Looking to whiten teeth naturally and without an expensive trip to the dentist? These 5 tried-and-true natural teeth whitening methods are so simple to do at home and extremely affordable!

Are your pearly whites not holding up to their name?

In other words: not exactly looking so pearly white?

Hey, it happens. Coffee, wine, tea… age. They can make your smile look a little lackluster.

But no worries!

You can get things back to where belong and maybe even a few shades brighter with these natural teeth whitening remedies.

You heard me right: you absolutely DO NOT need unhealthy chemicals to whiten your teeth!

Let’s take a closer look at how to whiten teeth naturally with a few tried-and-true methods.

Natural Teeth Whitening Remedies: 5 Tried-and-True Methods

Activated charcoal: the unlikeliest natural teeth whitener

How can something so black that stains just about everything it comes into contact with (warning: don’t get it near fabrics or tile grout!) possibly whiten your teeth?

Well activated charcoal attracts and draws impurities. So when you apply it to your teeth, it draws out the impurities causing the discoloration.

How to use activated charcoal to whiten teeth naturally?

• Simply add a 1/4 teaspoon or 1 capsule of activated charcoal to some water and swish it around like a mouthwash for a few minutes
• Dip your wet toothbrush in some activated charcoal and brush for 2-3 minutes
• Creating a paste by mixing activated charcoal with coconut oil and baking soda, and brush for 2-3 minutes
• Get yourself a pre-made teeth whitening paste with activated charcoal, like this FineVine Toothpaste

I suggest using activated charcoal to whiten teeth at night since some can get stuck between your teeth and under your gums. Don’t worry: it’s not permanently stained! And it should be gone by the time you brush your teeth in the morning, just in time to show your pearly whites off to the world!

NOTE: Those with crowns, caps, veneers, or dental implants should steer clear of activated charcoal since it may cause discoloration.

Oil pulling: the daily habit for whiter teeth and healthier gums

Unlike the other natural teeth whitening remedies on this list, oil pulling is a practice rather than an ingredient. Though there really is only one ingredient you need to get started: coconut oil or sesame seed oil.

What is oil pulling? Well I cover all of the ins and outs in this blog post, Oil Pulling: Everything You Need to Know. But in short:

• For over 3,000 years, oil pulling has been a popular Ayurvedic practice to improve oral health as well as general health and wellness (even modern medicine acknowledges the intimate connection between oral health and the health of other body systems)
• The practice is simple: it involves swishing a tablespoon of oil in your mouth first thing in the morning before eating, drinking, or brushing your teeth
• The oil attracts bacteria and toxins in the mouth which are then expelled (i.e. spit out) along with the oil

Oil pulling not only helps reduce bacteria and improve gum health, but also whitens teeth over time.

Hydrogen Peroxide

A classic teeth whitener, hydrogen peroxide is a natural bleaching agent that also kills bacteria in your mouth. This is why so many commercial whitening products (even those that contain unnatural and unhealthy ingredients) contain hydrogen peroxide.

How to use hydrogen peroxide to whiten teeth naturally?

• Get yourself an all-natural toothpaste that includes hydrogen peroxide, like this Essential Oxygen certified organic mint toothpaste.
• Use a solution of 1.5-3%* hydrogen peroxide as a mouthwash. I like this Essential Oxygen Organic Brushing Rinse.
• Make a whitening paste with hydrogen peroxide and baking soda — see this DIY All-Natural Teeth Whitener recipe for more details/directions.

*A little warning though: hydrogen peroxide can cause sensitivity, especially if used in excess or at high concentrations. If you already have sensitive teeth, you may want to choose a different option. Studies have also found that very high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (10-30%) can also damage tooth enamel, which is why it’s important to stick with a low concentration.

Baking soda

Baking soda is another tried-and-true natural teeth whitener. 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.

It also creates an alkaline environment in the mouth, which keeps bacteria under control and reduces plaque build up (a big bonus!).

Baking soda works as a mild abrasive that helps scrub away surface stains on teeth. That being said, you must be very careful when using baking soda to whiten teeth — you don’t want to compromise your tooth enamel.

How to use baking soda to whiten teeth naturally?

• Make a whitening paste with hydrogen peroxide and baking soda — see this DIY All-Natural Teeth Whitener recipe for more details/directions.
• Make a whitening paste by combining equal parts baking soda and coconut oil. Gently brush for 1-2 minutes after brushing normally.

Turmeric

Yes, another unlike teeth whitener!

Like activated charcoal, turmeric has a reputation for staining just about everything it comes into contact with. But also like activated charcoal, turmeric helps brighten up stained teeth.

I never even would have thought of this natural teeth whitening remedy until I read all about it from Heather over at Mommypotamus, who swears by it!

How to use turmeric to whiten teeth naturally?

• Wet your toothbrush, then dip it in dried turmeric powder. Bush on teeth, then allow to sit for 3-5 minutes. Brush again as normal, with your regular toothpaste.
• Make a paste using 2 parts dried turmeric powder to 1 part coconut oil. Bush on teeth, then allow to sit for 3-5 minutes. Brush again as normal, with your regular toothpaste.

NOTE: Those with crowns, caps, veneers, or dental implants should steer clear of turmeric since it may cause discoloration.

Have you tried any of these natural teeth whitening remedies?

How did it go!? Any tips to share?

We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!