16 Simple Ways To Get White Teeth Overnight

Get rid of unsightly stains and achieve a radiant smile with these quick and easy ways.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Zeel Gandhi, BAMS
Written by Kushneet Kukreja, MS (Biotechnology)
Edited by Arshiya Syeda, BA (Literature & Psychology), PG Diploma
Fact-checked by Dipti Sharma, MA (English)  • 

Yellow or stained teeth are not only visually unappealing but may also make you feel self-conscious and interfere with your confidence. While cosmetic dentists can use strips or whitening fluids to remove stains from your teeth, the procedures are often expensive and may take multiple appointments. An alternative is to look for ways to get white teeth overnight using effective home remedies.

Home remedies for teeth whitening are popular as, unlike dental procedures, they pose little to no risk of weakening or damaging your natural teeth. Additionally, they are inexpensive and do not require insurance or burning a hole in your pocket to be effective. You can use ingredients that are probably already in your kitchen or cupboard.

As Charlie Chaplin said, “You will find that life is still worthwhile if you just smile.” So, let’s check out some of the most effective home remedies for teeth whitening in this article. Keep reading and you may find something that’ll help you get back your pretty pearls back.

protip_icon Trivia
The practice of teeth whitening started around 4000 years ago in ancient Egypt. The Egyptians used white vinegar and pumice stone to prepare the whitening paste.

How To Get White Teeth Naturally Overnight

Top Teeth Whitening Methods You Can Try

1. Apple Cider Vinegar For White Teeth

Ways to get white teeth overnight using apple cider vinegar
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You Will Need
  • 1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • A cup of water
What You Have To Do
  1. Add the vinegar to the water and mix well.
  2. Gargle with this water before brushing your teeth.
How Often You Should Do This

Do this 2-3 times in a week in the mornings.

Why This Works

Apple cider vinegar contains mild acids that can remove the yellow stains from your teeth and make them whiter with usage (1).

2. Baking Soda And Lime Juice For Teeth Whitening

Ways to get white teeth overnight using baking soda and lime juice
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You Will Need
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon lime/lemon juice
  • Toothbrush
What You Have To Do
  1. Mix the baking soda and lemon juice.
  2. With the toothbrush, apply this paste on your teeth.
  3. Leave it on for 2-3 minutes and then rinse your mouth with water.
How Often You Should Do This

Repeat this twice a week initially, and then use it once in 7-10 days.

Why This Works

Sodium bicarbonate, commonly known as baking soda, is a common ingredient found in nearly every kitchen. It is mildly abrasive in nature and helps eradicate surface stains on the teeth. It is also alkaline in nature and helps reduce acidity inside the mouth (2). Lemon juice is slightly acidic in nature and may help to remove teeth discoloration. It is also a natural antiseptic agent (3).

Caution

Make sure you do not keep it on the teeth for long.

3. Banana Peel To Whiten Teeth

Ways to get white teeth overnight using banana peel
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You Will Need

Banana peel

What You Have To Do
  1. Cut the banana peel into small pieces.
  2. Take a piece and rub the inside of it on your teeth. Rub gently all over your teeth for a minute or two.
  3. Rinse your mouth with lukewarm water.
How Often You Should Do This

Do this once every day or every alternate day till you get whiter teeth.

Why This Works

Banana peel contains minerals like manganese and potassium that help in teeth whitening (4).

4. Coconut Oil To Whiten Teeth

Ways to get white teeth overnight using coconut oil
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You Will Need

Organic coconut oil

What You Have To Do
  1. Rub some coconut oil on your teeth with your fingers. Ensure you do not swallow it.
  2. Rinse with adequate water and follow with brushing.
How Often You Should Do This

Do this every day in the morning.

Why This Works

You may find this somewhat odd as coconut oil pulling is mostly known to be beneficial for skin and hair health. The lauric acidi  XA saturated medium-chain fatty acid found in many plants, animal fats and oils, including coconut oil and palm kernel oil. present in coconut oil eliminates the plaque-causing bacteria in the teeth (5). It also helps in keeping your breath fresh. Now, with this easy fix, you won’t need expensive tooth-whitening gel on your teeth anymore.

