One of the most common complaints that people have about their teeth is that they’re discolored. So many things can affect the color of the teeth. Drinking soda, wine, coffee, smoking, and eating highly pigmented foods can all result in the yellowish tinge that everyone hates.
If a person has some extra money to spend, 
they could always visit their dentist for a quick whitening treatment. Unfortunately, in this economy, most people don’t have the extra money to spend on teeth whitening and dental insurance doesn’t usually cover the cost. This is why an increasing number of people are getting creative and looking in their own cabinets for products that can help.
Are There Low Cost Ways to Whiten My Teeth?
Teeth whitening is one of those beauty treatments that sounds difficult and expensive, but it really isn’t – this method can fit any budget. Most people can whiten their teeth from home, using products that are already in their cabinets. However, if you have been smoking for years and are dealing with significant stains, home whitening may not be enough. These treatments are better for people that only need to get their teeth a few shades whiter, not eliminate severe stains.
Two great products for at-home teeth whitening are hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. While this may sound a bit odd, since hydrogen peroxide is usually used to clean out cuts and scrapes, it does work. Next time you’re out shopping, look at the ingredients in a few high priced teeth whiteners and toothpastes. A lot of the time these products include hydrogen peroxide and/or baking soda.
How to Whiten Your Teeth at Home:
To whiten your smile, swap your normal mouthwash with hydrogen peroxide or mix it 1/2 & 1/2 with the mouthwash. Swish the liquid around your mouth and through your teeth for a good minute before spitting it out. Once you spit it out, go ahead and rinse your mouth with water to get the taste out. 
Right after rinsing, brush your teeth using a baking soda/toothpaste mixture. To make this mixture, put a tiny bit of toothpaste into a small cup, and then mix in one teaspoon of the baking soda and half a teaspoon of water. Once the concoction has been thoroughly mixed together and is the consistency of a paste, use it to brush your teeth. Brush your teeth for two minutes, just as you do regularly, and then spit it out. Upon completion, you will have successfully created a whitening treatment comparable to many popular products you’ll find in stores.
Remember to do the two step whitening process once a week until you have reached the results you want. Once your teeth are good and white, limit yourself to using the whitening treatment once every month or two.
If done too often, this treatment will wear down the enamel on your teeth and make you more susceptible to cavities. So while you may have a white smile, you’ll also have a mouth full of sensitive teeth and cavities, which may actually be worse than a little discoloration. Fortunately, while following these steps, without overdoing it, you will be able to easily whiten your teeth, while saving hundreds on the cost of professional whitening treatments.
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About the Author:
Sally is a 29 year old writer with a passion for health and wellness, frugal living, and culinary arts. In her free time she enjoys playing with her two English bulldogs.
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GREAT tips! I could use a little whitening myself!
Stumbled
Great info!
I’m totally trying this!
These are great tips and so simple! Thanks for sharing!
great idea! Hubby & I will have to try it!
Thanks! The winner will be notified on 5/1.
Great post! I still have my trays from way back and use them with whitening strips. stumbled
…this definitely works.
this works…
this works
Tried it for a month but I dont see the difference.
hmmm…it works for me! My dentist can’t believe how well it works!
Um what if you swallow the hydrogen peroxide?
Don’t! Use it just like mouthwash…swish & spit! If you pick up an expensive bottle of teeth whitening rinse in the store and look at the ingredients…it’s a simple mixture of peroxide and mouthwash!
This really works. The first time I tried it and i noticed!
Thanks for trying, and thanks for sharing your success! Check out my article on Spa Treatments for Less…you’ll find lots of easy & inexpensive beauty recipes.
[...] Teeth Whitening – Put your regular toothpaste on your brush, sprinkle with baking soda and brush as usual for a whiter and brighter smile! [...]
I am a rdh myself, as these tricks do work; a patient must be cautious if they have high blood pressure while using baking soda products. The baking soda may increase their blood pressure even more and sometime render HBP meds ineffective. The hydrogen peroxide is also a great thing for teeth whitening when it is in pastes and gels, used as a mouthrinse for a long time can lead to a black tongue, which looks really bad. Futhermore these are great ideas for whitening just wanted to let yall know of some of the long term side effects if used ineffectively.
Thanks for sharing! Did you know that the expensive whitening teeth rinses are just a combo of peroxide & mouthwash?
Yes I surely did. The thing with using those mouth rinses is that it can cause gingival sloughing; which can be painful to some people and not cause any pain in others. I did know this information and they are effective but we as dentist and hygienist recommend the trays or strips. Hope this information is beneficial.
My neighbor is 92 years old and has all her teeth. She has never used anything to brush them with besides baking soda and peroxide. I’ve used it for it’s whitening effects for years myself and it works great. I always get compliments about how white they are.
WOW…your 92 year old neighbor is a great testimonial! Thanks for sharing!
I am a registered dental hygienist as well and I just wanted to say that I 100% back up Jessica’s statement. There are many dangers with using the baking soda/peroxide at home, just always consult with your dentist before trying something like this. In moderation it may be okay, but most people dont practice moderation and thats when things become dangerous. Thanks for the post though, I agree it probably does offer great results, I just hope everyone seeks advice from their dentist or RDH first.
