4 Natural Substances That Whiten The Teeth And Improve Oral Health
There are multiple commercial products that can be used to whiten your teeth. However, there are also natural substances that can improve the color of your teeth. Some of these products can also enhance the health of your teeth and gums. Here are a few of them:
Baking Soda
Baking soda is known to whiten to the teeth. Many people use a paste made from mixing the white powder with water to form natural toothpaste that whitens the teeth. The whitening power of baking soda is due to its slightly abrasive texture, which helps polish stains from the tooth enamel.
Baking soda is alkaline. Thus, it is also able to increase the pH in the mouth to make the oral cavity less acidic.
Bacterial acid is produced by oral bacteria, such as Streptococcus mutans, as they digest food. The acid dissolves the minerals in the tooth enamel and causes tooth decay. Baking soda can help neutralize the acid, so that it is less damaging to your teeth.
Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide can also whiten the teeth. The release of oxygen from the solution gives it bleaching abilities. Peroxide can be used as a mouth rinse when it is diluted with an equal amount of water.
In addition to whitening to the teeth, peroxide kills the germs of the mouth. Some oral bacteria, such as many of the microbes responsible for bad breath, reside on the tongue and are anaerobic, which means that they die in the presence of oxygen. Because hydrogen peroxide exposes the bacteria to oxygen, the anaerobic microbes are killed.
Turmeric
Turmeric, which is a yellow spice, can also be used as a homemade whitening toothpaste. Although the yellow coloring of the turmeric is deeply staining to many materials, it doesn't darken tooth enamel. The course texture of turmeric powder helps polish away dental discoloration instead.
Turmeric also contains curcumin, which is an anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial substance. Thus, the turmeric can help sooth gum inflammation and kill decay-promoting bacteria.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil can be used as toothpaste or swished about the mouth to dissolve dental stains. Using the oil as toothpaste is not difficult, because it is a solid at room temperature.
Coconut oil is also a good source of lauric acid, which helps soothe inflammation.
To learn more measures that you can take to whiten your teeth while improving your oral health, contact Niantic Dental Associates P C or a similar location.