How can I get white teeth?

White teeth, a miracle difficult to achieve

White teeth are rare. And with good reason: between the hereditary factor, which gives everyone more or less white enamel, and environmental causes, yellowing of teeth is far more common than their whitening. While yellow dentine can be the result of family misfortune, it is often the result of poor lifestyle and eating habits.

First and foremost, poor oral hygiene is the main cause of yellowing teeth. Regular and conscientious oral hygiene can be the first step towards teeth whitening. Regular brushing of the teeth, two or three times a day, removes sugars and aggressive elements that attack enamel and limit any attempt to achieve a dream smile.

On the other hand, the consumption of coloring foods plays a major role in the yellow appearance of teeth. The best known are tea, coffee, tea, red wine, soft drinks... Cigarettes are, of course, the greatest enemy of white teeth. Finally, excess fluoride causes stains on teeth, making them appear, by contrast, more yellow than they are. It is therefore important to consume sufficient calcium, whether of animal or vegetable origin. Once an acceptable lifestyle has been adopted, it is possible to consider improving the whiteness of teeth using natural products: essential oils.

Essential oils, the allies of white teeth

Thanks to the power of their concentrated active ingredients, essential oils act effectively on the body. In the case of teeth, these can be purified and therefore whitened thanks to a synergy of the following three oils. Mix them in a bottle and use 1 drop on your toothpaste:

• Tea tree essential oil: 20 drops. Thanks to its antiseptic, antifungal and antibacterial properties, tea tree helps reduce plaque. Acting against bacteria present in food, which proliferate in our mouths after meals, this essential oil is best suited to maintaining perfect oral hygiene.
• Lemon essential oil : 15 drops. Lemon removes tartar, which is resistant to tooth brushing. It therefore acts on a direct cause of yellowing teeth, whitening them thanks to a terpene present in its oil, limonene.
• Mint essential oil: 15 drops. Mint has a refreshing effect that is very pleasant on breath. Prefer Country Mint, the mint variety that contains the most menthol, a monoterpene alcohol, a local anesthetic that is particularly effective against dental pain.

Use

Place a small amount of toothpaste on your toothbrush, then add one drop (and only one) of your essential oil blend. Brush your teeth as usual.

Instead of toothpaste, you can also use aloe vera gel, which is particularly recommended for sensitive teeth and gums. Lemon and tea tree essential oils can also be poured directly onto the toothbrush, provided you limit yourself to just 1 drop.

Toothpaste ideas with essential oils

You'll find more recipes for making your own toothpaste on the following pages:

• Fresh minty whitening toothpaste recipe
• Healing and antiseptic toothpaste recipe