I grew up in a low income family and there were times we couldnt afford toothpaste. Our remedy was rinsing with peroxide, a little water on the toothbrush, and dipping it in the box of baking soda. Unfortunately, there was no paste or gel to add to the mixture. However, we’ve never experienced bad side affects from it and now as an adult with fairly great income, i still use it from time to time and have amazing results. Never a cavity and i dont have sensitive teeth. As a matter of fact, friends cringe when i bite into ice cream. Lol! I’m always complimented on how white my teeth are. Even from my dentist.
Peroxide + Baking Soda either has folks that love it or folks that don’t! I’m glad you’re for the budget friendly option!
when I mix the toothpaste and baking soda, can I use what’s left the next week or does it only make enough for one use? Thanks
I just tried this for the first time (saw it on Pinterest) and I already notice a difference. I’m a broke college student that lives on coffee so my teeth definitely needed it. I used to use the store-bought kits and I’m so glad I discovered a cheap alternative that works just as well.
Thanks for visiting The Budget Diet! You might enjoy an article that I wrote for college students: 10 Tips to Help Your College Student Manage Money and Avoid the Ramen Noodle Diet!
It’s best just for 1 use. Thanks for visiting The Budget Diet…I hope you’ll discover many more money saving tips!
Don’t forget to add water to that peroxide! It eats tissue!
[...] I am always looking for cheap and convenient new ways to solve beauty dilemmas. I came across this link about some at home teeth whitening tools that most of us have in our own cabinets. So I am [...]
Such great tips!
[...] Source: The Budget Diet [...]
Don’t forget to ADD WATER to the hydrogen peroxide if you are using it as mouthwash!! Make a half water/half hydrogen peroxide solution.
I actually suggest mixing it half & half with mouthwash which is exactly what those expensive teeth whitening rinses are made of.
Don’t use the peroxide straight, mix it with water. It will burn your mouth, trust me on this one. Speaking from personal experience here.
My suggestion is mixing it half & half with mouthwash which is exactly what those expensive teeth whitening rinses are made of.
Be careful with the baking soda. I used to use baking soda toothpaste and my dentist told me to stop because it wears away tooth enamel.
I am also a registered dental hygienist. I am very concerned about this post. The Anerican Dental Association Does NOT support brushing with baking soda and water. It will over time remove the enamel from your teeth. Yes, some toothpastes have baking soda in them, but the concentration is low. It works because it is abrasive to your enamel. Also, research shows that rinsing long term with hydrogen peroxide can cause precancerous cells. Please always consult with your registered dental hygienist or dentist before trying anything you read online about home remedies for whitening.
All those “dental hygienists” who commented on this post need to learn to read properly. The author states to ONLY USE THIS ONCE A WEEK. You guys are talking about after effects of using this every day. After 1 month’s time, she suggests to lessen the frequency to ONCE A MONTH. That should NOT have all those negative affects. I bet you guys are just afraid that people aren’t going to pay you tons of money for teeth whitening.
The dental association also puts mercury fillings into peoples mouths and says that’s ok…. soooo I am pretty sure, we can take what they say with a grain of salt.. on my peroxide bottle it says that it can be used to rinse in the mouth……
I know you are all dental hygienists and that’s what you’re taught in school, and I personally know a new grad dentist who supports the “almalgam” fillings, which is another word for mercury fillings… and I have read and seen many documentaries regarding mercury fillings and their dangers if agitated in the mouths of patients…… so a little peroxide won’t hurt anyone…. yes mercury is still very dangerous even though it is a filling in the tooth…. it still can be absorbed in the body if knocked out or disturbed, it still puts off mercury vapours….
When I posted this article, I never imagined that this would be the most controversial article on my site! It’s the dental hygienists vs. those who swear by peroxide & baking soda! Thanks for visiting The Budget Diet, and I hope you discovered a few money saving tips!
Thanks for the clarification, and thanks for reading The Budget Diet!
After doing the treatment, make sure you drink your coffe through a straw fpr a day or so..also avoid red wine for a few days. Your teeth will be more pourous and will suck in the color.
Thanks for the tip!
This is good for removing stain or periodontal gum disease. This is not going to work the miracles of actually whitening. Saw this on pininterest and just had to comment….since I too am a dental hygienist. Too much of this will ruin your enamel!:)
I do just suggest once a week and diluted with mouthwash which is exactly what those overpriced teeth whitening rinses are made of.
As a dental assistant, I would like to make a few suggestions in addition to your advice.
1. Don’t swish with straight hydrogen peroxide, do half water half peroxide. Rinsing with it too often will have adverse effects.
2. There are certain issues that prevent people from being good candidates for bleaching, such as advanced decay. Make sure that home bleaching treatments won’t increase these.
3. Try to bring a fluoride mouthwash or toothpaste into your routine if you don’t have it already, as bleaching may cause sensitivity.
Hope this helps!
why does mine not turn into a paste? It stays really runny
Remember, use the peroxide like mouthwash THEN mix baking soda with toothpaste and a tiny bit of water to make the paste. Good Luck!
[...] I’ve also come across some ideas that I want to put into action and some homemade recipes I want to give a try. I’m going to make Homemade Probiotic Deodorant, Homemade Lip Balm, and Homemade Teeth Whitener. [...]
You’ll love the homemade teeth whitening rinse! If you look on the bottle of those expensive teeth whitening rinses…they are simply a mixture of peroxide & mouthwash!
[...] http://www.thebudgetdiet.com/easy-at-home-teeth-whitening-for-any-budget I tried my own Biore type stuff. Eh. My face was smooth and soft afterward, but not any better than any exfoliator. [...]
ahhh…but much cheaper!
