What Works? What Doesn't?<br /><br /><br />You think your smile could use a pick-me-up, but you don't want to invest the time or money for in-office treatments. You're not sold on drugstore gels or strips either.<br />Some natural, at-home remedies are safe and can whiten your teeth. Find out what your best bets are, and which to not bother with.<br /><br /><br /><br />Good oral hygiene is a tried-and-true method for keeping your smile looking its best. Toothpastes gently buff out stains from the surface of your teeth. Whitening toothpastes work the same way with more ingredients; they don't bleach your teeth. Flossing gets rid of food and bacteria that could harden into plaque, which makes your teeth look dull and darker.<br /><br /><br /><br />This technique is popular in Ayurvedic medicine. You swish a tablespoon of oil (such as sesame, coconut, or olive oil) around in your mouth for up to 20 minutes to "pull out" bacteria. A recent study found that using coconut oil could prevent tooth decay, but there's no science to support it leaving a sparkle.<br /><br /><br />Besides helping batter rise, it's also a mild abrasive that scrubs away stains. You could try using a DIY paste of baking soda, but you'll probably get better results by switching to a toothpaste with sodium bicarbonate. Studies show brushing with products that have baking soda will work on surface stains over time.<br /><br />Apples, Pineapples, Strawberries<br />Apples, Pineapples, Strawberries<br />5/9<br />Malic acid in apples boosts saliva to wash away acids. Toothpastes with bromelain, a compound in pineapple, help whiten teeth. But there's no evidence that eating these fruits will make your grin gleam. Skip the strawberries, too. A study in Operative Dentistry found that brushing with a mixture of them and baking soda had no whitening effects. Even worse, the citric acid in strawberries can break down enamel, the outer shell of your tooth.<br /><br /><br />It's the bleaching agent found in most home whitening kits. It actually changes a tooth's color. One study found that painting an over-the-counter gel with 6% hydrogen peroxide on teeth made a noticeable difference after 2 weeks. The inexpensive bottles of liquid you can buy in a drugstore usually have a lower percentage. And the American Dental Association says swishing will probably irritate your gums before it whitens your teeth.<br /><br />Apple Cider Vinegar<br />Apple Cider Vinegar<br />7/9<br />Gargle before you brush to help kill bacteria and remove stains, they say. You'll get a whiter smile, they say.<br />Sorry, no studies confirm these claims. While it can brighten the taste of your salad dressing, don't expect apple cider vinegar to brighten your teeth.<br /><br /><br />The warm, bitter spice that's known for flavoring curry is also a natural dye that can turn white fabric a bright gold. Supposedly, turmeric paste can turn dingy teeth back to pearly white. Hold the mustard, though. There's no solid research to
