People have sought to achieve healthy, white smiles for centuries. Substantial experimentation has been done in this quest for the ultimate pearly whites, thus uncovering many effective ways of successfully whitening teeth. Here are five suggestions to help achieve a brighter smile:

Charcoal

Although rubbing your teeth with charcoal doesn’t sound like an effective teeth whitening method, however it’s actually a good way to remove stains from yellow tooth enamel. Don’t use the same charcoal you would use in the BBQ. The type needed is activated charcoal powder, which is safe when ingested and actually given to patients suffering from food poisoning. It’s simple, gently rub the powdered charcoal over the affected area for about 30 seconds before brushing as usual. You can also dissolve it into water and swish the water in your mouth. This method will yield best results if repeated several times per week.

Orange Peels

You’re probably already aware that lemon juice has the power to lighten skin and hair significantly if applied often, but few people really want to put it on their teeth. Orange peels are a more palatable alternative. Rubbing the inside of an orange peel over your teeth before brushing with a fluoride toothpaste should reveal noticeable results within one week. You’ll also receive the added health benefits of eating more oranges.

Baking Soda

You can save money and slay stains by mixing a bit of baking soda with your regular toothpaste when you brush. The baking soda will keep teeth bright and breath fresh. This is a tried-and-true method of providing teeth with a gentle whitening boost that has been used successfully for centuries. Don’t use too much baking soda, because it is abrasive and may damage your enamel over time. It’s best to brush with baking soda every few days or once a week.

Strawberries

Apply a paste made of mashed strawberries to your teeth and leaving it on for three-to-five minutes before rinsing thoroughly and brushing with a fluoride toothpaste. You should see considerable brightening within several days. Many people enjoy alternating this with the orange peel tooth whitening method. The benefit of this method is that it not only whitens, but it also tastes good! If you are sensitive to the taste of whitening gels and products, this might be the method for you.

Professional Whitening

Several methods exist for whitening teeth professionally, and if you’re interested in going this route, you should make an appointment with a dentist to discuss your options. According to professionals at Genesis Dental, although most at home tooth whitening products are safe, it’s best to discuss any whitening plans with your dentist to make sure your teeth are in good health. Advances in teeth whitening techniques have been substantial in recent years, and there may be methods that would be excellent for you that you are not even aware of. Laser whitening, for instance, has become a very popular way of achieving a dazzling smile. Although home remedies have the potential to significantly whiten teeth, if you need them white for a special event, the only way to quickly reach the shade you want is professional techniques.

Whichever technique you decide works best for you, you’ll reap many benefits from amping up your smile. Don’t be afraid to experiment and try different ways of brightening your pearly whites. A bright smile helps build confidence in both social and work situations. Don’t be self conscious, use one of these methods to whiten your smile and take on the world!