What Causes Teeth to Look

Yellow?
There are multiple factors that cause teeth to become dull and lose their
bright, white sparkle.

Certain foods can stain your enamel, which is the outermost layer of your
teeth. Additionally, plaque build-up on your teeth can cause them to look
yellow.

This type of discoloration can usually be treated with regular cleaning and
whitening remedies.

However, sometimes teeth look yellow because the hard enamel has eroded
away, revealing the dentin underneath. Dentin is a naturally yellow, bony
tissue that lies underneath the enamel.

Here are 7 simple ways you can naturally whiten your teeth.

1. Try Oil Pulling

Oil pulling is a traditional Indian folk remedy meant to improve oral hygiene
and remove toxins from the body.

The practice involves swishing oil around in your mouth to remove bacteria,
which can turn into plaque and cause your teeth to look yellow (2Trusted
Source).
Traditionally, Indians used sunflower or sesame oil for oil pulling, but any oil
will work.

Coconut oil is a popular choice because it has a pleasant taste and offers
many additional health benefits.

Coconut oil is also high in lauric acid, which is known for its ability to reduce
inflammation and kill bacteria (3Trusted Source, 4Trusted Source, 5Trusted
Source, 6Trusted Source).

A few studies have shown that daily oil pulling effectively reduces bacteria in
the mouth, along with plaque and gingivitis (3Trusted Source, 7Trusted
Source, 8Trusted Source).

Streptococcus mutans is one of the primary types of bacteria in the mouth that
cause plaque and gingivitis. One study found that daily swishing with sesame
oil significantly reduced Streptococcus mutans in saliva in as little as one week
(8Trusted Source).

Unfortunately, there are no scientific studies to prove that oil pulling whitens
your teeth. However, it's a safe practice and definitely worth a try. Many
people claim their teeth are whiter and brighter after regular oil pulling.

To oil pull, put 1 tablespoon of coconut oil in your mouth and push and pull the
oil through your teeth. Coconut oil is solid at room temperature, so you may
need to wait a few seconds for it to melt. Continue the oil pulling for a full 15–
20 minutes.

Be sure to spit the coconut oil into a toilet or trash can, as it could return to
solid form once in your drain pipes and cause a clog.
Unlike many other tooth whitening methods, coconut oil pulling does not
expose your teeth to acid or other ingredients that erode the enamel. This
means it is safe to do daily.

You can purchase coconut oil online.

BOTTOM LINE:Coconut oil pulling involves swishing oil in your mouth for 15–
20 minutes to remove bacteria. Practicing this daily can reduce plaque and
may brighten your teeth.

2. Brush With Baking Soda

Baking soda has natural whitening properties, which is why it's a popular
ingredient in commercial toothpaste.

It's a mild abrasive that can help scrub away surface stains on teeth.

Additionally, baking soda creates an alkaline environment in your mouth,

which prevents bacteria from growing (9Trusted Source).

This is not a remedy that will whiten your teeth overnight, but you should
notice a difference in the appearance of your teeth over time.

Science has not yet proven that brushing with plain baking soda will whiten
your teeth, but several studies show that toothpaste with baking soda has a
significant whitening effect.

One study found that toothpastes containing baking soda were significantly
more effective at removing yellow stains from teeth than standard toothpastes
without baking soda. The higher the concentration of baking soda, the greater
the effect (10Trusted Source).
Furthermore, a review of five studies found that toothpastes containing baking
soda removed plaque from teeth more effectively than non-baking soda
toothpastes (11Trusted Source).

To use this remedy, mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda with 2 teaspoons

of water and brush your teeth with the paste. You can do this a few times per
week.

You can buy baking soda at a grocery store or find it online.

BOTTOM LINE:Brushing with a paste made with baking soda and water can
reduce bacteria in your mouth and buff away surface stains.

3. Use Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is a natural bleaching agent that also kills bacteria in your
mouth (12Trusted Source).

In fact, people have been using hydrogen peroxide for years to disinfect
wounds because of its ability to kill bacteria.

Many commercial whitening products contain hydrogen peroxide, although at

a much higher concentration than you will use.

Unfortunately, there aren't any studies to show the effects of rinsing or

brushing with hydrogen peroxide alone, but several studies have analyzed
commercial toothpastes containing peroxide.

One study found that a toothpaste containing baking soda and 1% hydrogen
peroxide led to significantly whiter teeth (13Trusted Source).
Another study found that brushing with a commercial toothpaste containing
baking soda and peroxide twice per day led to 62% whiter teeth in six weeks
(14Trusted Source).

However, there are some questions regarding the safety of hydrogen

peroxide.

While heavily diluted concentrations appear safe, strong concentrations or

overuse can cause gum irritation and tooth sensitivity. There's also concern
that high doses may cause cancer, but this has not been proven (15Trusted
Source, 16Trusted Source, 17Trusted Source, 18Trusted Source, 19Trusted
Source).

