8 Best Natural Teeth Whiteners That Work Like a Charm

Your teeth convey information to everyone around you. Dirty, stained teeth leave a negative subconscious impression. Diligent tooth brushing and flossing slow but don’t prevent gradual yellowing.

First, not all stains are the same. The two types of teeth stains include:

• Ridges and bumps on teeth that trap food and bacteria.
• Certain foods, coffee, wine, berries, and related stains.

Whitening products work best on the latter. Scrutinize their ingredient lists. Most contain harsh, abrasive, and potentially toxic ingredients.

Instead, high-quality whitening products improve overall health. I’ll cover my favorite natural teeth whitening products and practices to reverse yellowing in under three minutes per day.

1. Charcoal Toothpaste

Charcoal is THE controversial oral care ingredient.

I can see why. After a single—just one—use, my teeth visibly whitened. Well, after rinsing away the black charcoal mess. I used activated charcoal two to three times per week for a month. My housemates noticed.

Then I stopped for a while.

Activated charcoal is abrasive. Abrasive materials can wear down the protective layer on teeth called enamel. My dentist relieved my worry. Similar to how quartz rock cannot scratch diamond, the softer charcoal cannot wear down the stronger tooth enamel.

Buy Magic Mud (Amazon)

2. Coconut Oil Rinse

Swishing specific oils around your mouth kills bad, tooth-darkening bacteria while leaving your oral microbiome bacteria intact.

The ancient Indian practice of Ayurveda has prescribed this practice of “oil pulling” for thousands of years. Commonly used oils include coconut, sesame, and even ghee. I prefer coconut oil. The main active ingredient, lauric acid, effectively kills bacteria. Choose organic, non-GMO varieties for the strongest effect.

Oil pulling also: reduces plaque,

…prevents teeth decay, oral malodor, bleeding gums, dryness of throat and cracked lips, and for strengthening the teeth, gums, and jaws”

Instead of eroding your enamel, coconut oil actively strengthens it.

Little research has investigated oil pulling for teeth whitening, but I noticed a small difference after three weeks of daily use.

Buy Unrefined Organic Coconut Oil (Amazon)

3. Hydrogen Peroxide

A common and effective whitener. While not 100 percent natural, the simple hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) molecule is safe and non-toxic in commercially available concentrations.

According to the research, a solution of just 1 percent hydrogen peroxide used with baking soda whitens teeth.

Significantly too. Another six week study showed an improvement of 62 percent.

Teeth whitening experts recommend diluting hydrogen peroxide to a concentration of 1-1.5 percent and only using a few times per week.

Peroxides are some of the effective natural bleaches. H2O2 also kills certain bacteria in your mouth. It’s one of the most effective tooth whitening agents.

4. Baking Soda

You might already use baking soda as a whitener without realizing it.

A common component in toothpaste, baking soda makes your mouth inhospitable to bacterial growth.

It’s high in sodium, but an effective stain cleaner.

Using baking soda is simple enough. If your toothpaste doesn’t already include it, sprinkle a tad onto your toothbrush.

5. Earth Clays

Baking soda not your thing?

Bentonite is one form of earth clay, and it comes from volcanic ash. Clays are abrasive enough to remove plaque but not damage teeth.

Holistic Dentistry elaborates on the benefits of Bentonite,

“Bentonite protects your teeth, gums, and tongue from toxins. It reduces the damage in your mouth and its benefits are endless. It also recovers enamel, cleans off plaque, and prevents bad odor. Not only is it easy to use this clay, but it also doesn’t have any side effects either.”

Used properly, calcium bentonite clay also improves gut health, binds to toxins, and heals the skin. Clay has other uses:

• Natural face & hair mask
• Detoxification
• Deodorant
• Toothpaste
• Homemade soap

Super fine particles in bentonite polish your teeth. The high sodium content whitens your teeth while also absorbing tooth stains.

Buy Bentonite Clay (Amazon)

Careful though, this powder can quickly make a mess.

6. Ayurvedic Herbs

Ayurveda introduced a primative yet highly effective form of toothpaste.

Herbal paste.

Not only did herbal paste improve oral health, but it whitened teeth too. Neem twigs, oil, and leaves prevent bad breath, kill microbes, and strengthen the teeth.

Another ingredient called Holy Basil also improves the teeth and gums.

Finally, turmeric is anti-inflammatory and antibacterial and supports oral health.

2011 research suggests the Ayurvedic approach would benefit the general public.

Buy Ayurvedic Toothpaste (Amazon)

7. Greater Contrast

A little tan looks good. Spray tan and tanning bed don’t count. Actually go out into the sun every day. 🙂

In addition to vitamin D, nitric oxide, and hormonal benefits, tan skin makes teeth look whiter.

Clothing can work similarly. Celebrities wear contrasting colors to make their teeth appear white.

The whitest my teeth have looked wasn’t after some using some fancy product. Rather, I spent two weeks absorbing Baja California’s sun. Afterward, normal blue shirts made my teeth glimmer.

8. Prevent Stain

The easiest cure is prevention.

Keep your teeth white by controlling what touches them. The worst offenders are dark, acidic liquids. Common stainers include:

• Coffee
• Red wine
• Tea
• Curry
• Beets
• Sports drinks
• Berries

Reducing these is no small feat, I know.

If removing or even reducing the above isn’t possible, always rinse your mouth afterward.

Yellow to White Teeth Naturally

Nothing works better than keeping teeth white to begin with. No products needed.

But many of life’s pleasures stain teeth yellow. When that happens, use a natural tooth whitening product to restore your teeth to their original color.

Quality products improve your overall health, while artificial chemical products work in the short-term but come with potentially toxic side effects.

Spending just a few extra minutes per day can transform your teeth and subconscious impressions. Conversations will feel warmer, and connections closer.