If you are looking for ways to protect your smile, you may be considering over-the-counter whitening products. However, over-the-counter products can sometimes increase dental sensitivity. This can be especially concerning for people who already suffer from sensitive teeth. Still, there are natural tooth-whitening alternatives that can be used to improve the color of your teeth without making teeth even more sensitive. Here are a few of them:

Turmeric

Turmeric, the orange-colored Indian spice that gives curry its characteristic flavor, can also be used as a whitening paste. To use turmeric to whiten your teeth, simply mix the powder with water and apply it to your toothbrush, or you can wet the bristles of your brush and dip them directly into the dry powder. 

Looking at the orange color of the turmeric, you may be hesitant to apply turmeric to your teeth. After all, turmeric is known for its ability to deeply stain clothing and even skin. 

Turmeric can produce produce yellow stains on clothing, counter tops and fingertips. However, turmeric does not stain teeth. Instead, turmeric gently polishes stains from the tooth enamel. In addition, the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric can improve the health of your teeth and soothe sensitive gums.

Olive Oil

Olive oil can also be used to whiten teeth. However, like many other natural oils, olive oil is soothing and does not incite dental sensitivity. The oil, which possesses germ-fighting properties, can be used as a mouth rinse through a process called oil pulling.

Oil pulling uses an edible oil, such as olive oil, to remove yellowing plaque and oral bacteria from the mouth. To use olive oil in this manner, place about a spoonful of the oil in your mouth and swish it around as you would mouthwash. However, instead of immediately spitting it out, keep swishing the oil around until you feel the need to release it. The longer you are able to move the oil about your mouth, the more oral bacteria and plaque will be removed. 

Once you feel the need to spit the olive oil out, release it. It is important not to swallow the oil, since it will have trapped large numbers of oral microbes. After oil pulling, you can rinse your mouth with hydrogen peroxide to kill even more germs and then brush your teeth in your usual manner.

If you are concerned about the color of your teeth, schedule an appointment with a family or cosmetic dentist in your area (like Adams Dental Center) to learn more ways to brighten your teeth.