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Teeth whitening is a multi-billion dollar industry, but unfortunately many teeth whitening treatments contain harsh chemicals that can leave teeth feeling sensitive for a long time. I had sensitive teeth for years after my high school attempts at teeth whitening (at home and at the dentist office).
Once I became pregnant with our first child, I was careful to avoid all chemicals, including those normally used to whiten teeth. I wanted to find natural ways to whiten my teeth that not only worked well, but were also safe. Since chemicals can easily absorb through the sensitive skin in the mouth, I wanted to only use options that were safe enough to eat.
Of course, none of these things are a replacement for normal dental care and I asked my dentist before using these (you should too!). I’ve found that these methods work great along side my normal brushing and flossing routine.
1. Charcoal
My first and favorite teeth whitening remedy is also the most controversial: Activated Charcoal.
This was recommended to me by a holistic dentist years ago and though I was skeptical at first, I gave it a try and have been impressed with the results over time.
Yes, it looks terrifying while you are doing it and you will absolutely think for a minute that you were duped by a blogger into permanently staining your teeth. Then, you’ll rinse your mouth and brush as usual and notice that your teeth are not only white again, but possibly whiter.
This works because activated charcoal is a highly absorbent porous substance that binds to things like tannins that stain teeth and leave them yellow or brown. It might also have other benefits for the mouth as well:
Further research I’ve done on this showed that activated charcoal can actually be helpful in changing the pH and health of the mouth, and as such is effective in avoiding cavities and killing the bad bacteria present in tooth decay and gingivitis. For this reason, I now suggest and use it as part of my remineralizing protocol for teeth, along with my remineralizing toothpaste.
When I first wrote about this in 2012, it was controversial and I actually got hate mail (really) for trying to convince people to do something that was obviously going to stain their teeth. These days, I see pictures of it floating around Pinterest, so it seems to have gained a little acceptance.
Some important things I’ve discovered over the years:
- Keep a microfiber cloth on hand to make cleanup easy as it can make a mess on counters and sinks (though it will come out of them as well)
- I simply dip my toothbrush into some powdered charcoal that I keep in a small jar on my counter and brush as normal. Another way that will produce results more quickly is to mix a teaspoon of charcoal powder into some water and swish with it for a few minutes. Then, spit the water and leave the remaining charcoal in the mouth for a few minutes so that it has time to bind to stains.
- It is super important to use activated charcoal from a food/medical grade source. This is not the same as charcoal from your BBQ grill…do not use that.
- I did this every day for a week when I started and now maintain by using it once a week or so.
- I felt comfortable brushing with charcoal during pregnancy since oral health is even more important then, and it is spit out and not consumed. I checked with my midwife first (and you should too if pregnant).
Full tutorial and video are here. Now I just use my Wellnesse Charcoal Toothpaste!
p.s. If you want to take it up a notch, I’ve since discovered this teeth whitening system that uses activated charcoal and LED light for maximum whitening and love the results. It’s also less messy than the above… bonus!
2. Oil Pulling
Another oddly controversial teeth whitener: oil pulling.
The basic concept here is swishing oil (like sesame or coconut) in the mouth for 20 minutes to help remove plaque and bacteria from the mouth. Coconut oil has been proven effective against the streptococcus mutans bacteria that contributes to cavities and gum disease.
Since beginning oil pulling on a regular basis, I’ve noticed that my teeth are smooth and shiny and the dental assistants have commented that I had very little plaque at recent cleanings.
What to do: Swish with a small amount of coconut oil for 20 minutes a day, preferably first thing in the morning before eating. I make single use size coconut oil pulling chews to make this even easier and do this while showering.
Here is the oil pulling tutorial and this post specifically addresses using coconut oil.
3. Whitening Toothpaste
Last year, I combined a few of my favorite teeth whitening ingredients to make a homemade whitening toothpaste. It only contains:
- Pure Calcium Carbonate Powder
- Non-GMO Xylitol Powder
- MCT oil (I’ve also used this less expensive one with good results) or coconut oil
This combines natural calcium (a mineral that teeth need) with Xylitol, which is helpful for oral health, and MCT or coconut oil for a remineralizing, bacteria fighting whitening toothpaste.
4. Turmeric
Another counter-intuitive remedy that actually works. Turmeric is known for staining things yellow (including cloth, skin and other surfaces) and it has even been used as a dye for cloth in the past. It isn’t the first thing you’d think of for whitening teeth, but it works surprisingly well.
Mommypotamus explains why and provides a tutorial here.
This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Steven Lin, who is a Board accredited dentist trained at the University of Sydney. With a background in biomedical science, he is a passionate whole-health advocate, focusing on the link between nutrition and dental health. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor or dentist.
Ever whitened your teeth? Naturally or not so much? Did it work?
I have a major problem with Xylitol, it’s toxic to animals. I heard it is to humans as well, due to how it’s processed? Not sure about humans, but for sure it is to animals. I don’t allow it in my house. I don’t buy anything with it in it.
There is a teeth cleaner for animals on the market by Virbac. I kept asking my one vets office how come they had this product with xylitol on the shelf. They said a little would be fine. WRONG! After my second visit and seeing it still there, I mentioned it again. They said they would look into it. MY third visit it was gone. This vet office has many new student vets under the main vet and they should KNOW BETTER. Please look further into this for humans, and do put warnings about it harming animals in your blogs, if you haven’t already. Thanks.
Yes, xylitol is toxic to animals but not humans. In fact it is know to reverse cavities in humans.
I did some research into Xylitol and it can be made from many different ingredients. I don’t believe it can help fight cavities, specially if it’s made from corn. I think in time the truth will come out.
