5 DIY Teeth Whitening Recipes That Really Work

I’ve been on a turmeric kick lately, and that now extends to my dental care routine! In addition to fighting inflammation in your body, turmeric also helps whiten your teeth. To do it, dip your wet toothbrush in 1/8 teaspoon of organic turmeric powder and brush it onto your teeth. Wait about five minutes before rinsing, then follow with a second brushing with regular toothpaste.

It sounds weird, but when rubbed on your teeth, the minerals in a banana peel are absorbed into your tooth enamel and help to lift out stains! Floss, then brush with toothpaste as you normally would, then wash and peel a fresh banana. Cut a mouth-sized piece of the peel and rub it on your teeth for two minutes. Rinse with water.

I’ve heard great things about oil and teeth whitening, so I tried coconut oil paste for myself and it worked amazingly well! Heat a cup of coconut oil until it turns to liquid, then mix in two teaspoons of baking soda and a few drops of spearmint essential oil. Wait for the mixture to cool, then brush a dollop onto your teeth as you would regular toothpaste and rinse.

Despite their red color, strawberries contain malic acid, which help to whiten teeth. Mash up a couple strawberries in a bowl, add a teaspoon of baking soda, and apply the mixture to your teeth with a kids’ toothbrush, which will help it get in between your teeth. Leave the mixture on your teeth for five minutes, then rinse and floss out the seeds. Note: Malic acid can erode your teeth over time, so you only want to do this every few months.

You’ve probably tried a baking soda and peroxide toothpaste from the drugstore at some point, but in case you’ve never made it on your own, it’s super easy, and a great DIY whitener! In a small bowl, add a few drops of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide to a spoonful of plain baking soda. Mix until it forms a paste. Brush onto your teeth as you would regular toothpaste, and rinse.