A great smile has the power to boost your confidence and get compliments. But if you’ve ever tried to brighten those pearly whites, you know it can be a long, sometimes frustrating, process.
You can try white strips, which bleach your teeth with harsh chemicals. And if you have sensitive teeth, it may result in more pain in your mouth. You could try brushing more or using a different kind of toothpaste, but that still might not do the trick to whiten up your teeth.
But did you know that you can dramatically brighten your teeth with just two simple, natural ingredients? It’s a trend that’s greatly gained popularity as a safe, effective and clean way to change the shade of your teeth. In fact, 1st Family Dental of Mount Prospect, a Mount Prospect dentist, has identified it as a useful home teeth whitening method.
The magic ingredients that can get your teeth whiter are coconut oil and turmeric. That’s all you need. No more spending hundreds of dollars on expensive teeth whitening products that don’t work.
Before you ignore this trend or just dive right in, there are some interesting things to be aware of. Here, we share five things to know about whitening your teeth with turmeric and coconut oil.
Although not everyone has heard about it, turmeric has taken off in popularity with amazing health benefits. Rachel Lapidos from Well and Good notes that turmeric has been used for its skin boosting and inflammation-fighting powers. Now, people have discovered its ability to whiten teeth.
It may seem counterintuitive at first, as turmeric is a yellow-orange shade that transfers its color to what it touches. For teeth, however, it’s a different story. Turmeric actually makes your teeth more white than off-white, says Lapidos.
Coconut oil has also been known as a health food for its ability to raise good cholesterol and lower bad cholesterol. It has also been used to help improve your skin’s appearance. Coconut oil can also help whiten and brighten your smile.
Lapidos notes that coconut oil reduces plaque and helps to fight bacteria that can lead to cavities. She also notes that the coconut oil attaches to tooth bacteria and pulls it off.
Coconut oil also helps to create the paste in the teeth whitening process. It holds the properties of the turmeric in and allows you to easily brush the paste on your teeth to start whitening.
Getting an effective teeth whitener may be as easy as just heading to your pantry. You may already have coconut oil and turmeric in your house. If you’re not ready to try turmeric, baking soda is a popular alternative.
To make the paste, simply combine one tablespoon of coconut oil with just a pinch of turmeric, according to Lapidos. Then, rub the paste on your teeth and let it sit for about five minutes. Rinse your mouth out and then brush your teeth as you normally would with toothpaste.
While the bright color of turmeric may make you question if in fact, it will make your teeth whiter, it works. The process involves natural ingredients, not harmful chemicals. In fact, Heather from Mommypotamus notes that a big danger of using whitening strips is gum inflammation and receding gums.
In contrast, the paste made from coconut oil and turmeric improves the health of your gums. This natural approach can be a great, effective alternative to the harsh chemicals used in traditional whiteners.
Some things to be aware of are that it does take time to whiten your teeth with turmeric and coconut oil. There is some clean up involved as turmeric is a bright yellow substance. You’ll want to make sure your sink and counters are clean after you whiten so you don’t get stains in your bathroom.
Brushing with turmeric will also turn your toothbrush a yellow-orange color, which is something to be aware of as you start your routine.
Just like any teeth whitening process, getting brighter pearls may take a few tries before you notice a dramatic difference. But it is important not to overdo it. Turmeric, after all, still is an abrasive ingredient. The gum tissue in your mouth is soft and sensitive and has the potential to become irritated with excessive brushing. You should limit your use of the paste to a couple of times a week.
If you regularly whiten your teeth a few times per week, you will still be able to see a difference without putting your gums in danger.
You don’t need to spend a lot of money on harmful chemicals to get your teeth whiter. By using just two simple ingredients, you can get a whiter, brighter smile that people will notice.