5. Orange Oil For Teeth Whitening

Ways to get white teeth overnight using orange oil
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You Will Need
  • 2-3 drops orange essential oil
  • Toothpaste
  • Toothbrush
What You Have To Do
  1. Put the orange oil on your toothbrush and then put toothpaste on it.
  2. Brush your teeth as usual.
How Often You Should Do This

Repeat this every morning for a week or so.

Why This Works

Orange essential oil is prepared from the rind of the fruit. The citrus content aids in teeth brightening, while the essential oil has antifungal properties and promotes gum health (6),(7).

6. Sesame Oil For Teeth Whitening

Ways to get white teeth overnight using sesame oil
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You Will Need

1 tablespoon sesame oil

What You Have To Do
  1. Swish the oil in your mouth for 15-20 minutes. Make sure you do this on an empty stomach. Do not ingest the oil.
  2. Swish it around slowly.
  3. After 20 minutes, spit the oil out and rinse your mouth thoroughly with water. You can add a pinch of Himalayan salt to this water if you like.
  4. Brush as usual.
How Often You Should Do This

Do this once in the morning.

Why This Works

Swishing with sesame oil may help prevent dental plaque, reduce stains, and help maintain your oral health (8).

7. Charcoal To Whiten Teeth

Ways to get white teeth overnight using charcoal
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You Will Need
  • Powdered activated charcoal
  • Toothbrush
What You Have To Do
  1. Wet the toothbrush and dip it in the charcoal.
  2. Brush your teeth with this using gentle circular motions for two minutes.
  3. Rinse your mouth thoroughly with water.
How Often You Should Do This

Use this remedy once or twice a week.

Why This Works

Activated charcoal absorbs impurities and whitens teeth effectively and quickly. It is also useful to prevent cavities and maintain teeth and gum health (9).

8. Gargling With Peroxide To Whiten Teeth

Ways to get white teeth overnight with peroxide gargles
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You Will Need
  • 1 cup 2-3.5% hydrogen peroxide
  • 1 cup distilled water
What You Have To Do
  1. Dilute the hydrogen peroxide with water.
  2. Gargle with this solution for 30-40 seconds and spit it out.
  3. Rinse your mouth with plain water.
How Often You Should Do This

Repeat this twice a week.

Why This Work

As it is a bleaching agent, hydrogen peroxide is an excellent remedy for whitening teeth at home. However, use it at a low concentration and sparingly, otherwise, it may damage your teeth (10). Dentists use higher concentrations of this in commercial teeth whitening treatments.

Caution

Do not ingest the solution. Also, do not use it on a daily basis.

Tina Engeo, a Youtuber, talked about her experience of using hydrogen peroxide for 4 days to whiten her teeth. She said, “I do feel that it got whiter and my teeth are pretty white to begin with (i).”

9. Salt And Lemon For Teeth Whitening

Ways to get white teeth overnight using salt and lemon
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You Will Need
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
What You Have To Do
  1. Mix the lemon juice and salt.
  2. Use this mixture as a toothpaste. Brush as usual.
How Often You Should Do This

Do this twice a week.

Why This Works

The natural bleaching quality of lemon juice removes yellow stains from the teeth, and the salt acts as a gentle exfoliant (11). It scrubs away the stains that have built up on the teeth.

10. Turmeric For Teeth Whitening

Ways to get white teeth overnight using turmeric
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You Will Need
  • 1/8 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • Toothbrush
What You Have To Do
  1. Sprinkle some turmeric powder on your toothbrush and brush your teeth.
  2. Leave the turmeric paste on for 2-3 minutes and then rinse your mouth thoroughly.
  3. Brush with your regular toothpaste after this.
How Often You Should Do This

The one-time use of this remedy will give you instant results. Repeat after a few days if required.

Why This Works

Do not let the coloring turmeric gives food (and your clothes after an unfortunate spill) scare you from using this remedy. The mild abrasive property of this herb helps remove deep stains from the teeth. It also makes your teeth and gums stronger and free of unhealthy microbes (12).

