Can I let you girls in on a little secret? I used to be an avid coffee and tea drinker. I know, it can be horrible for the enamel, but it’s just a weakness. One of the things that motivate me to keep this lousy habit at bay is the fact that I’m paranoid about having yellow, stained teeth.

Now, there are lots of teeth-bleaching options out there, and I have tried quite a few, including crest whitening strips and mouthwash that have both hurt and made my teeth sensitive. And though many of us know that these products can not only damage your mouth, it can also cause your gums to deteriorate and become brittle and fragile. Plus, the long-term effects of using these certain products are not widely known as there has not been much research on them yet.

For all of us that want natural teeth whitening remedies, here are eight quick ways to get started:

TURMERIC

I know what you are thinking. When you think of Turmeric, you think about the spice most likely to stain your clothes yellow. But, it could help us all whiten our teeth. Try dipping a toothbrush in organic turmeric, brush on teeth and let sit about three minutes before rinsing well and cleaning with your toothpaste. The results won’t be dramatic, sis, but it doesn't hurt to try.

STRAWBERRIES

Here’s another interesting one, and it's probably something that you already have in your fridge. Berries have a natural tendency to stain things, but the malic acid in them means ironically that they are a good stain remover. Make this strawberry paste and let it sit on your teeth for five minutes before rinsing it out.

HYDROGEN PEROXIDE

Freshen your mouth while you whiten by adding hydrogen peroxide to your toothpaste. The peroxide is intense but so worth it, sis.

BAKING SODA

Baking soda is an all-purpose household staple, so yes that means it can be used on your teeth as well. Mix your baking soda with a little water or lemon juice, make a paste, leave on for roughly a minute and then rinse.

SAGE

Sage is known for its tonic properties and is antibiotic and anti-fungal, making it an excellent natural teeth whitener. Mix up your whitening powder and make sure to use it once or twice a week.

BANANA PEEL

I got this idea that I picked up from YouTube and other magazines. To try this method, it is recommended that you do your normal routine (brushing then flossing). Then, rubbing the inside of a banana peel against teeth for roughly two minutes. The minerals inside the skin have been said to have a whitening effect.

OIL PULLING

This ancient remedy, which consists of rinsing or swishing oil in the mouth. It is excellent for strengthening gums, freshening breath and whitening teeth, among many other benefits, including help with plaque-induced gingivitis. I have tried this myself and have seen positive results. It takes some getting used to, but all you need to begin is swig some oil around for at least 10 minutes, then you merely "rinse" the toxins out.

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR

Among its plethora of other wellness uses, ACV helps whiten teeth when swished around the mouth before brushing. Make sure to do this remedy once a week, as vinegar can be rough on our teeth.

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Teeth whitening