains a small amount of lye. Both Lemons and strawberries are highly acidic and can weaken tooth enamel. Additionally, different tooth whitening remedies may work better for different stains, so knowing several solutions may help in whitening harder stains.

Natural Teeth Whitening Products Available Commercially
There are many natural tooth whitening products available on the market. Many of the more effective ingredients may be more challenging to find for an average consumer. Many of them will use bamboo powder whose effects have stood up over time. The commercially available natural solutions also save time for the consumer, are available and ready to use. Many people find that they are also cost effective.

Any tooth whitening product, over the counter traditional or natural or natural tooth whitening home remedies should be used with caution.