11. Epsom Salt For Teeth Whitening

Ways to get white teeth overnight using Epsom salt
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You Will Need
  • 1 part Epsom salt
  • 1 part water
  • Toothbrush
What You Have To Do
  1. Mix the Epsom salt and water so that the salt dissolves in the water.
  2. Brush your teeth with this.
  3. Add some more water to the remaining salt-water solution and gargle with it.
  4. Follow it up by gargling with plain water.
How Often You Should Do This

Repeat this 2-3 times a week.

Why This Works

This salt exfoliates the yellow layer of staining that has formed on the teeth. It is also antibacterial in nature (13).

12. Guava Leaves For Teeth Whitening

Ways to get white teeth overnight using guava leaves
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You Will Need

1-2 guava leaves

What You Have To Do
  1. Crush the guava leaves to get a coarse paste.
  2. Rub this on your teeth and leave it on for a minute or two.
  3. Rinse your mouth and brush your teeth as usual.
How Often You Should Do This

Repeat this every alternate day for a few days.

Why This Works

Guava leaves can be used to treat a variety of dental issues such as plaque, infections, and gum swelling. Its flavonoidsi  XA variety of naturally occurring substances found in many fruits and vegetables, often also rich in antioxidants. and phenols remove the oxidative stress caused on the teeth by different microorganisms, which is one of the reasons for the teeth staining (14).

13. Neem For Teeth Whitening

Ways to get white teeth overnight using neem
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You Will Need
  • 4-5 neem leaves
  • 1 ½ cups water
What You Have To Do
  1. Boil the neem leaves in warm water for a few minutes. Do not let the water heat up too much.
  2. Strain the solution and let it cool down to lukewarm temperature.
  3. Gargle with this water before or after brushing your teeth.
How Often You Should Do This

Repeat this every day or every alternate day.

Why This Works

Neem is a natural astringenti  XA substance that causes bodily tissues to contract, often externally used as a lotion or serum to reduce oiliness in the skin. and also a soothing agent. Its regular usage will ensure that your teeth and gums are healthy and without any stains (15).

14. Orange Peel For Teeth Whitening

Ways to get white teeth overnight using orange peel
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You Will Need

Orange peel

What You Have To Do
  1. Rub the inside of the orange peel on your teeth for a minute or two.
  2. Brush your teeth as usual with your regular toothpaste.
How Often You Should Do This

Do this every alternate day for a week or two to see results.

Why This Works

The acidic content of orange peels whitens teeth and also acts as an antimicrobial agent.

15. Strawberries For Teeth Whitening

Ways to get white teeth overnight using strawberries
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You Will Need
  • 1 strawberry
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
What You Have To Do
  1. Mash the strawberry and mix it with baking soda.
  2. Use a toothbrush or your finger to apply the mixture on your teeth. Leave it on for a few minutes.
  3. Rinse off and do another round of brushing with your regular toothpaste.
How Often You Should Do This

This can be done once a week.

Why This Works

The acids, namely malic acid and ascorbic acidi  XGenerally known as vitamin C, it is a white crystalline substance that functions as an antioxidant due to its high reducing capacity. , present in strawberries lighten the teeth stains. With a few uses, you will see that your teeth have become whiter and brighter (16).

16. Powdered Milk And Toothpaste For Teeth Whitening

Image: https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/powdered-milk-nutrients-bowl-spoon-2194145885

Image Alt text: Milk powder for teeth whitening

You Will Need

  • A pinch of powdered milk
  • Toothpaste
  • A toothbrush

What You Have To Do

  1. Take some toothpaste on the toothbrush and sprinkle a pinch of powdered milk on top.
  2. Brush your teeth as usual and rinse thoroughly with water.

How Often You Should Do This

This can be done once or twice a week.

Why This Works

Research suggests that non-sweetened dairy products may have the potential to act as complementary treatments for oral health (17). Moreover, ancient Romans used goat milk to keep their teeth white (18). While there aren’t enough studies regarding the teeth-whitening properties of powdered milk, anecdotal evidence claims that mixing milk powder with toothpaste may enhance its effects and contribute to strain-free and brighter teeth.

So, these were the home remedies for teeth whitening. Most of them might need a few repetitions to show effective results. Do not use more than the recommended amount of the ingredients as the natural acids present in them will damage the tooth enamel on excessive usage.