Hi,
what concentration has the peroxide to be?
50% peroxide, 50% mouthwash
I will try this
Thanks for the advice
I can’t believe so many comments were against doing this. My dentist way back in 1980, instructed me to use peroxide, a little warm water and baking soda on my teeth. He never mentioned precancerous cells or removing my tooth enamel. Must be that is something new?
I think that many of the negative comments are coming from folks that are not reading the instructions properly…it’s once per week, and the peroxide is diluted. Thanks for being a Budget Diet reader!
I hope you enjoy this money saving tip!!!!
Just tried this. It was extremely yucky tasting, but now my mouth feels SUPER clean and fresh. =)
Did you remember to mix the peroxide 50/50 with mouthwash? It should taste just like your favorite mouthwash, not yucky!
What if you have braces?!
You’re just rinsing with the 50/50 mouthwash-peroxide mixture, so it will work fine with braces.
be careful rinsing with peroxide, using it too often can give you black hairy tongue. black hairy tongue may be temporary and harmless, but it isn’t pretty! -dental hygiene student!
The directions say once a week, and the peroxide is diluted. It’s the same mixture as those expensive whitening rinses.
I can’t believe that someone would even post this, yet alone someone not in the dental fienld, only trying to make a cheap product for people. There is a reason that whitening agents are dispensed by your dentist…to prevent over usage and if you think people wont abust this..think again . Instead of once a week they will be useing it daily and then they will have problems. However, yes the above hygienist stated this used to be used years ago to “help” with periodontal disease recommended by the periodontist, this DOES NOT “REMOVE” periodontal disease… WORD OF tHE WISE PEOPLE, don’t over use it you will have increased sensitivity and yes it can damage tooth enamel with prolonged and over usage…pay attention to the professionals here, yes, I am a hygienist of 15 years!
This is the equivalent on the whitening rinses sold in stores, but it’s much cheaper. Yes, the instructions do say only once per week.
how much toothpaste do you mix with the baking soda. i know it says a little bit, but can you give a better approximation?
half & half is perfect!
[...] EASY AT HOME TEETH WHITENING from The Budget Diet [...]
“I actually suggest mixing it half & half with mouthwash which is exactly what those expensive teeth whitening rinses are made of”
Where exactly in your article do you advise this? I’ve read it and re-read it and don’t see it there. As someone who doesn’t often read through the dozens of comments on an article, having the CORRECT information included in the actual article would be better. I’m sure I’m not the only one who does not normally read all the comments.
Also those of you bashing the dental-workers who posted here, are you REALLY so shallow that you think they would post simply because it would hurt their lively-hood just because the three or hundred people who might actually do this after reading it or being told about wouldn’t come to them? Doubtful…VERY doubtful. You don’t pay what they do and spend that amount of time in school without learning a thing or two. I like white teeth, but I believe I’ll follow what they say and consult a dentist prior to starting anything like this at home!
Thanks for the comment…I’ve clarified it in the article.
A note, to prevent those cavities from popping up and to just protect your teeth all around, use a fluoride rinse such as ACT. Following the directions on the bottle will be good enough, though using it immediately after the treatment is probably not a good idea, and especially not the other way around since it would just cancel out the fluoride. Good luck!
Everyone may want to keep in mind that this is a blog. It’s supposed to be fun and helpful. Kristl isn’t bashing professionals or claiming to be more qualified, she is simply making a suggested for those who can’t afford all of the expensive treatments. There could be negative effects to ANYTHING used in excess. Also, I’m sure there will be someone who abuses this, but I think we can all agree that that person would probably abuse it without this recipe. I’ve never tried this, so I can’t vouch for whether or not it works. I respect those who are professionals, and I don’t believe this was meant to harm the business of those professionals… just helpful tips.
I see there is some controversy about the use of baking soda and peroxide in the comments. I would like to focus solely on the use of baking soda for the moment. After reading the comments from some of the dental professionals stating that baking soda will wear away your enamel I suggest they look at something called the Moh’s Mineral Hardness Scale (look it up!). Here’s a brief description I copied down: “The Moh’s scale of mineral hardness is based on the ability of one natural sample of matter to scratch another.” The scale runs from 1 to 10, so put simply the lower number assigned to a mineral the softer the mineral is. Tooth enamel is rated at 5, baking soda at 2.4. So it seems baking soda isn’t scratching your tooth enamel. Now there is something called Silica that is used in almost all drug store brands of tooth paste. Silica is simply ground up quarts rock and its number is in the 6 -7 range….
I see no harm in using baking soda every time you brush, and most certainly not from a once a week treatment. The dental industry makes such a big deal out of baking soda when they are actively promoting the use of silica which can and does actually harm tooth enamel. Interesting huh? I do not think that every dentist and dental hygienist is out to personayl sabotage my teeth; I believe it’s just what they were taught in school. But who is doing this teaching? Makes you wonder what the objective of those in power really is.
Very interesting! Thanks for taking the time to research & share this information.
Thanks Alex for the nice comments!
[...] How to Whiten Your Teeth at Home: To whiten your smile, swap your normal mouthwash with hydrogen peroxide or mix it 1/2 & 1/2 with the mouthwash. Swish the liquid around your mouth and through your teeth for a good minute before spitting it out. Once you spit it out, go ahead and rinse your mouth with water to get the taste out. Easy At Home Teeth Whitening for Any Budget | The Budget Diet [...]
