Teeth staining is a common complaint among adults. Yellow, stained, or discolored teeth often result from eating specific foods that are highly acidic or filled with sugar. Certain lifestyle habits and health conditions can also cause teeth discoloration. But the good news is that you can use several teeth whitening home remedies to eliminate superficial stains and restore your teeth’s shine. These remedies are effortless and will not burn a hole in your wallet.

Oil pulling
This is one of the simplest teeth whitening remedies you can try at home. All you need is some coconut, sunflower, or sesame oil. The process involves rinsing the mouth with the oil and spitting it out. Do this after brushing your teeth. Oil pulling is known to remove debris, dirt, and bacteria from the teeth and eliminate stains over time.

Activated charcoal
Activated charcoal is believed to have properties that can remove plaque from the teeth, which is often a major cause of teeth discoloration. But be careful while using charcoal on your teeth, as it is highly abrasive. Take some finely powdered charcoal, add a little bit of water to it, and use a brush to apply the mixture to your teeth gently.

Baking soda and lemon juice
The alkaline properties of baking soda have been observed to help remove mild teeth stains. When combined with the acidity of lemon, the mixture can work quite well in whitening the teeth. Mix a little baking soda with a few drops of lemon juice and water to make a paste. Rub the paste on your teeth gently for a couple of minutes and rinse well.

Citrus fruit peels
Citrus fruits like oranges and lemons are loaded with citric acid, which works like bleaching. It can help remove stains and discoloration, leading to whiter teeth. Just take a peel of these fruits and rub it against your teeth. Besides providing whiter teeth, using citrus fruits can help remove harmful oral bacteria and microbes.

Strawberry and baking soda
Rich in vitamin C, strawberries are popular not only as toppings for desserts but also as a teeth whitening home remedy. An enzyme in this fruit destroys plaque bacteria known to discolor the teeth. Rubbing a mixture of mashed strawberries, baking soda, and salt on the teeth can work quite well in removing teeth discoloration caused by plaque over time.

Apple cider vinegar
Everyone is familiar with apple cider vinegar. This common household product is quite popular as a mouthwash to remedy teeth discoloration. Adding a couple of drops of this vinegar to a cup of water and rinsing your mouth with the solution can help break down plaque or debris stuck in the teeth, thus helping whiten them.

High-fiber foods
Chewing on fiber-rich foods has been known to prevent plaque buildup on the teeth, one of the biggest reasons for discoloration. Raw fruits and veggies and specific beans and legumes have rich fiber reserves. Besides preventing plaque buildup, they help neutralize the acid in the mouth, further preventing the teeth from staining.

Sometimes individuals might suffer from periodontal disease, a condition where, in the early stage (gingivitis), causes the gums to swell and turn red, and result in bleeding. In its severe stage (periodontitis), gums may pull away from teeth, and bone matter could degrade, resulting in teeth turning loose and sometimes falling out. Prevention and treatments for this condition include brushing and flossing daily. One could use remineralizing toothpaste that contains active ingredients that could strengthen teeth and prevent white spot lesions from developing. The formula may also prevent acid-producing bacteria from forming and sticking to teeth. If an individual is considering braces to align their teeth, they must first seek an expert’s opinion who will assess if the structures in their mouth are healthy to support the dental tool.