Let us now look at some other diet and nutrition recommendations that can help in teeth whitening.

What Are The Best Foods That Whiten Teeth?

  • Eating citrus fruits like oranges can be advantageous for your health as they are packed with nutrients and antioxidants (19). Their vitamin C content makes them suitable for nearly everyone. However, these fruits contain acids, which can erode the teeth enamel and cause deeply etched teeth stains. This does not mean you should stop eating lemons and oranges. Make sure you rinse your mouth thoroughly with water after eating such fruits every time to ensure the acids do not affect your teeth.
  • It would be a good idea to include plenty of crunchy vegetables and fruits in your diet. Examples include apple, celery, and carrots. Their abrasive texture will rub the teeth and peel off the yellow coating gradually.
  • Taking milk-based products can help balance the pH levels in the mouth. This aids in not providing the right breeding environment for microorganisms. By doing this, the microbes will not be able to secrete harmful chemicals that cause teeth staining.

Some foods and drinks need to be kept to a minimum to keep your pearlies white. They are:

  • A few foods with dark pigmentation can lead to teeth staining. It is better if you reduce their consumption. Examples are blueberries, soy sauce, and marinara sauce.
  • A refreshing morning tea or a cup of hot coffee after work is what most people cherish. However, these beverages and energy drinks lead to teeth staining, and, at times, can even lead to enamel erosion. It may not be possible to avoid such drinks and beverages at all times. However, try not to swish them in your mouth while sipping.
  • Use a straw to drink energy drinks and soda so that there is minimum direct contact of these with your teeth.
  • You must have heard this already. Quitting smoking not only offers you teeth whitening benefits, but it also helps your lungs and heart. Give up smoking in every form to improve the appearance of your teeth.
protip_icon Quick Tip
You may do flossing between your teeth daily. Try cleaning your tongue twice a week to prevent plaque formation. It will help prevent teeth discoloration.

Is It Bad To Get Your Teeth Whitened?

When done the right way, teeth whitening is not bad for your health. The bleaching agents are solely used on your teeth, and the process is carefully administered by a dentist. However, there is some debate regarding the effects of this procedure on the tooth enamel after a number of sittings.

Also, teeth whitening treatment is not a recommended procedure for pregnant women and nursing mothers.

Infographic: Top 8 Tips For Sparkling White Teeth

White teeth can give you the confidence to smile wholeheartedly. While there are dental procedures to whiten teeth, these can be expensive or damage your teeth. But with easy-to-follow home remedies, you can flaunt a flawless smile and improve your self-confidence. Check out the infographic below to learn more about how you can get white teeth without the trouble of dental sessions or breaking your budget.

top 8 tips for sparkling white teeth (infographic)

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

Download Infographic in PDF version

Yellow and stained teeth can dent your confidence and make your smile look unappealing. There are effective dental procedures to whiten teeth, but they are expensive and come with side effects in the long term. This makes it ideal to go for natural treatment options. Home remedies, including apple cider vinegar, baking soda and lime juice, banana peel, orange oil, turmeric, Epsom salt, etc., are effective in maintaining dental hygiene. Giving a try at them is certainly one of the best ways to whiten teeth overnight without burning a hole in your pocket.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are yellow teeth permanent?

No. Yellow teeth aren’t permanent and can be whitened. Dr. Bill Dorfman, a cosmetic dentist, says, “Of all the colors that are considered discolored teeth, yellow is typically the easiest to whiten. If you have gray teeth, they won’t whiten very well with either professional or take-home systems. But, yellow teeth tend to be the most easily corrected with either professional in-office tooth whitening or any of the take-home tooth whitening options. So, the answer is ‘No,’ they do not have to be permanent.”

At what age do teeth turn yellow?

Teeth may start to turn yellow during the 20s and 30s. Dr. Dorfman explains, “Teeth are slightly porous and, over your lifetime, will pick up stain. If you smoke or drink a lot of dark liquids like coffee and tea, over your lifetime, your teeth will tend to pick up the pigmentation and stain from these products. So, it’s really dependent on how frequently you expose your teeth to external sources that will stain them. On the other hand, some people’s teeth tend to resist stains more than others, so it’s literally a case-by-case scenario. But, most people tend to notice that their teeth are starting to yellow in their 20s and 30s, and that’s a good time to start using any kind of tooth whitening product.”