WOW, Who wouldve thought this would get so much feed-back!! I am NOT a Dental student or a Dentist, by far, BUT I have been doing this for years!! I remember when I was younger my mom used this exact mixture!! And she STILL has beautiful white teeth!! I did this a few weeks ago, Just as a “little help” with my discolored teeth, I drink pot of coffee daily and have smoked!! So my teeth are tinged yellow, and that same night my husband came home and noticed my teeth right away!! I actually mix peroxide and baking soda and brush with it! BUT now I will totally re-do my mixture and follow your instructions! AND I PROMISE TO DO IT ONCE A WEEK FOR A MONTH AND THEN ONCE A MONTH AFTER!! lol, seems that’s what most of the students, Hygienists and Dentists are stressing in their comments!! BUT THANK YOU FOR THE EASY TO FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS AND THE GREAT IDEAS!!! YOU ROCK!!
Thanks for being “living proof” of this method, and thanks for reading The Budget Diet! I hope you’ll discover more money saving tips on my blog!
What is the percentage concentration of the peroxide by itself, not mixed with the mouthwash, because when you buy peroxide it comes in say 5%, 7.5% and 10% concentrations upwards. I think most professional whiteners use 7.5% up to 12.5% conc peroxide. So was just curious about what peroxide to get.
I honestly don’t know the answer! I’ve always used 3% which seems to be the most common one at the drug store.
As a person in the medical field, and many years of schooling, I agree that we should be so much more concerned about the things we consume in daily life to affect our bodies rather than the use of baking soda/peroxide 2 times a week for a month and 1 time a month after for teeth whitening. My grandmother who has all of her original teeth has been using this combo since she was a child. She is 84 now, perfect teeth, no cavities, no problems! Let me give all the crazies out there something to think about! We vaccinate our children, and dont think twice about those. By age 2 our children have recieved 237 Micrograms of mercury through vaccines alone, which far exceeds current EPA “safe” levels of 0.1 mcg/kg per day…..contributing to extreme numbers of children diagnosed with autism!!! So seriously baking soda/peroxide use, GO FOR IT! There are no issues with using this correctly!
Well said! Thanks!
Actually theyve proven that accuses are not linked to autism the man who did the studies falsified data to skew the testing results…. However I think we all need to look into more homeopathic anything vs. chemically based products…much better for everyone’s health!
Wow! You should really research this before doing this. We hygienist know what we are talking about when we say to be cautious. I have seen the effects of brushing with baking soda first hand. I don’t think you want teeth that have been worn away at the gumline and need fillings to repair the damage. How costly just to have white teeth. Crest White Strips work well and are very inexpensive!!!!!!! I’ve seen them at Big Lots.
Furthermore, Hydrogen Peroxide is a know carcinogen. Used as a regular part of your hygiene regimen is not what I call, worth while. Be SMART get Crest White Strips they are a lot cheaper than trying to fix what damage you will cause yourself by doing this at home bleaching.
The active ingredient in Crest White Strips is hydrogen peroxide.
@Laura (CONCERNED) If you ‘hygienists’ REALLY ‘know what you’re talking about, then you’d be Dentists, not a trade-skill career. Both my parents are dentists and I’m currently in my last year of dental school and I can ASSURE you, this is perfectly OKAY for you. People do WAY worse things for their teeth. I had a patient come in whose mother had been rubbing COMET (Yes, the cleaning solution) on her teeth once a week and she still had enamel. I have patients who have been brushing their teeth with baking soda all their lives and they have the same effects as people who have been using crest white strips, that you so proudly saw at Big Lots. (If it’s sold at Big Lots, it’s must be good apparently…?) The degeneration on the gum line will always evolve with anything that is meant to take away stain from a tooth.
Check the label on hydrogen peroxide. YOU CAN DRINK IT. If you can drink something and be okay, don’t you think it touching your teeth would be okay too?
People eat baking soda in multiple foods/recipes.
Educate yourself before you speak. You’re embarrassing yourself even more and making a professional that is already thought of as the ‘dumb blonde’ career seem even worse.
[...] Fotos: thebudgetdiet [...]
My dentist…not hygienist…actually has me do this very same weekly regimen, but also same regimen with two differences to strengthen my gums. 1) add pinch of salt 2) floss first, then use this paste near my gums to strengthen my gums!! First couple of times, i will admit it brought involuntary tears to my eyes, but now…no more weak, unhealthy gums! I do this particular regimen 1x/month!
So good to hear that your dentist recommends this!
Is this safe??
Just tried this for the first time and my mouth and teeth feel soooo clean, like I just left the dentist office after having a cleaning, and I can see a difference in the whiteness and shininess of my teeth already. People all over the world have been using your budget saving teeth whitening plan for hundreds of years with no adverse effects so I’m not a bit worried about doing this regiment 1x per week. Thank you for the great advice!
Thanks for letting me know that the budget teeth whitening method has worked for you! I hope I can help you save money in other areas of your life!
If you read the nearly 100 comments you’ll see mixed reviews…some dentists say “yes,” and some say “no.” My response is, look at the ingredients in the expensive teeth whitening rinses (peroxide & mouthwash)…would the FDA allow that to be sold if it wasn’t safe?
