The fact is every body’s teeth are different and so what might work for one person, may not work for another.

In general, it is important to get a general check up before considering whitening your teeth, and you might be pleasantly surprised by what a professional clean and polish can do to the appearance of your teeth. You can ask the dentist for their advice, even if you are considering a natural or non-professional whitening system. This is a good idea, because if there are any gum problems (which can be symptom free.. ) or undiagnosed decay etc., whitening can cause a lot of pain and damage. Some methods are perfectly fine on healthy teeth and gums but please let a dentist guide you.

Start by buying a new tooth brush, an electric tooth brush is generally better, brush your tongue – home to stain forming bacteria, and avoiding the usual suspects – coffee, red wine, black tea etc.

1. Good ole fashioned activated CHARCOAL

Charcoal is sweeping the internet with its whitening properties, selfies of people with black lips and teeth are the coolest thing..
Does it work? Well, activated charcoal is highly absorbent and removes toxins it comes into contact with. It’s used in mainstream medicine to expel unwanted chemicals from the body, such as after someone swallows poison etc. Water filters also use activated charcoal to remove impurities.

Activated charcoal is attracted to tannins which are often found in many stain-inducing drinks like wine, coffee and herbal tea. Theoretically this may be why activated charcoal also works as a stain remover… but there’s really no research to back up the claim.

It is believed that the charcoal dust may wick away surface stains, but will not go deeper than that, about the same as using a smokers toothpaste will do.
I have heard that people are spending more time cleaning their bathroom after brushing with activated charcoal, than actually cleaning their teeth.

Most concerns within the dental industry is that its overuse, or misuse could cause harm, if it is replacing conventional brushing and flossing with a fluoride tooth paste. But apart from its abrasiveness, its use does is considered to be not harmful, just messy. But prolonged use may cause harm by wearing away at the tooth surface due its abrasiveness.

2. Abrasive pastes, like smokers tooth paste

Got 12 months? These can work but take continued use over longer time frames, causing problems by wearing away at the tooth surface due to their abrasive nature.

3. Oxidising agents like Hydrogen Peroxide

This is the common ingredient found in most dental office tooth whitening supplies, ususally carbamine peroxide or hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide breaks down to hydrogen and water and with decades of research, is considered safe, in the correct application, so having a good check up with a dentist prior to its use is vital. The oxidizing agent is applied by custom made ‘whitening trays’ which holds the gel evenly and exactly where it is need, and keeps it clear of your gums, or sensitive parts of your teeth. I have seen these products work, over a long time frame, and with no ill effects, apart from temporary sensitivity.

Whitening strips or other products available online lack this custom fitting of the product in a safe and effective way and can therefore be disappointing, or dangerous.

4. Oil pulling with coconut oil

If you have been living under a rock you might not be aware of some of the claimed health benefits of coconut oil, in its various uses.

It is claimed to reduce the levels of streptococcus mutans, a bacteria causing decay, and also claims that it whitens your teeth. No harm apart from time and expense if it doesn’t work, as long as it is not done at the expense of traditional cleaning.

5. Strawberry’s

Strawberries contain a whole lot of malic acid, a tooth-whitening but also contain natural sugar.

Usually the strawberry is pulped, mixed with a small amount of bicarbonate of soda and brushed onto teeth for 5 minutes, once a week. Care would be needed with bicarbonate of soda as it can be harmful to teeth in continued use, and leaving a pureed strawberry on your teeth for five minutes may cause and accelerate decay, but this seems like an interesting, and home grown way of whitening your teeth.

let me know if you tried the strawberry way!