Venetia Falconer, presenter of Talking Tastebuds podcast, shares her DIY All Natural Teeth Whitener recipe for you to try at home.
Coconut oil has been hailed as the only household/kitchen/beauty product you will ever need. Sweet potato wedges? Coconut oil. Eye Make-Up Remover? Coconut oil. Broke up with your boyfriend? Coconut oil.
And as a classic millennial who spends too much time on the ‘gram, I well and truly fell for it. Over the past few years, it’s been dissolved in my coffee, doused over my body and swished around my mouth. Which leads us, ladies and gentlemen, to my All Natural Teeth Whitener.
Commercial teeth bleaching products can cause sensitivity, gum irritation, and increased risk of tooth fracture, so I’m of the belief that we should prioritise making our whites pearly the natural way.
This recipe is based around the traditional Ayurvedic technique of oil pulling, which is claimed to have anti-inflammatory benefits and give the appearance of whiter teeth. I’ve added in baking soda, because it’s a natural way to discourage the formation of plaque and is said to prevent gum disease. What’s more, Julia Roberts supposedly uses it on her teeth and she’s got just about the best smile in Hollywood.
I’ve spoken to a few dentists and my oral hygienist who agree that although the scientific evidence of the benefits of oil pulling is limited, so long as you’re using this alongside a daily routine of brushing twice, it’s definitely not doing you any harm. They did seem particularly intrigued by the fact that the amount of plaque on my cavities had decreased dramatically since using this method and aesthetically speaking, I’ve seen a real difference in the colour of my gnashers. Or maybe it’s the fact that I insist on drinking everything through a stainless steel straw. Don’t ever invite me on a wine tasting…
Here’s how to make your own All Natural Teeth Whitener at home:
Ingredients: (makes 4-5 sessions worth)
2 heaped tbsp coconut oil
1 tsp baking soda
5 drops of peppermint oil
Method:
1. Gently melt your coconut oil in a saucepan (if you’re lucky enough to live in a warm climate, mother nature will take care of this for you)
2. Stir in the rest of your ingredients.
3. Once everything is well combined, put a heaped teaspoon of the mixture in your mouth and swirl it around like mouthwash for a minimum of 20 minutes.
Panicking about the fact that you don’t have 20 minutes to spare? But hun, you DO. You’re a multi-tasking badass queen. Maybe you’re doing the hoovering? Teeth whitener. Organising your best friend’s hen do? Teeth whitener. Sofa deep in the Leaving Neverland documentary? Teeth whitener.
When the time’s up, spit out into a food waste bin/compost, your sink won’t love the excess oil and landfills won’t either.
Try more DIY natural beauty ideas with our #SelfCareSunday recipes and follow Eco-Age on Instagram for a new recipe each Sunday.
Read more from Venetia in the Power of a Morning Routine and How to Have a Plastic-Free Period.