Natural ways to whiten your teeth

Our teeth make a fashion statement. The mouth is the first thing someone looks at when you smile. Imagine if your teeth are off-white. Discoloured teeth are not just a matter of dental hygiene, they are an embarrassment, as Brenda Aketcho recently found out.
“Every night, I tell my six-year-old daughter to brush her teeth before she sleeps, cautioning her that if she does not brush, her teeth will become yellow and ugly. Recently though, she told me her teeth were very white, and when I smiled at her, she exclaimed, ‘Mummy, your teeth are yellow!’”
Since then, unconsciously, Aketcho covers her mouth whenever she is laughing out loud. “I want to whiten my teeth but I cannot afford to make a dentist’s appointment for the accompanying treatments.”
If like Aketcho you are in great need of whitening your teeth – at least by a shade or two – and yet you do not have the money to pay for a high-end dentist’s cosmetic clean, do not despair.
There are tried and tested homemade remedies that can be of help if used properly.

Turmeric (Ekinzaali)
Angella Bukenya stumbled on this remedy as she was making a salad for a friend. “As I was shopping in the market for ingredients, I decided to buy it. As I was grating it, I chewed on it. My teeth turned yellow immediately but when I brushed them, I realized they had become whiter. The remedy is almost instant.”

Turmeric belongs to the ginger family and is used in cooking a variety of dishes as a seasoning and colouring agent. Besides its culinary purposes, turmeric has been used for many centuries in Asia and China for its medicinal purposes.

Baking powder
There was a time when every home had a packet of baking powder. Well, that was before it became common to have chapatti and mandazi stands all over the trading centres. However, baking soda can remove surface stains off your teeth, as Rachel Wonekha says.
“Once a week, I mix half a spoon of baking powder with water to make a thick paste. I scoop the paste onto my toothbrush and brush my teeth for about two to three minutes. Afterwards, I rinse my mouth with clean water.”
Because baking soda is quite strong as an abrasive, brush with care so that you do not damage the enamel of your teeth. That is why it is advisable only to brush with the paste once a week, and to stop once you see the results.

Coconut oil
Coconut oil has been known for a myriad of health benefits, both for the skin and hair. However, it can also cleanse the teeth. “Swish a table spoon of coconut oil in your mouth for about 20 minutes,’ Carol Atwine who has used the remedy for three years now, advises, adding, “This should be done in the morning, immediately after you wake up and before you brush your teeth. Within a week, you will see the results when you smile.”
Coconut oil sucks the bacteria and toxins out of your mouth by removing the biofilm (plaque) on the teeth. It contains lauric acid that provides both anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Coconut oil also helps to keep your breath fresh-smelling. A small bottle of the oil costs Shs10,000.

Preventing yellow teeth
If your teeth are still white, you can prevent them from yellowing by keeping them clean. Brush daily – if possible, after every meal using a soft-bristled toothbrush.
If you cannot brush after every meal, make it a point to floss your teeth because plaque accumulates between the teeth.
Tips
• Stop smoking.
• Limit your intake of beverages, especially soda, coffee, and tea. In this list, include red and white wine and tomato sauce.
• If you must take a beverage use a straw so that it does not stain your teeth.
• Rinse out your mouth with water after taking a beverage.