I think that people should think twice before trying this… I understand that this is a blog and you are just giving your opinion but seriously I clean the grout in my shower with baking soda and peroxide, and sometimes use it to clean carpet stains. I mentioned this to my dentist after finding the link on Pinterest and he nearly fell out of his chair. You never know what hidden dangers there are with things like this.. listen to your dental professional, they received an education in order to tell you what should and should not go in your mouth. And the comment “would the FDA allow that to be sold if it wasnt safe?” is ignorant because there are recalls everyday for things that the FDA has approved and since found that they are unsafe or in cases like these being used for purposes other than specified. Also in response to the comment by Asia, just because someone is a hygenist or dental assistant does not mean they arent trying to be or arent qualified to be a dentist. Some people may just be happy with where they are in their career.
Had to tell the truth…dental hygienists don’t like this not because baking soda is bad to ingest but by doing this you’ll scrub through the white outer layer of your teeth because baking soda is to abrasive to use like this. The inner layer is softer more likely to get decay and the inner layer is YELLOW! Do you want that? Your best bet for whiter teeth is to avoid things that stain like coffee, red wine, dark colas and tea or to rinse right after drinking these things. Also hydrogen peroxide only kills bacteria that need oxygen to live while it is in whitening products it is not the same concentration that is sold in liquid form rinsing with this stuff cause serious problems long term because bacteria that cause periodontal disease do not require oxygen to live, do by rinsing with this long term you could delve lope serious bone destroying gum disease. Some advice is seriously better left to the professionals saving money short term isn’t always the best long term savings plan. This tip could destroy many beautiful healthy mouths. A very disappointing unprofessional post.
Can you use baking powder?? we don’t have baking soda in dk :/
I don’t think so, plus it has a really bad taste. Sorry!
In reference to the question, “….would the FDA allow that to be sold if it wasn’t safe?”
Please read the book, “No More Dirty Looks” by Siobhan O’Connor and Alexandra Spunt. It is a great book about all the beauty products we use and their content. You will find that the FDA allows a lot of things to be sold that probably aren’t safe for us. It is best to not blindly trust a government agency but to do research on your own.
And I can’t help but reiterate, dental professionals are just that, professionals who went to school to learn about taking care of your teeth. I’m sure they are better equipped to determine what is best for teeth than I am.
Actually it’s perfectly safe to use hydrogen peroxide and baking soda daily. I work for a dentist who swears by Arm & Hammer’s Peroxicare Toothpaste, and typically recommends adding additional baking soda and peroxide for gum health. The peroxide bubbles and foams, releasing oxygen and killing bacteria that survive in oxygen-free environments, and the grit of the baking soda helps keep the surfaces of the teeth smooth, making it harder for plaque to accumulate. It only wears down your enamel if you scrub too hard. It only takes a very light touch to brush your teeth, no more than the small amount of pressure it takes to turn your gums white when pressed upon.
My dentist approves too, so it’s always nice to hear from another dentist!
First I wouldn’t swish with just peroxide I would maybe brush it p. your teeth avoiding a potential black tounge long term let it sit the time you would be swishing
and also, just wanted to make everyone aware that fluoride is not needed and can be potentialy dangerous! “If you were to injest a mere 2-5 grams of sodium fluoride (a common ingredient in toothpaste), you would probably die. The amount of fluoride in a typical tube of fluoride toothpaste is sufficient to kill a small child if it were consumed all at once.”(http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2005/07/whats-the-deal-with-fluoride/)
“The last time I checked, water fluoridation was banned in Japan, China, India, and most European countries. What’s interesting though is that in Europe the levels of tooth decay are no worse than in the USA. In both the U.S. and Europe, the levels of tooth decay have been falling at about the same rate for decades. Fortunately for non-U.S. residents, the politics of fluoride which have infected the U.S. have not similarly infected the rest of world.”(http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2005/07/whats-the-deal-with-fluoride/) There is a lot of real information regarding fluoride please educate yourself and don’t just believe everything dentists, advertising, people that profit from the things they are promoting to you!!
I would not use this whitening method if you have braces. Baking soda can dissolve orthodontic glue.
ShopperLady it is right under the white your teeth. Read it as many times as you said you did and you would see it. This is a blog and says once a week and then once a month. Read before put the blog down because otherwise the two cents is not needed!!
Thanks so much for the kind comment! Some of the negative comments worry me, but then my dentist said it’s perfectly fine! Peroxide is exactly what’s in the expensive whitening products.
I neither trust the FDA, nor any of the other gov’t agencies involved with telling the general populace what we should eat or drink, or not. I find too many people blindly rejecting things because that’s what they were told in school. I read all of the comments and found a minimum of 3 actual dentists that recommended this treatment, but no hygienists. Why because they’re the ones that get paid to scrap the plaque off your teeth and if you follow these directions you won’t need that for quite long periods of time. I also find the suggestion to use fluoride the most dangerous of any here. Fluoride is highly poisonous and is only in our water because our politicians allowed it without first consulting us, then by media propaganda to convince us that it’s necessary. It’s not!, as mentioned elsewhere here by Kristen. She even gives a link: (http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2005/07/whats-the-deal-with-fluoride/ There are many many things that the US govt allows that almost no other country will allow. The other most pertinent thing mentioned in regards to this blog post was the actual hardness of minerals mentioned by Sarah W. If you skipped that one, I suggest you go back and read it seeing as she notes that the ingredients in most standard toothpastes also include silica (which is almost sand, btw) and that the hardness scale created by scientists that spend their time measuring these things for real, not by listening to biased lectures, states that tooth enamel is twice as hard as baking soda. According to that information backing soda CAN’T scratch or wear away your enamel. It’s obviously the toothpaste and the pressure on the brush that causes this wearing away. Plus the crap we eat (Coca-Cola, and other carbonated beverages, I’m looking at you!) is very conducive to bringing on all of the things the hygienists have been ranting about. Not a few of the comments were from readers that know someone that has, or have themselves, used this very suggestion all or most of their lives with no loss of enamel — and no loss of teeth generally either. Now I know that any hygienists that read my comment are going to flame me or call me a troll, but we as the public and as individuals deserve to know the real truth — not what some organization bent on selling waste material and foisting other essentially evil things on us tell both us and anyone in school they want to back them up.
