How To Whiten Your Teeth (While Staying Green)

Chemical teeth whiteners can often hurt the environment and/or animals because of the chemical's hydrogen peroxide content (which was proposed to become a regulated substance due to its potential harmful effects on aquatic life). However, there are ways to get a whiter smile without making the earth pay the price; if you're looking for natural techniques for teeth whitening, then here are a few methods to try.

Method #1: Lemons and Baking Soda

If you love sour treats, this might be the tooth whitening solution for you. Mix together 1 part lemon juice (freshly squeezed is best) and 2 parts baking soda into a thick paste. Then, spread the paste on your toothbrush and starting brushing. After two minutes, rinse well with water. Repeat over the span of at least 2 weeks for best results, being careful not to keep the paste on for longer than two minutes (due to its acidity).

Method #2: Oil Pulling

This is an ancient technique, and has only become more and more popular as time has gone on. It's also extremely inexpensive, and easy to do. Take about a tablespoon of natural, organic oil (sunflower and sesame tend to be the best) and swish it around in your mouth for about 15 to 20 minutes. Make sure to move the oil around constantly and carefully so that it reaches every nook and cranny of your teeth.

After you're done swishing the oil around, rinse your mouth out thoroughly and drink some clean water. You'll want to do this at least a half an hour before brushing -- it's most effective if you do it right after you get up in the morning.

Method #3: Strawberries and Salt

A spoonful of sugar may help the medicine go down, but a spoonful of salt added to mashed strawberries will keep your teeth looking white and clean. Mash up about 3 strawberries (medium to large in size) and stir in a large pinch of salt (sea salt is best; kosher salt is good as well). Once the ingredients are combined, spread the paste onto your teeth using either your finger or a toothbrush, taking care to coat each tooth.

Leave the mixture on your teeth for about 5 minutes, then rinse well, making sure to get all of the pesky seeds off. If you do this every night before brushing with toothpaste, you should see whiter teeth in about two weeks.

Be sure to talk to your dentist for more green tips.