The best home remedy for sparkling white teeth and that beautiful smile

Besides the confident glow emanating from within due to a bright, white smile, professional teeth whitening treatments can be quite expensive and often involve potential side effects. Well, thank your stars there is a cheaper, natural alternative for that sparkling smile, right in your home. Let's take a look at one of the easiest and most effectual home remedies using baking soda and hydrogen peroxide.

Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide are a dynamic duo

Baking soda: The gentle polisher
The everyday sodium bicarbonate, or good old baking soda, has a raft of surprising uses. In dental care, it is valued for its mild abrasive quality. That means it scrubbed away surface stains from coffee, tea, or even the odd glass of red wine without being too harsh. It's just that little extra help in your fight against discoloration, polishing your teeth to a brighter finish like never before.

Hydrogen peroxide naturally whitens
Hydrogen peroxide is generally used as a common household disinfectant, but it has also been used as a natural whitener for teeth. Its oxygen-releasing properties break down compounds that cause staining, therefore making hydrogen peroxide pretty effective in whitening discolored teeth. Applied to the teeth, it can help lighten these stains and brighten up your smile.

Using baking soda and hydrogen peroxide whitening

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon of regular baking soda
2 tablespoons hydrogen peroxide-3% solution
A small mixing bowl
A toothbrush

Instructions
Mix it up
To begin with, combine a tablespoon of baking soda in a small bowl with two tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide. You are working your way up to attaining a thick, paste-like consistency. If you feel that the paste is too runny, simply add a little bit more baking soda until you get the consistency you wish.

Brush off enamel
Dip your toothbrush into the paste and gently brush your teeth in small, circular motions. Don't press too hard; remember, baking soda is abrasive, so you don't want to ruin your enamel. Just a mere touch will do it.

Rinse and shine
After two minutes of brushing, spit out and rinse your mouth with plenty of water. This would take out any of the remaining paste that could still be in your mouth. And don't forget to clean your toothbrush.

Frequency matters
This remedy should not be done more than about 2-3 times a week. Overdoing it may erode the enamel or cause gum irritation, so this treatment is best used in moderation.


Additional tips
Do not regularly brush and floss
While baking soda and hydrogen peroxide help in whitening, daily brushing and flossing is very important. Brush your teeth twice a day using fluoride toothpaste and floss once a day to prevent plaque buildup and new stains.

Do watch what you eat and drink
Coffee, tea, red wine, berries-all can cause staining. If you do use them, try rinsing your mouth with water or brushing your teeth soon after.

Hydrate
Drink plenty of water throughout the day. This is going to help rinse out all food particles and bacteria causing stains. The water will also contribute to good oral health overall.

Eat healthy now
Crunchy fruits and veggies, like apples and carrots, do a natural cleaning of your teeth. They are very good for health and will help your smile look fresh.

Go for regular dental checkups
Not avoiding the dentist visits. Regular cleaning and checkup will keep your teeth in great shape and let you continue sporting that healthy and brilliant smile.