This blog is straight up and tells the truth, regardless of what your hygienist might think. Do some research and find out for yourself. Oh, I only named myself this way because that is what most hygienists and those opposed to this way to whiten your teeth on a budget will label me anyway, so I thought I’d beat you to it.
WOW…thanks for sharing some great research! Love the comment about “all the crap we eat.”!
I have heard of this technique before and the safety of it has always been “debated”, so I am not sure what to believe now haha! I bought a tube of “5-minute Speed Whitening Gel” by “PLUS WHITE” from Wal-Mart for $4.99 and I find that works really well, and the tube has lasted me 6 months so far.. and I still have tons left. I have used crest white strips and the 2-hour Rembrandt whitening kits, and this gel works faster and gets them just as white. For $4.99 you can’t really go wrong
I was thinking about getting my teeth professional whitened but it can be expensive, so I will give this a go, and let you know. I am a beauty junkie and love new ways to look good.
Jeez-really! I’m sure that none of the products that we use to “clean ow whiten” our teeth are actually good for us. We just have to decide for ourselves the level of exposure we are willing to risk. My grandmother used peroxide daily for oral debriding. She lived to be 88. Used in moderation I’m sure this is fine. The professional products for home use from the dentist can burn the heck out of your mouth even following the directions.
Well…beauty junkie on a budget, can’t wait to hear what you think!
Hey! I tried making this but it doesn’t look like consistency of what’s in the picture. Mine is much more liquidy! Am I doing something wrong?
If you’re following the “recipe”…no worries!
I love how people simply googling things think they have the medical background to give advice. I particularly find it rude that people are demeaning and calling hygienists a trade position and that if they knew what they’d be taking about they’d be dentists. Not everyone in this world wants to be a doctor and incur so much debt. As a nurse we have the same level of education about a patient’s condition as does a doctor, the difference is in the responsibility.
Not everything on the internet is true, such as the person complaining about mercury in vaccines giving kids autism. The study was completely flawed (they guy used kid’s at his son’s birthday party and paid them to take blood samples) hardly a true experiment. Likewise the amount of mercury in vaccines is minimal, the majority of which are now mercury free. Your kids should be vaccinated because there are tons of kids dying of diseases that were eradicated but are now coming back (like Polio) because people think it’s healthier to not vaccinate.
Is the picture what it the look like? I followed the recipe but mine isn’t very paste-like. It’s more like a thick liquid. Will it work the same?
If you followed the “recipe”…it’s fine! Happy teeth whitening!
Cant wait to try this
It really works!
When i mixed the toothpaste and all together it was a liquid? Should i put more baking soda in to make it pastey?
When i mixed everything for the tooth paste it was a liquid? What do i need to do to make it pastey?
It sounds like you need more baking soda.
Yes…try more baking soda. Happy teeth whitening!
I’m going to try this today! I used to used the Aquafresh kits that is $30 and its for 7days one hour on top and bottom of mouth. It worked but it hurt my gums and I didnt want to keep spending that amount. A coworker of mine was a dental hygenist and she uses this method, her teeth are great.
Enjoy your white teeth…your wallet will thank you!
I saw this recipe on Pinterest and went ahead and tried it. I had braces and didnt do the best job at taking care of my teeth. My mix doesnt really get the to consistency of paste, any idea of what I could be doing wrong??
Just add a little more baking soda. Enjoy your white teeth!
Ok, I could see a difference with just one use, not the bad stains but overall color. Except the edges of my gums closest to my teeth turned white and were stinging.
I don’t know if I’ll be doing this ever again. Sure as heck not more than once a week for a month then 1/month.
And fwiw, way back when I tried teeth whitening treatments from my dentist. Totally awful, stinging compared to this.
I do like the advice part way down the comments about being gentle. I might get a softer brush for doing this.
I’m a big believer in listening to your body! Good luck!
I just tried this as I’m in my 2nd year of braces and can’t do the traditional whitening strips. I hope this works because not being able to whiten has drove me over the edge. I will say that like others who’ve commented, you will need to add more baking soda because the recipe “as is” leaves it watery.
Also…be careful…it burnt the crap outta my gums and lips…next time I’ll be more gentle AND try to keep it off everything but my teeth.
I can’t wait to get the braces off so I can get real whitening done. I’ll be in “Invisalign” type retainers that I can also use as bleaching trays so that is gonna r.o.c.k!!!
I will start my comment off with explaining the 2 different types of tooth whitening. I am a registered dental hygienist and I give this explanation probably on a daily basis.
