Natural Teeth Whitening Methods: Do They Really Work?

With more than 1 billion dollars spent annually on at-home teeth whitening products, the industry continues to rise in popularity as more and more Americans attempt to get rid of stains and discoloration to achieve a brighter smile. Although professional teeth whitening remains among the most popular dental procedures, many people avoid it because of the hefty price tag and the chemicals involved in bleaching the teeth.

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Natural remedies are popular DIY alternatives to professional whitening, including activated charcoal, baking soda, and lemon. Do they really work? In this guide to natural teeth whitening, we’ll dive deeper into the most popular DIY treatments, debunk widespread misconceptions, discuss the most effective remedies, and look at some methods that remain popular despite the lack of scientific evidence.

Natural Teeth Whitening: How Does It Work?

Teeth come into contact with foods and drinks that change their color and impact overall oral health. Coffee, tea, wine, and tobacco can cause staining, while certain fruits can lead to yellowing. Luckily, many remedies — hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and oil pulling — can combat the negative impact of everyday products. For instance, baking soda works like a scrubbing agent, while hydrogen peroxide is a mild bleach often used in mouthwashes and toothpaste.

Before embarking on a teeth-whitening journey, a word of advice: if you suffer from dental conditions, like periodontal disease, or have veneers or other dental work done, consider talking to your dentist. Although many natural methods are safe, they still contain chemicals that can cause unpleasant side effects.  

Home Remedies: Most Effective Natural Teeth Whitening Methods

Let’s take a closer look at some of the safest and most effective at-home treatments available. 

1. Baking Soda

Sodium bicarbonate, touted as one of the best at-home natural teeth whiteners, is a mild abrasive that can remove pesky surface stains from your teeth. It’s also an alkaline compound that helps combat tooth decay, improve oral health, and prevent bacteria from growing. Despite its proven effectiveness, baking soda has limits: the abrasive won’t remove deeper stains or whiten your teeth.

There are several ways to benefit from the positive alkaline and abrasive properties of baking soda:

• Choose toothpaste with sodium bicarbonate. In addition to baking soda’s stain-reducing properties, ready-made whitening toothpastes contain several chemicals that positively affect your oral health. One of them is fluoride, which helps prevent cavities and strengthen your teeth.

• Make a paste. Take a teaspoon of baking soda and add some water (a couple of teaspoons) to create the paste. To achieve any visible effect, apply the treatment a couple of times a week.

Despite the concerns that this remedy may be too harsh for the enamel of your teeth, it remains one of the most effective and safe ways to remove surface stains from your teeth.

2. Hydrogen Peroxide

Commonly used to disinfect wounds, hydrogen peroxide is not only known for reducing the number of bacteria; it’s also a natural bleaching agent used in toothpastes and DIY pastes. Here’s how hydrogen peroxide is commonly used in DIY whitening treatments:

• Choose toothpaste with hydrogen peroxide. Toothpastes containing hydrogen peroxide are more effective at whitening teeth and reducing discoloration than charcoal-containing toothpastes.

• Make a paste. Mix a tablespoon of baking soda and two tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide and gently brush your teeth. Although the paste reduces staining and helps whiten your teeth, don’t use it more often than a couple of times per week, as it can damage the enamel.

• Use as mouthwash. Combine one part 3% hydrogen peroxide with two parts water to get a 1% solution. Gargle the mixture for around 60 seconds and spit it out. Like other mouthwashes, you can experience a slight burning sensation. If the feeling doesn’t go away or gets worse, contact your dentist.

3. Oil Pulling

Stemming from Ayurvedic medicine, oil pulling is another popular home remedy with proven effectiveness. Here’s how it works: Swish a tablespoon of oil, like olive, sesame, sunflower, or coconut, in your mouth for 15-20 minutes and gently push and pull the oil through your teeth. Although swishing oils around your mouth don’t have scientifically proven teeth-whitening qualities, they're effective in combating tooth decay, reducing bacteria, plaque, and halitosis (bad breath) and improving oral health.

There is a reason why coconut oil is among the most popular choices: in addition to its numerous health benefits, coconut oil has a pleasant taste. After 15-20 minutes are up, spit the coconut oil into a trash can to avoid clogging the pipes, as the coconut oil will return to its solid form. Be careful not to swallow the oil, as it contains toxins and bacteria from the mouth.

4. Change Your Diet

From dark sodas and tea to wine and coffee, many foods can stain your teeth. For instance, citrusy fruits cause yellowing by wearing down your enamel. Limiting tea, coffee, dark berries, dark sodas, tobacco, and citrus intake and drinking water after consuming food will help prevent and minimize further staining.

It’s worth mentioning that, despite their safety and popularity, these methods are less effective than professional teeth whitening.

Least Effective Natural Teeth Whitening Methods

Not all the home whitening methods mentioned work; some of them are ineffective, while others are downright damaging. Here are the most common ones you’re likely to see in countless articles promising you a set of shiny whites after a couple of treatments.

1. Charcol

Despite its rise in popularity, charcoal is likely to do more harm than good. Its abrasive properties will damage the enamel, leading to dental erosion and increased sensitivity. Home treatments aside, if you’re considering buying charcoal toothpaste, look for an ADA-approved one.

2. Lemon

Another popular natural teeth-whitening method you should steer away from involves lemon juice. The acidic properties of lemon damage tooth enamel, leading to decay and tooth sensitivity.

3. Apple Cider Vinegar

Another whitening method to avoid is swishing apple cider vinegar. The acidic compounds will damage your enamel, resulting in higher sensitivity and tooth decay.

In conclusion, despite the proliferation of natural teeth-whitening methods and treatments, some will do more harm than good. Although some at-home remedies, like oil pulling, mild hydrogen peroxide solutions, or baking soda toothpastes, help reduce staining and whiten teeth, other methods, like making charcoal pastes or using apple cider vinegar and lemons, will damage the enamel and lead to heightened sensitivity.