A smile is used for expressing your emotions. But if your teeth are stained, yellow or discolored, it may make you self-conscious in front of others when flashing your grin to the world. Below are some natural, at-home teeth whitening products tips and tricks to naturally whiten your teeth: 

• Making dietary changes: A prevention is worth more than a cure therefore eliminating foods to prevent the teeth from further staining. Foods and beverages that contain tannins are known offenders, such as red wine and tea, coffee, soda, dark berries and juices can also stain them. Excessive consumption of acidic foods may make the teeth yellow by wearing down the enamel however, but you don’t have to give up on them. You can enjoy these in moderation, rinse with water right after having them, so there’s less chance that they’ll affect your teeth and brush your teeth after 30 minutes to protect the enamel. Smoking or chewing tobacco products can also cause the stains as well as damaging the enamel and causing oral health issues which is another reason to quit doing it.
• Trying oil pulling: Oil pulling is the technique that is also meant to improve your overall oral health and hygiene done by washing the mouth with oil to remove dirt, debris and bacteria. Oils suitable for oil pulling sunflower oil, coconut oil and sesame oil are mostly used. Coconut oil is also a popular option as it could prevent tooth decay, tastes delightful and offers other health benefits as well, but there’s no science to support that it leaves a whitening. You put a tablespoon of any oil, sesame, coconut, or sunflower around in your mouth for up to 20 minutes to remove bacteria.
• Brushing with baking soda: Baking soda can gently remove stains on the surface of the teeth and may also help to fight bacteria, reduce plaque and prevent tooth decay. You can also try using DIY baking soda paste, but some people might worry that baking soda might be too harsh and may grind away enamel, but studies show it to be a safe way to remove surface stains over time.
• Using hydrogen peroxide: Hydrogen peroxide is a mild bleaching agent that can help whiten teeth found in most teeth whitening kits, but it may not be suitable for long run for people having sensitive teeth as it may increase tooth sensitivity. You can try brushing with a mix of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide for 1–2 minutes twice a day and make a noticeable difference after 2 weeks for optimal whitening, but it should only be done occasionally.
• Eat fruits and vegetables: A diet high in fruits and vegetables is known to eliminate plaque and is great for your overall health and teeth. Crunchy, raw fruits and vegetables can help rub off the plaque away while you chew them. However, they are no substitute for brushing your teeth. Strawberries and pineapple are two fruits that have been known to whiten your teeth.
• Brush and floss your teeth regularly: Brushing your teeth regularly and flossing can help your teeth remain white by reducing bacteria in your mouth and preventing plaque build up especially after having meals or drinks, which can lead to teeth discoloration and make it look yellow. But remember not to brush immediately after having any acidic foods or drinks as it might result in erosion.

Why do teeth turn yellow?

Many factors can cause your teeth to turn yellow, dull and lose their bright, white sparkle such as: 

• Enamel thinning: Certain foods may stain the outer layer of teeth which consists of enamel, which is almost white colored and protects the deeper tooth structures. Underneath the enamel lies a layer of tissue called dentin, which is naturally yellow-brown. And when the enamel layer wears or thins away, the teeth begin to look yellow as the enamel erodes revealing the dentin underneath.

• Stains: Foods and beverages, such as wine, coffee and soda can stain the teeth which can result in gum diseases and wearing down of enamel, increasing the yellowing. Other sources like smoking and chewing tobacco products, and some medications can also cause stains.

Natural way to whiten your teeth.

Many of the natural methods mentioned above can be effective to whiten your teeth, including oil pulling, using baking soda, eating a healthy diet, using hydrogen peroxide and limiting consumption of foods or beverages that may stain teeth. It’s important to understand what kind of stains your teeth have as most at-home remedies treat extrinsic stains that are the discolorations on the outside of your teeth caused by things such as red wine, tea, coffee, smoking and tobacco. And Intrinsic stains are a result of the tooth itself being discolored, either the enamel or the dentin that may happen from the genetic disorders or medications that you may have taken as a child, aging also plays a lot with it as well making the white enamel thinner. However, most of the effects can be temporary, and some people may experience gum irritation and teeth sensitivity. 

There are many whitening products available in the market that can help whiten your teeth quickly like teeth whitening toothpaste. However, dentists may offer whitening treatments by  whitening teeth by professionals   that are much stronger than these natural remedies. They involve bleaching the teeth,  denture whitening  which may be more effective for severe tooth discoloration. To get the best whitening on your teeth depends on several factors, including your personal preferences and budget. It’s better to consult with the dentists to get the best results.