Most people would rather have a smile that is white and bright over one that looks stained. If you suffer from teeth that are less than white, you may wonder what methods you can try to brighten them. Here are some different ways to brighten your teeth safely for you to give a try.

Fruit

Rub the inside of a banana peel directly on your teeth. The potassium and magnesium in a banana can help remove surface stains. Strawberries are another fruit that can be used to remove stains from teeth. Take a strawberry and turn it into a pulp by mashing it with a fork. Put the pulp directly on your teeth and leave in place for about five minutes. The malic acid in strawberries works as a natural tooth whitening agent.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Use hydrogen peroxide as a mouthwash to help brighten your teeth. Simply swish around in your mouth for a minute or so, and spit out. You can use peroxide a few times a day to whiten your teeth without harming them.

Baking Soda

Make a paste from a 1/4 cup of water with a teaspoon of baking soda. Place it on your toothbrush and brush your teeth in the same way you would as if you were using regular toothpaste. Limit using baking soda for a minute brushing, one time a week. The properties in baking soda will make your stains fade, but if used in excess it can also remove enamel from the top layer of your tooth, so it is best to use this method sparingly.

Over-The-Counter Whiteners

There are several different brands of whitening agents that can be bought over-the-counter at your local pharmacy or home goods store. Try using whitening toothpaste, gels, whitening strips or sprays. When using a whitening agent, use sparingly. They are known to remove enamel from your teeth if used in excess, so make sure you follow directions carefully so they are not left on the teeth too long or used too frequently.

Bleaching

If none of the above methods seem to work or if you want even whiter teeth, visit a cosmetic dentistry clinic for a consultation. A dentist will be able to cosmetically help you remove any stains from the teeth by using a special bleach that will penetrate through the top enamel layer to the discolored area underneath. The bleach will then whiten the stained area while leaving your enamel in tact.