Picture a tooth, it looks solid but it has microscopic tubules that lead from the outside of the tooth to the center where the nerve chamber is. The outer layer is enamel, middle layer is called dentin and the center is hollow where the nerve and blood vessels lie. Enamel is a whiter layer, and dentin is NATURALLY YELLOW, please remember this. Stain builds up in these microscopic tubules
The first option of whitening is by literally removing a layer of enamel off by using abrasive toothpastes. So if you think about this long term usage, whether it be using it on a daily basis or once a month for years, you are still removing enamel. ENAMEL DOES NOT GROW BACK, no matter what toothpaste commercials say on TV, yes using a fluoride rinse/toothpaste will help keep the teeth strong but it won’t keep the enamel around, so with long term usage, enamel will eventually wear and the yellower dentin will show through. The dentin is softer and more prone to tooth decay.
The second, ideal option of whitening is by using a whitening strip/tray method. How these work is that the hydrogen peroxide/carbamide peroxide gel is applied to the teeth (and only the teeth!) and the gel fills into the microscopic tubules and bleaches them from the inside without removing enamel, this may cause some tooth sensitivity over a period of 24-48 hours ( I personally have NEVER heard of any long term sensitivity occurring)
It was very common practice many years ago to suggest hydrogen peroxide and baking soda, but as things change we now know that long term use of the items can be harmful. So please make sure that when you are given information from anyone, including dental professionals, they are up to date on their education. I write this post so that people can make informed decisions about their health and those of you that believe that we don’t recommend the hydrogen peroxide/baking soda method because we are out there to make a buck, it is simply not true, I have many patients that still to this day use that method that I see every six months for a cleaning that I have to scale tarter/calculus off their teeth because it is more about HOW you brush your teeth, not what you USE to clean them. So please keep informed of what you do and put into your body. I see many people who suffer because they find things like this on the internet and end up paying much much more physically, emotionally and financially in the end.
The use of baking soda for removal of stain, as well as to make the saliva more alkaline came from Dr. Keyes’s research. He was shunned from the dental community and made fun of. Unfortunately the many that pushed him out of the dental community did not do their due diligence by creating their own research. Most was based off of hear say. The ADA recently apologized to Dr. Keyes in a position paper for improperly shunning him from the community. Baking soda is the least abrasive form of paste, as well as it brings the PH value above neutral, registering it in at 8. Therefore the strept. mutans that are the cause for decay cannot sustain in that PH value.
Please see the chart below to review the levels of abrasiveness in many listed dentifrices.
Happy brushing~ Karyn
The RDA table:
0-70 = low abrasive
70-100 = medium abrasive
10-150 – highly abrasive
150-250 = regarded as harmful limit
RDA Value
Toothpastes
Straight Baking Soda 7
Arm & Hammer Tooth Powder 8
Arm & Hammer Dental Care 35
Oxyfresh 45
Tom’s of Maine Sensitive 49
Arm & Hammer Peroxicare 49
Rembrandt Original 53
CloSYS 53
Tom’s of Maine Children’s 57
Colgate Regular 68
Colgate Total 70
Sensodyne 79
Aim 80
Colgate Sensitive Max Strength 83
Aquafresh Sensitive 91
Tom’s of Maine Regular 93
Crest Regular 95
Mentadent 103
Sensodyne Extra Whitening 104
Colgate Platinum 106
Crest Sensitivity 107
Colgate Herbal 110
Aquafresh Whitening 113
Arm & Hammer Tarter Control 117
Arm & Hammer Advance White Gel 117
Close-up with Baking Soda 120
Colgate Whitening 124
Crest Extra Whitening 130
Ultra Brite 133
Crest MultiCare Whitening 144
Colgate Baking Soda Whitening 145
Pepsodent 150
Colgate Tarter Control 165
Colgate 2-in-1 Tarter Control/White 200
FDA Recommended Limit 200
ADA Recommended Limit 250
thanks a lot for the list of toothpastes! my boss wants me to bring it in to the office!
I was wondering if just the baking soda part is safe for pregnancy? I know the peroxide is not. Just trying to find something I can do while I’m pregnant.
Sorry…that’s a question to ask your doctor.
Where do you get peroxide? And how much usually is it?
You can find peroxide in the health & beauty section of any drugstore or grocery. I bought a large bottle at Walmart last week for 68 cents!
I just tried this for the first time and can I say….awesome! I’ve desperately been wanting to give my teeth that extra boost of white for some time now and this will be something I use on a daily basis now…JUST KIDDING! I read the instructions very carefully and will be following them
I am such a frugal gal and was excited when I already had all the ingredients in the house….Thank You for posting!
Enjoy your white teeth on a budget!
YES I need this!! haha Thanks
I will try this tonight
[...] final pin was an intriguing (read: almost too simple) recipe for DIY whitening toothpaste. In fact, I never even clicked through to the original blog post because the recipe was replicated [...]
good tips, i would like to point out however that full strength hydrogen peroxide is very damaging to the oral mucosa. i would recommend 1/2 hydrogen peroxide and 1/2 water. mixing it with mouthwash, which often has alcohol, can have the same damaging effect. just a friendly note from a nurse
can I do only the second step?
Of course! You’ll see improvement, but not as much.
i used baking soda like this to whiten my teeth… yes great results… but after a prolonged period the enamel softened and wore away due to the baking soda…. ok as a quick whitener once in a while, but not as a daily , weekly or monthly routine….