What is the safest way to whiten teeth?

Custom-fitted teeth whitening trays are safe and effective for teeth whitening. Baking soda is also considered a safe and natural option for whitening teeth.

Why are my teeth yellow when I brush them everyday?

Smoking or drinking coffee, tea or wine can cause yellow stains on teeth despite regular brushing habits.

Does brushing your teeth 3 times a day make them whiter?

No, regular brushing is not effective against stains. It is effective against oral pathogens and cavity formation.

How do celebrities have such white teeth?

Celebrities may frequently visit dentists, use veneersi  XThey are tooth-colored, small, designed shells intended to cover the front of the teeth to enhance facial appearance. or regular teeth whitening procedures like teeth polishing to get white teeth.

Do electric toothbrushes make teeth whiter?

Electric toothbrushes can remove yellow stains from teeth and make them appear whiter but they cannot make teeth whiter than their natural color.

Key Takeaways

  • Home remedies for teeth whitening do not weaken or harm your natural teeth and are very effective.
  • Using natural ingredients like apple cider vinegar, baking soda and lime juice, banana peel, orange oil, and turmeric, help maintain dental hygiene also.
  • These remedies are gentle on the gums and teeth, while still effectively able to combat tooth decay and eliminate bad breath.
  • Eating carrots, celery, and apples helps the teeth gradually peel off the yellow coating.
ways to get white teeth overnight

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Learn 3 easy ways to whiten your yellow teeth naturally. Click on this video and start your journey towards a brighter, whiter smile without harsh chemicals or expensive treatments.

Personal Experience: Source

References

Articles on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and academic research papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Read our editorial policy to learn more.

  1. Vinegar: Medicinal Uses and Antiglycemic Effect
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1785201/
  2. Effect of Sodium Bicarbonate Mouth Wash on Salivary pH and Interleukin-1β Levels among Smokers
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7274825/
  3. Efficacy Study of whitening Toothpaste containing Lemon (Citrus Limon (L) and Salt (Sodium Carbonate)
    https://irispublishers.com/ojdoh/fulltext/efficacy-study-of-whitening-toothpaste-containing-lemon-citrus-limon-l-and-salt-sodium-carbonate.ID.000538.php
  4. Whitening efficacy of popular natural products on dental enamel
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9645194/
  5. Effect of coconut oil in plaque related gingivitis — A preliminary report
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4382606/
  6. Effect of Citrus aurantium L. Essential Oil on Streptococcus mutans Growth, Biofilm Formation and Virulent Genes Expression
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7827172/
  7. Essential Oils and Antifungal Activity
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5748643/
  8. Tooth brushing, oil pulling and tissue regeneration: A review of holistic approaches to oral health
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3131773/
  9. Toothache and Self-Medication Practices: A Study of Patients Attending a Niger Delta Tertiary Hospital in Nigeria
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4250986/
  10. Effect of bleaching teeth with hydrogen peroxide on the morphology, hydrophilicity, mechanical and tribological properties of enamel
    https://comum.rcaap.pt/bitstream/10400.26/20052/1/Artigo18_APSerro_Manuscript.pdf
  11. Comparison between the effect of commercially available chemical teeth whitening paste and teeth whitening paste containing ingredients of herbal origin on human enamel
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6369603/
  12. Uses of turmeric in dentistry: An update
    https://www.ijdr.in/article.asp?issn=0970-9290;year=2009;volume=20;issue=1;spage=107;epage=109;aulast=Chaturvedi
  13. Antimicrobial properties of salt (NaCl) used for the preservation of natural casings
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16943065/
  14. Psidium guajava: A review on its potential as an adjunct in treating periodontal disease
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4127827/
  15. Azadirachta indica: A herbal panacea in dentistry – An update
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4441161/
  16. In vitro comparison of natural tooth-whitening remedies and professional tooth-whitening systems
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10024105/
  17. Milk and oral health
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21335990/
  18. Essential principles of tooth whitening
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9442571/
  19. Phytochemical profile and antioxidant activity of physiological drop of citrus fruits
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23301602/
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