DIY Teeth Whitening

What’s the first thing you notice about someone when you first meet them? For many people, it’s the person’s smile. A survey by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry revealed that the biggest thing people want to change about their smile is the whiteness of their teeth. Before all the over-the-counter whitening products were in stores, there were ways to whiten your teeth at home with just a few simple ingredients.

Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda
A very common way to brighten your smile at home is by creating a paste with hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. The chemicals in the combination act as agents that break down stain-causing particles on your tooth enamel. When creating the paste, use a ratio of two parts hydrogen peroxide to one part baking soda. Let the mixture sit on your teeth for about a minute, and then rinse off. Important: Only use this method 2-3 times per week, as the baking soda can start breaking down your enamel and create tooth sensitivity.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Another multi-purpose household product that works for whitening teeth is apple cider vinegar. This product can be used two ways: as a rinse or as a paste. You can gargle it each day for a whitening effect over time; or you can create a paste with baking soda using the same two-to-one ratio as the peroxide method above.

Coconut Oil & Peppermint Leaves
Although there hasn’t been too much research on the effects of coconut oil for oral health, it is highlighted for its stain-removing qualities. You can mix the oil with a mashed peppermint leaf to get a minty aftertaste.his helps remove some of the bacteria that causes teeth to look yellow. Like the apple cider vinegar the effects happen over time, but unlike the baking soda, coconut oil is safe enough to use every day.

While home remedies will help you get whiter teeth over time, if you are looking for more immediate results, consider Zoom! Teeth Whitening! As one Zoom! Customer said: “Zoom! Whitening was so easy and fast. I was in and out of my dentist’s office in an hour and the process made my teeth 5 shades whiter. My only regret is that I didn’t have Zoom! done sooner.” At Ronald Murphy Dentistry we offer Zoom! teeth whitening at an affordable price so you can have the brightest of whites.

For more information about transforming your smile with Zoom! Teeth Whitening or to schedule an appointment, call our office at 630-879-7642.