Healthy-looking white teeth are a person’s best accessory – having great teeth is a must if you want to look healthy and radiant. Unfortunately, lots of things you do every day can affect the whiteness of your teeth – smoking, drinking coffee or tea and eating a lot of processed food, to name just a few. Since those are all habits that are hard to kick, you’ll be glad to hear that there are several ways you can make your teeth whiter without expensive treatments, and at the comfort of your own home.

Rinse them with coconut oil

It might be hard to believe, but coconut oil has antimicrobial properties and can help protect your teeth and gums as well as clean them. This is because coconut oil contains a fatty acid, called lauric acid that kills pathogens like bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Making a coconut oil rinse or pulling is quite simple – you just need a tablespoon of oil. Put it in your mouth and let it soften. Do this in the morning, before brushing your teeth – simply push and swish the pulling around your mouth and let it do its magic.

Bleach them with apple cider vinegar

You’ve probably seen a lot of store-bought, or homemade cleaning products based on vinegar, but did you know you can use it for your teeth as well? Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid, probiotics, and enzymes that kill germs effectively while its acidic pH level breaks down plaque and removes stains from your teeth. You should be careful, though – as it is with any acid, if you use it too often you can damage your enamel. Therefore, use it once or twice a day, before brushing. Simply dip your finger in it and rub it all over your teeth.

Absorb plaque with activated charcoal

Activated charcoal is a form of carbon, processed to have small pores that increase the surface area available for absorption. As Australian Dental Specialists claim, food items that are high in sugar are more likely to predispose your teeth to dental cavities. You should remove all food particles and bacteria from your teeth if you want to protect them from decay. The easiest way to do so is to dip your toothbrush in activated charcoal and brush your teeth with it several times a week. Activated charcoal absorbs plaque and microscopic particles that cause staining which helps your teeth stay white.

Break down plaque with berries

Strawberries and other berries are known for their antioxidative properties that can benefit your teeth and help them stay white. They’re also packed with vitamin C that breaks down plaque while malic acid helps remove surface stains. You can make your own mixture by mashing two to three strawberries into a pulp, adding a pinch of sea salt and, optionally, one tablespoon of baking soda. The salt helps the paste become an abrasive structure, while baking soda is there to enhance plaque removal. Remove any excess saliva with a paper towel, spread the mixture all over your teeth and let it sit for 5 minutes. Then rinse and wait to see the results.

Clean them with lemon

Lemon juice and peels can be great for whitening your teeth, especially if you mix it with baking soda and make a wonderful, all-natural toothpaste. Just like vinegar, lemon is naturally acidic and it helps clean your teeth and makes them whiter. Make a paste by using several teaspoons of baking soda and enough lemon juice to form a paste. Dry out your teeth and apply the paste with a toothbrush. Don’t let it sit for longer than 1 minute – acidity of the lemon might damage the enamel. That’s why rinsing afterwards is a must!

When it comes to naturally whitening your teeth, the most important thing is to be patient and realistic. You won’t get the results immediately nor will your teeth look any different. However, they will become whiter but, what’s even more important – they’ll get healthier and your smile will become your greatest weapon.