Xylitol from birch is the best. Shelly, the role of xylitol in reversing tooth decay is that it helps correct the ph in your mouth. This is most important for anyone who has any metal fillings, retainers or other dental work. I’ve healed a cavity naturally by using xylitol as a part of my oral health routine. It is not a cure all, and xylitol from corn is not the same as xylitol from birch bark. With any metal work in your mouth, you are almost ensuring you will need more dental work, unless you work very hard to keep the ph of your mouth correct.
Hi Katie,
Charcoal sure does work wonders.. I scoop a little amount with my finger and use it to scrub(lol) my teeth and its done wonders..
Also I would like to say that I’ve been on a diet and exercise with my sister for about two months now and while she’s gone from a size 18 to 16,I’ve been stuck on same size.. What am I doing wrong? I do have a hormonal imbalance issue while she doesn’t.. Is there anything I can do to correct it with regards to Weightloss.
Thanks and God bless
Stay away or limit orange foods like ravioli, and include raw onion in your diet, raw onion bleaches teeth Also, here is a RECIPE: 1/4 cup salt, 3/4 cup baking soda (and onion juice to make into a paste for bleaching) tooth powder or bleaching tooth paste. (I use just the tooth power no onion juice)
I have deep sockets and my dentist told me every 3 months I need to rinse with peroxide to get food out so my gums wouldn’t hurt. I started doing this and at my next visit my dentist asked me what I was using to whiten my teeth and I told her nothing because I didn’t think I was. After my next 6 month visit I told her what I was doing as far as using the peroxide as she told me to and she said thats why your teeth are so white. So Proxide whiten your teeth.
I do turmeric and oil pulling for a little more than a week now and haven’t noticed any change. But I keep going, maybe I try charcoal too.
I love your posts and enjoy reading them every time. I have learned a lot since I’ve discovered your blog and learned a lot. Just wanted to say thank you!
And I have a wish. Maybe it is possible, that you write about energy?How to get more, what you can do to keep it high. Although I eat clean and healthy my energy is very low and nothing really seems to help. I try to get out every day, but can’t make ist . I have ‘only’ one child and it is hard for me to get through the days and wonder how you manage everything so well. Maybe you have some ideas. Would be very much appreciated. Thx.
I have a few friends that have these symptoms. They have a thyroid deficiency, you should get yours checked out.
Something that I’ve been using that really helps give me that alert, natural energy is maca powder. It’s a root powder that has been used forever. You can buy just the powder (it sort of tastes like butterscotch, but it’s not sweet) or buy it in capsules. The capsules are easier, but if you can regularly drink the powder, it seems a bit more effective.
My favorite drink is hot milk, a tablespoon or so of maca powder, and pure maple syrup to sweeten to taste. I’ve also made hot chocolate with it using coco powder and honey. It is not very easy to mix, so I keep mixing as I drink, but I think it tastes pretty good.
Good luck!
Katie, first I have to thank you for imparting your wisdom and knowledge which is turning me more and more towards healthier living for myself and my pups. (bone broth, coconut oil for everything!, lip balm, deodorant, moisture bar, toilet fizzies; I know there’s more.)
This is the first I’ve heard of tumeric whitening teeth, but am not surprised. I recently got some organic rhizomes and am trying to grow, as well as drying to powder. Now I have another use. This is going to sound totally gross, but I am chewing a small piece for a couple of minutes before using your remineralizing tooth paste, (which is fantastic for whitening!) My toothbrush does not keep the yellow stain after using.
So, along with occasional oil pulling, and activated charcoal, I now have another weapon in my teeth whitening arsonal.
Thank you!
Thanks to Wellness Mama I’ve added both charcoal and oil pulling to my routine. Both do a great job of cleaning and whitening my teeth. After soaking my teeth in charcoal for 5 minutes, I spit but do not rinse. Then I pop coconut oil in my mouth and swish for 20 minutes. This way I’m oil pulling with an oil/charcoal mix which has extra cleaning and whitening power. As a bonus the oil does a fantastic job of cleaning the black off my teeth.
Hi, I have some porcelain teeth in my mouth due to a hereditary teeth patterning problem. Am I safe to use tumeric or charcoal or will it stain the porcelains?
Thank you for your help and for all your posts – life changing stuff 🙂
It shouldn’t…
I have the same question. I have veneers. I currently make my own coconut oil toothpaste. I use to have bleeding and tender gums but after switching to homemade coconut oil toothpaste, I no longer have those problems. However, I would be quite reluctant to use charcoal or turmeric for fear of staining my veneers.
I don’t have any firsthand experience with this, but neither one is supposed to stain. I’d check with a dentist though to be sure.
Vicky / Lisa. I am coming in a little late here but you should not experience any staining on veneers assuming they are porcelain. This is a glass like material and does not have the porous finish of tooth enamel (which also does not stain). I totally understand your reluctance though. Charcoal (activated only) can still absorb any form of discolouration and other bio-film from veneers.
A suggestion.. mix a small amount of activated charcoal or turmeric if you are more daring into your home made toothpaste and build up the ratio as you see that the charcoal or turmeric is cleaning not staining.
I personally have issue with any abrasive materials such as baking soda on teeth and certainly would not want to mix any abrasive materials with ingredients like charcoal and turmeric. This is a personal thing.
I find that I need to do a very thorough flossing or waterpik-ing after using charcoal to brush, but the whitening and cleaning power of the charcoal is undeniable.
Immediately after spitting out the charcoal (no need to rinse), try swishing with coconut oil for a few minutes. The oil makes clean up much easier. After “post-charcoal oil pulling” I just need a quick rinse and brush to remove all the black.
I started using turmeric this year and I think it works reasonably well, but after the first use I designated that toothbrush to be the turmeric brush ever after! The brush was definitely stained and next few times I tried to use it for normal brushing, it still had the tell tell signs of turmeric in it.