Teeth can become stained for a number of reasons. As a person ages, the tooth enamel may become thinner. After all, it has been exposed to years of acid and abrasive foods. In addition, the food that a person ingests often contains dark-staining pigments. Foods, such as berries and tomato sauce, are known to stain clothes, but they stain teeth as well. Beverages, such as tea and coffee, can also deposit brown pigment into the pores of the teeth. Tobacco is also known to stain teeth.

If your teeth are stained or discolored there are homemade whitening treatments available to improve their whiteness. Here are a few:

Baking Soda

Baking soda is mildly abrasive, so it can be used to help polish discoloration from the tooth enamel. In addition, baking soda is alkaline, which helps it neutralize enamel-damaging acid in the mouth.

To use baking soda as a whitening product, apply a bit of powder to the bristles of your toothbrush and brush in your usual manner.

As you brush, the abrasive power will help polish away dental discoloration. If you find the taste of baking soda too salty, just sprinkle a bit of the powder on your toothpaste after it is applied to your brush. The flavor of your toothpaste will help lessen the intense saltiness of the baking soda.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is available over the counter in a three percent concentration. The liquid releases oxygen when applied to the mouth. The tiny bubbles help remove stains. In addition, they help kill oral bacteria that can contribute to the development of teeth-yellowing plaque.

To use hydrogen peroxide as a whitening mouth rinse, simply mix one part hydrogen peroxide solution to one part water and swish it about the mouth in the same manner that you would conventional mouthwash.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is a natural oil that has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. The oil, which is a solid at room temperature, can be applied to the toothbrush just as normal toothpaste would be. As you brush with coconut oil, the oil helps dislodge oil-based stains from the surface of the tooth. In addition oral bacteria are killed and irritated soft tissues of the mouth are soothed

To learn more ways to whiten your teeth, contact a cosmetic dentist in your area today. He or she can advise of natural whitening solutions as suggest professional whitening treatments to improve the look of your teeth.