Super Simple DIY Natural Teeth Whitening Paste (just 3 ingredients!)
DIY Natural DIY Personal Care
Looking to polish up those pearly whites naturally? This DIY all-natural teeth whitening paste is made with just 3 ingredients and works like a charm!
I used to use those horrid teeth whitening strips. You know the ones I’m talking about.
I don’t know about you but they left me in complete and total pain!
If the wind blew, that was enough pressure to drive me mad. Not to mention the fact that I could never get them to stick.
And that I felt like I shouldn’t really swallow cause, heck, who knows what’s on those things anyways?
To get back to the point (was I ever on it in the first place? Oops!) I’ve been using an all-natural, super easy DIY teeth whitening paste for awhile now and have seen great results!
Did I mention it was easy?
We don’t need any unhealthy, crazy chemicals to keep our teeth white.
Nor do we need to drop major money on expensive teeth whitening products!
We can easily make our own natural teeth whitening paste at home with just a few simple ingredients.
This paste is made with just 3 ingredients, two of which are well-known for their teeth whitening benefits — in fact, many whitening toothpastes, mouth washes, whitening strips, etc. etc. contain one or both of them.
Baking soda
Baking soda teeth whitening pastes are tried-and-true. A number of studies (like this one, this one, and this one) have found that toothpaste with baking soda whitens teeth more effectively than toothpastes without baking soda.
Not only does baking soda gently polish away stains on teeth, but studies have found that it also helps kill unhealthy bacteria and prevent plaque build-up by creating an alkaline environment in your mouth (a very big bonus!).
Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide teeth whitening strips and mouthwashes are also popular and for good reason: peroxide is a natural bleaching agent and helps to improve gum health by keeping unhealthy bacteria under control (source).
Peppermint essential oil
Not only does peppermint essential oil provide flavor and freshen breath, but it also helps fight bacteria.
No, it doesn’t help whiten teeth so if you don’t have it, no worries! You can leave it out.
All-Natural DIY Teeth Whitening Paste
Ingredients:
- 1 tsp aluminum-free baking soda
- 2 tsp 3% food grade hydrogen peroxide
- 1 drop peppermint essential oil
*Food grade hydrogen peroxide differs greatly from the run-of-the-mill hydrogen peroxide found in the drugstore, which is not safe to ingest as it contains many heavy metals.
Directions:
- Mix the baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and essential oil into a smooth paste.
- Dip your toothbrush in the paste and brush *gently* for about 2 minutes before brushing with regular toothpaste.
- Use no more than once a week, since baking soda is an abrasive and you don’t want to damage that enamel!
Sorry I meant to say don’t use 35% without diluting it first.
Make sure it is “Food Grade 35% Hydrogen Peroxide” (health food stores sell it) that you then dilute 1:11 with distilled water. Do not use 3% Hydrogen Peroxide….way too strong and will hurt the tissues.
Thanks will try
Using baking soda more than once a week not only severely scratches your enamel, but erodes it as well. Doctors recommend using less than once a week, once every two weeks preferably. Hydrogen peroxide is safe to use daily, especially as mouth wash.
It is the peroxide that is causing the sensitivity.
Oops! Thanks for letting me know , Jennifer – baking soda. I’ll fix the link right now!!
Is it Baking Soda or Powder? When you click the link it takes you directly to Aluminum free baking powder,
Use one or two teaspoons of coconut oil. That whitens very well and detoxifies your mouth. I put one or two teaspoons in my mouth and swish for about 20 minutes. No one knows that I am a smoker and am “supposed” to have yellow teeth.
I like to mix peroxide with unflavored/unsweetened gelatin. I let it set up like jello, and just use a tiny spoon size of it. I usually do this just before getting into the shower. It seems to “grow” the longer you keep it in your mouth, and it’s easy to spit out in the shower.
Hydrogen Peroxide used to be used for cleaning wounds too, but it’s no longer recommended unless it’s done with medical supervision because it’s supposed to break down the tissue. That could explain the sensitivity too. I’m not sure what a “safe” interval is for use. Since some people have soft enamel and other have problems from dry mouth, as in Sjogren’s, the best bet is to ask your dentist. I have used it carefully and for a short brushing without a problem, but I never do it often. Hope this helps.
Dilute the peroxide with water and swish for 2-3 minutes to help protect tooth enamel
thx! day one using the above recipe! will keep ya posted 🙂
Hi, Katie. Thanks for your comment! This is a valid concern, but I think it is debated. Most store-bought whitening agents contain peroxide (“white strips” etc.). According to the EU’s public health department, “a few studies focussing on effect on surface structure and chemistry have shown a degradation of the tooth surface associated with the whitening process… It should also be noted that soft drinks (e.g., Coca-Cola, Pepsi Cola) and fruit juices also cause demineralisation and alteration of enamel comparable to those reported for whitening products.” They then go on to say, “studies measuring potential effects of tooth whiteners at the microscopic scale have shown no or very little effects on hardness and structure of dentin or enamel.” Link: http://ec.europa.eu/health/opinions/en/tooth-whiteners/l-2/5-tooth-whitening-products.htm The American Dental Association also mentions that “Data accumulated over the last 20 years, including some long-term clinical study follow up, indicate no significant, long-term oral or systemic health risks associated with professional at-home tooth bleaching materials containing 10% carbamide peroxide (3.5% hydrogen peroxide).” Link: http://www.ada.org/sections/about/pdfs/HOD_whitening_rpt.pdf
Be careful, my dentist friend told me not to do this. It will take a toll on your enamel. If you do it make sure the peroxide exposure is short. You will see whitening by adding just a bit of baking soda to your toothbrush (I put it on my toothpaste, a Jason one that is fluoride and sls free) once or twice a week and have very white teeth.
Hi, Cari! Yes, I have also seen this before! I use activated charcoal topically (it works wonders for your skin) so have some on hand and will need to give it a go. Thanks for mentioning it! And a big thank you for the compliment 🙂
Hi, Victoria. I would be concerned that the lemon juice would damage the tooth enamel, which can cause some major dental issues.
what about using lemon juice mixed with baking soda?
you can also use powdered Activated Charcoal in the same manner. it was posted on another page and ive tried it. worked very well! :). just open the capsule of powder on your tooth brush, brush on teeth, let sit 2mins or so then rinse well. it might not work as quick as the above method but you may not have the sensitivity problem. Thanks and LOVE your site! 🙂