Since summer is here, you may be relaxing at the beach with friends and family. While you probably do not want to think about the upcoming school year, the early part of summer break is a great time to plan your first day look. Of course, without a bright, white smile, you may lack the confidence to pull off your new, stylish outfit. Thankfully, reducing the stains on your teeth and improving the overall brightness of your white smile is easy using a few unique options. Using this guide on out-of-the-box techniques, you can reduce stains and brighten your smile for the first day of school.

Oil

Originating thousands of years ago with the people of Ayurveda, oil pulling is becoming a popular trend today thanks to its amazing health benefits. The process of oil pulling involves swishing oil in the mouth for 20 minutes to rid the body of bacteria and toxins. Oil pulling is beneficial to your underlying health, but it can also reduce excess food particles and bacteria in your mouth, which may be staining your teeth.

With summer at its start, begin pulling oil each night to reduce tooth discoloration. Use the following steps:

1. Place a teaspoon of sesame, olive, or coconut oil in your mouth.
2. Swish the oil around in your mouth for 20 minutes. Use strong swishing motions in an attempt to "pull" particles and bacteria out of your mouth and body.
3. After the time, spit the oil into a trash can. Since the oil will contain unhealthy toxins, avoid spitting into your sink.
4. Rinse your mouth with water before brushing your teeth as normal.

Bentonite Clay

Visit your local health foods or vitamin store and purchase bentonite clay to improve the look of your smile before school starts. The clay is composed of volcanic ash, which may sound dangerous, but it is actually an effective, gentle option for reducing buildup on your tooth enamel.

In a small container with a lid, combine ½ teaspoon of bentonite clay with ¼ cup of water. Mix the ingredients by shaking the container. Use the solution to rinse for 2 to 3 minutes each day.

The bentonite clay rinse with absorb food particles and bacteria from your teeth while removing impurities in your mouth. This not only decreases surface discoloration on your teeth, but also improves your underlying health.

Charcoal

While surprising to hear, using charcoal can also reduce stains on your tooth enamel. Of course, using your grilling charcoal is not necessary, since activated charcoal is available in capsule form at your local health foods and vitamin retailer.

So, how does it work?

After one man swallowed activated charcoal with a lethal dose of poison and survived in 1831, others began using the fine, black dust to treat other ailments in their body. This dusty ingredient is capable of absorbing toxins from the body, but it can also absorb severe stains from your teeth.

To improve the color and brightness of your teeth before your first day of school using activated charcoal, complete the following steps:

1. Break open one capsule of activated charcoal.
2. Dampen your toothbrush under your sink faucet.
3. Sprinkle the dust from inside the capsule directly onto your damp toothbrush.
4. Scrub the activated charcoal over your teeth using traditional brushing motions.
5. Allow the charcoal to rest on your teeth for 5 minutes. The charcoal will make your teeth appear black and dirty, but do not worry since it will rinse away quickly.
6. Rinse your toothbrush under the sink faucet before brushing the charcoal off your teeth.
7. Rinse your mouth with warm water before brushing with traditional toothpaste.

The early part of summer break is a great time to begin improving the look of your smile. Your smile will be ready for the first day of school using these out-of-the-box ideas.  For more tips and ideas, contact a local cosmetic dentistry clinic.