Five teeth whitening tips you can hack at home

Before we embark on exploring these simple tricks you can apply at home to whiten your teeth, it is important to understand what really causes tooth discoloration.

Your teeth can become discolored by stains on the surface or by changes inside the tooth. Most of the time people struggle with teeth discoloration which is caused by a variety of factors including drinking coffee, smoking and poor dental hygiene.

So, in the spirit of restoring your confident golden smile, the following tips have proved to be effective.

1. Baking Soda & Lemon

Mix a tablespoon of toothpaste, a pinch of salt, a bit of baking soda, and 4-5 drops of lemon juice in a bowl. Brush your teeth with this mixture for 4-5 minutes. You’ll see the difference after just one use. Use this method every other week.

2. Banana Peel

After you eat the banana, take the inside of the peel and rub it on your teeth and then rinse. Although there have been counter arguments whether it works or not, the best way is to find out yourself. It will not cost you a dime anyway.

3. Chew Gum That Contains Xylitol

Multiple studies have shown that chewing gum that contains xylitol twice daily helps fight tooth decay by lowering plaque buildup. Brands like Trident make gums with this ingredient, so pick up a pack and get chewing if you're looking to whiten your teeth.

4. Use Activated Charcoal

Activated charcoal is one of the easiest and most inexpensive ways to naturally whiten your teeth. Crush up one charcoal tablet into a powder. Dip your clean wet toothbrush into it, and brush your teeth as you normally do.

5. Eat More Foods That Contain Malic Acid

Fruits like apples, pears and strawberries are malic acid rich and can actually help with whitening teeth. Eating more of these foods will help naturally whiten teeth.

Those are just but a few tips that you can hack when it comes to whitening your teeth at home. However, the best way to whiten your teeth naturally, though it may not be the most convenient, is to simply brush your teeth with an appropriate toothpaste after eating or drinking something. As long as you're consistent, you will see vast improvements.