How To Whiten Your Teeth Naturally!

HOW TO WHITEN YOUR TEETH NATURALLY!!

One of the many questions I am asked is "How do you keep your teeth so white?"   Smoking, drinking coffee and alcohol, eating sugar, and many other factors tend to wreak havoc on your teeth.  Although my teeth should be noticeably yellow from my past, I have found a few tricks that have helped me keep my pearly whites.  I'm not suggesting that it's ok for you to smoke or eat a ton a sugar just because you can keep your teeth white...obviously those factors also wreak havoc on the rest of your system (I'll be explaining more about that in another blog about "leaky gut" and your immune system), but I will give you some tips and tricks and a weekly maintenence chart that may help.

Our teeth are composed of calcium, phosphorus and other minerals, but mostly consist of a calcified tissue called dentin which is covered in enamel and make teeth the hardest part of the human body.  Dentin is a yellowish tissue, harder than bone but softer than enamel.  Due to dentin's yellow color, this explains why your teeth appear yellow when enamel begins to erode.  Tooth enamel protects the teeth and does not have regenerative properties, so taking care of the enamel is extremely important.  Diet is also important and avoiding sugar and acid that can destroy enamel can be beneficial.  Soda, citrus, sports/energy drinks, coffee, sugar (specifically candy) and vinegar are all products that can easily destroy your enamel.  Eating/drinking these foods in moderation as well as with foods that don't contain a lot of acid can help to neutralize the effects.

Daily maintenance of teeth is also extremely important.  Make sure your teeth are clear of enamel-destroying bacteria, sugar, and food between the teeth that can contribute to rot and decay.  My weekly maintenance is pretty simple and has become second nature to me.  Product choices are essential due to the sometimes harmful and toxic chemicals in store bought brands that many consider "safe".   Ingredients to watch out for include titanium dioxide, FD&C blue dye # 1 & 2, sodium lauryl sulfate, and sodium fluoride.  Some products labeled "natural" have even shown to contain these ingredients in them so be sure you are checking the labels.

Personally, I brush at least three times a day with a toxic-free fluoride-free toothpaste, and floss before bed and when needed.  I found a favorite toothpaste (Redmond Earthpaste with peppermint) after doing some extensive research, and I also make my own toothpaste once or twice a week from aluminum-free baking soda and organic coconut oil (basically just mix the two equally to make a paste and brush).  A few drops of peppermint oil can also be added to the baking soda/coconut oil mixture.  Peppermint oil has antiseptic properties and is wonderful for dental hygiene as it helps fight off germs and kills bad breath.  I generally avoid peppermint and wintergreen due to its toxic effects in young children and will use Spearmint oil instead for use in children over the age of 2.  Cocomut Oil is perfect for teeth and helps destroy bacteria that causes tooth decay; it is antibacterial, antifungal and antimicrobial.  For these reasons, I started what's known as "oil pulling" in which you swish around a tablespoon of coconut oil in your mouth for 15-20 minutes; the harmful bacteria get stuck and dissolve in the oil.  This really works and I prefer to do it while in the shower for timing purposes.  And last but not least, one of my most messy yet favorite products...Natural Tooth & Gum Powder with Activated Charcoal.  I use this product two or three times a week after brushing.  It literally makes your teeth black while brushing and can be pretty messy in the sink but it washes off easily (at least in my sink) and really makes your teeth WHITE!  Love it!

I feel that no matter what regimen you use for your hair, skin, teeth, etc, you should switch it up once in a while.  This gives your body other options that may be more beneficial or additionally beneficial to your current regimen.  Think about if you ate the same exact thing every single day; you may not be getting the required nutrition that your body needs.  It seems like a lot of work, but it really isn't when it comes down to it, and you can always start off with one or two of them and work your way up!

So to recap:

• Brush 3 times per day with fluoride-free toothpaste and floss at least once a day.
• Once or twice a week brush with baking soda and coconut oil (mixed equally).  You can also add a few drops of peppermint oil if desired.  This mixture can be saved in small container for future use as well.
• Once or twice a week before bedtime or while in the shower, swish with 1 tablespoon coconut oil for 15-20 minutes and spit out in garbage or toilet, as it can clog sink drains.
• Two or three times a week brush with activated charcoal.

**Product list**

Redmond Earthpaste

Dental Floss
Aluminum-Free Baking Soda
Organic Coconut Oil
Peppermint Oil or Spearmint Oil
Natural Tooth & Gum Powder with Activated Charcoal

A weekly chart may look like this:

Good luck and keep me updated 

on your teeth-whitening progress!!!

This article is for informational purposes only.  It is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent disease.  This article has not been reviewed by the FDA.  Always consult with your primary care physician or naturopathic doctor before making any significant changes to your health and wellness routine.

Warning:  Do not use of you have an allergy to any of the ingredients or to the botanical family of any of the ingredients