This recipe is for once a week.
Hi Kristl
I came over from pinterest, love your blog!
I really enjoyed reading all these comments(I love a little debate)! I use a similar method, and at first I was dipping my toothbrush in hydrogen peroxide, and doing that daily…NONO! It hurt my gums. But I have found once a week like your method to work fantastic.
The Dentists and Hygienists are bringing up valid points for people who possibly have underlying gum issues or who might over use a method like this, but your instructions are not flawed at all, it just takes common sense and moderation, which is something many unfortunately lack nowadays!
Conspiracy Theorist brings up some FANTASTIC points that anyone who is unfamiliar with should definitely do some independent research. We ingest a myriad of chemicals on a daily basis that are far more dangerous then this method. In our makeup alone, it can be terrifying. Fluoride as well is something I suggest to shy away from the best you can. Educating yourself on the chemicals we consume is of the utmost importance for our health right now as businesses lessen the quality of ingredients to cut costs and make profits. Websites like your blog are GREAT because usually if you are spending time making homemade and natural products, cooking for yourself instead of buying processed foods (going to the farmers market instead where it’s cheaper) you are saving money, spending money in places that will help the economy and eliminate many toxins in our diet! It’s a win-win-win for us all
Thanks!
Season Laurel
Thanks so much for visiting, and you’re absolutely right…at least we know what’s in our homemade products!
I just did this for the first time and it really beat up my gums. I’m assuming they will get tougher over the course of the regiment?
My grandmother used a mixture of baking soda and table salt to bush her teeth with from childhood right up until she lost her facilties in her 90′s and had to go into a convalescence care center. She arrived with all her own teeth, snowy white. After a couple of years having her teeth brushed sporadically by the nursing staff using the ADA “recommended” toothpastes, her teeth lost their whiteness and began to decay at a rapid rate. She had lost several of them by the time of her death.
People need to remember the brown bottle hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is already deluted to a 3% solution. I myself have used a daily oral rinse of 3% hydrogen proxide for 15+ years since reading up on the subject. I occasionally brush with straight baking soda to whiten my otherwise drab, but sound teeth. I never swallow any H2O2, as it has been reported to cause abnormal cells in the stomach, but have no problems with such in the mouth, and never anything approaching “black tongue” symptoms – my tongue is pink and healthy in appearance. Breath is fresh. I smoke and drink some coffee. They do make my teeth dingy. Before any dentist appointment, I brush, rinse, and use a $1 teeth whitening system with gel and tray I get a the local dollar store. Dentist complains about how easily my gums bleed, but compliments me on how white and clean my teeth are and can find no disease or cavities. I do think that even learned people can parrot incorrect information if that is all they have ever heard, and have never conducted long-term tests.
I think grandma knows best!
[...] perusing Pinterest, I stumbled upon a link to a DIY teeth whitening recipe (from this link here: DIY Teeth Whitening). It’s a two part process, mouth rinse and a toothbrush [...]
How soon will you see the results?
You’ll start to see improvement right away, but I suggest giving it a month for best results.
[...] so what’s a girl (or boy) to do? have no fear- pinterest is here! (original source). [...]
Thanks for sharing my teeth whitening tips on your blog! Love the title!
You may also try these: Chew some peanut in your mouth, then brush your teeth with the peanut. Twice a day, it’s really help.
Just tried this and my teeth feel awesome! I can tell they lightened a bit but it more so felt like I just got done getting my teeth cleaned at the dentist. Awesome!
Glad you’re thrilled with the results!
This only confirms my many reasons to never go to a dentist again. They all seem to be idiots that don’t read the instructions properly placed with the information. I’ve used this for a long time and have never had any of those stupid side effects they mention or cancerous cells? Life causes cancer ok. Cell phones, tv’s, anything you touch or are around can cause cancer today. Don’t just try and scare people with this dumb comment.
It works folks! Don’t worry what the dental hygienist says about side effects. I’ve never had one and my teeth are beautifully white! Do it. This lady is a genius for posting this here!!! Great job Kristi! Thanks
Will this work on teeth that have been bonded?
that I don’t know…sorry!
Thanks so much for sharing your teeth whitening success story!
Just so you know… On Pinterest where I found this the article on the front
Says to add baking soda, peroxide, water, and toothpaste. I think that is why people are finding it so liquidy. But for the toothpaste recipe here there is no peroxide… Correct?
Exactly! The peroxide is mixed half and half with mouthwash for a whitening rinse, and the whitening toothpaste is baking soda, toothpaste and just a little water to get the correct consistency. By the way, next time you’re in the store…take a look at the ingredients on one of those expensive bottles of whitening rinse, and you’ll discover it’s just mouthwash & peroxide!
Hi guys! Just wanted to add (I’m a dental assistant), ANY tooth whitening procedure, whether over the counter, home remedy, or professional, usually will remove the outer layer of enamel and possibly cause slight sensitivity, just an FYI…so as stated above, please discuss with your oral care professional before starting any treatment!
I’m confused. Is it half peroxide half water then mix it with mouthwash or is it half peroxide half mouthwash? Don’t want to end up with black tongue! LOL!
half peroxide, half mouthwash
i cant seem to get the paste mixture actually turn to paste it just turns into this thin white liquid is there a trick to it
You’re mixing together baking soda and toothpaste + just enough water to get a good consistency.
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