Natural Teeth-Whitening Products That Actually Work

There is no denying that many people love white teeth, on themselves as well as on others. Having white teeth is not only aesthetically appealing to most people but it also has a psychological reason behind it. According to Dr. Dacher Keltner, a professor of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, most people are attracted to white teeth because they appear to be cleaner and healthier as compared to stained or yellow ones (via Northern Trails Dental Care).

While the yellowing of your teeth is not always a sign of poor oral hygiene or improper brushing as there could be many factors contributing to it (via Healthline), having white teeth allows a person to feel confident about their smile. In fact, science has proved that a beautiful smile, combined with pearly white teeth, could also help a person attract potential romantic partners.

According to a study conducted at the University of Leeds and Central Lancashire in the United Kingdom, "teeth are the human equivalent of a peacock's tail" (via the Daily Mail). This implies that just like a female peafowl is sexually attracted to a male peacock with the largest train (via The World of Science), humans also subconsciously associate genetic quality and health — traits that help them choose a mate — with white teeth and a beautiful smile. Moreover, people also think that having white teeth will help them achieve a younger look because all of our teeth tend to become yellow and stained as we age (via Just For Your Smile). 

Continue reading to find out more about natural teeth-whitening products that actually work. 

Owing to the aforementioned reasons, there is a huge demand among people across the globe to make their teeth as white and shiny as possible through different procedures. While you can achieve pearly white teeth almost instantly through dental procedures like scaling, polishing, and bleaching, the treatments could often put too big a dent in your wallet. However, there are other ways to whiten your teeth the natural way without having to spend too much money.

For instance, you can use certain kinds of toothpaste, dental products, and even at-home remedies to achieve the smile of your dreams (via MBG Lifestyle). However, it is important to bear in mind that while many teeth-whitening products could give you the desired results, they might not be long-lasting. Also, overusing these products could do more harm to your teeth than good by damaging the enamel, so always proceed with caution (via UK National Health Service).

One of the most popular teeth-whitening products that works is activated charcoal. As Healthline explains, activated charcoal can help remove stains from your teeth because of its highly absorbent nature. In addition to that, it can also help get rid of toxins and bacteria in your mouth. You can either buy a toothpaste containing activated charcoal or use it in the form of a powder. According to one study published in the Journal of Applied Oral Science, activated charcoal can give you whiter teeth within a month.

Another product that can help you whiten your teeth is coconut oil. According to Healthline, coconut oil pulling, a method that requires you to swish the oil in your mouth for 10 to 30 minutes, could kill bacteria and remove plaque from your teeth, per a study published in the Nigerian Medical Journal. You should, however, always go for a high-quality organic oil to do the job.

A concoction of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide is also quite effective when it comes to teeth whitening and removing stains, a 2012 study showed (via PubMed). However, this method should not be carried out too often as it could damage the enamel of your teeth if overdone (via Medical News Today).

Using apple cider vinegar could also help you achieve pearly white teeth. Owing to its acidic nature, this vinegar can remove layers of plaque from your teeth, making them whiter. However, apple cider vinegar should not be used too frequently because of the abrasive nature of acids, which can damage tooth enamel and cause cavities (via Angleton Family Dental and Orthodontics).