One way to use hydrogen peroxide is as a mouthwash before you brush your
teeth. Make sure you are using a 1.5% or 3% solution to avoid side effects.

The most common concentration of hydrogen peroxide at the drugstore is a

3% solution. You can easily dilute this concentration to 1.5% by mixing equal
parts peroxide and water.

Another way to use hydrogen peroxide is by mixing it with baking soda to

make a toothpaste. Combine 2 teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide with 1
teaspoon of baking soda and gently brush your teeth with the mixture.

Limit the use of this homemade paste to a few times per week, as overuse
can erode your tooth enamel.

You can buy hydrogen peroxide online.

BOTTOM LINE:Hydrogen peroxide is a natural bleaching agent and can kill

bacteria in your mouth. You can use it as a mouthwash or mix it with baking
soda to form a whitening toothpaste.
4. Use Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has been used for centuries as a disinfectant and natural
cleaning product.

Acetic acid, which is the main active ingredient in apple cider vinegar,
effectively kills bacteria. The antibacterial property of vinegar is what makes it
useful for cleaning your mouth and whitening your teeth (20Trusted
Source, 21Trusted Source, 22, 23Trusted Source).

One study performed on cow teeth found that apple cider vinegar does have a
bleaching effect on teeth. However, they also found that vinegar may soften
the teeth (24Trusted Source).

The acetic acid in vinegar has the potential to erode the enamel on your teeth.
For this reason, you should not use apple cider vinegar every day. You should
also limit the amount of time that apple cider vinegar is in contact with your
teeth (25Trusted Source).

To use it as a mouthwash, dilute it with water and swish it around in your

mouth for several minutes. Make sure to rinse your mouth with plain water
afterwards.

Buy apple cider vinegar now.

BOTTOM LINE:Apple cider vinegar has antibacterial properties that may help
whiten your teeth. However, overuse of vinegar can also erode the enamel on
your teeth, so limit its use to a few times per week.

5. Use Fruits and Vegetables

A diet high in fruits and vegetables may be good for both your body and your
teeth.

While they're no substitute for brushing your teeth, crunchy, raw fruits and
vegetables can help rub plaque away as you chew.

In particular, strawberries and pineapple are two fruits that have been claimed
to help whiten your teeth.

Strawberries

Whitening your teeth with a strawberry and baking soda mixture is a natural
remedy that has been made popular by celebrities.

Proponents of this method claim that the malic acid found in strawberries will
remove discoloration on your teeth, while the baking soda will buff away
stains.

However, this remedy has not been completely backed up by science.

While strawberries may help exfoliate your teeth and make them appear
whiter, they are unlikely to penetrate the stains on your teeth.

A recent study found that a strawberry and baking soda mixture produced
very little color change in teeth, compared to commercial whitening products
(26Trusted Source).

If you decide to give this method a try, limit its use to a few times per week.

Despite studies showing that a strawberry and baking soda paste had a
minimal effect on tooth enamel, excessive use could cause damage
(27Trusted Source, 28Trusted Source).
To use this remedy, smash up a fresh strawberry, combine it with baking soda
and brush the mixture on your teeth.

Pineapple

Some claim that pineapple can whiten teeth.

A study found that a toothpaste containing bromelain, an enzyme found in

pineapples, was significantly more effective at removing tooth stains than a
standard toothpaste (29Trusted Source).

However, there is no evidence that eating pineapples produces the same

effect.

BOTTOM LINE:Certain fruits may have properties that help whiten teeth.
Regularly consume raw fruits and vegetables to help rub off plaque and keep
your teeth looking bright.

6. Prevent Tooth Stains Before

They Happen
Your teeth naturally yellow as you age, but there are some things you can do
to prevent stains on your teeth.

Limit Staining Foods and Beverages

Coffee, red wine, soda and dark berries are infamous for staining teeth.

That doesn't mean you have to completely avoid them, but you should limit
the amount of time these substances are in contact with your teeth.
If possible, drink beverages known to stain teeth out of a straw to prevent
direct contact with your teeth.

Moreover, brush your teeth soon after consuming one of these foods or
beverages to limit their effects on the color of your teeth.

Additionally, avoid smoking and chewing tobacco, both of which can cause
tooth discoloration.

Limit Sugar in Your Diet

If you want whiter teeth, cut back on your sugar intake.

A diet high in sugar supports the growth of Streptococcus mutans bacteria, the
primary type of bacteria that causes plaque and gingivitis (30, 31Trusted
Source).

When you do consume a sugary food, brush your teeth soon after you eat.

Get Plenty of Calcium in Your Diet

Some tooth discoloration is caused by enamel eroding away and exposing the
dentin underneath, which is yellow in color. Therefore, anything you do to
strengthen the enamel of your teeth will help keep your teeth pearly white.