#WokeUpLikeThis – Overnight Beauty Remedies 3
Whiten Your Teeth While you Sleep
Professional teeth whitening is very effective at removing yellow stains from teeth, but it can also be very expensive and may require multiple treatments. However, most of us can afford baking soda! For only a few dollars, and with only a few ingredients, you can provide yourself with an overnight tooth whitening treatment that will keep you smiling.
So, whether you cant justify the expense of professional whitening, or are looking for more natural DIY options, when used as directed, these simple, affordable pastes can provide you with a brighter smile!
Baking Soda and Coconut Oil
After brushing your teeth with toothpaste before bed, clean your toothbrush and dip it in a mixture of coconut oil and baking soda. Coconut oil prevents bacterial growth on the teeth, as it contains Lauric Acid – a natural antibacterial compound. This compound is not found anywhere else in nature in such high abundance as in coconut oil. Lauric acid breaks down bacteria and prevents it from sticking to the surface of the teeth, thus preventing tooth decay. Furthermore, baking soda polishes the teeth as it is composed of abrasive “micro-beads” that are able to gently erode stains by scrubbing them off the enamel of the teeth. As you sleep, the coconut oil residues will remain between the crevices of your teeth and prevent bacterial reproduction, improving your oral health.
For a tastier experience, you can grind some peppermint leaves into the coconut oil and baking soda mix, or add 2-3 drops of peppermint essential oil – it will make the mixture taste minty fresh.
Baking Soda and Strawberries
Another very common way to whiten teeth naturally overnight is through applying malic acid onto the teeth. Malic acid arises from the chemical reaction that occurs when baking soda is mixed with crushed strawberries. Mix a teaspoon of baking soda with one large strawberry until a paste forms. Use the paste the same way as you would with any other toothpaste. This treatment should be done once a week (but not more often than once a week, as malic acid can erode away your enamel if used too frequently). When you wake up, brush your teeth with your regular daily toothpaste.
Basil Toothpaste
Surprisingly, basil is another ingredient used in home remedies due to having a reputation for whitening teeth. If you want to try whitening with this herb, dry out some fresh basil leaves. Once the leaves have dried, you will want to grind them until they are in powder form. Once you have your basil powder, you can either rub it directly onto your teeth, or mix it into your toothpaste before you brush your teeth at night. It is recommended that you repeat this process regularly in order to maximize your results.
