Today's generation is more preoccupied than ever with delaying the signs of aging and preserving a youthful appearance  for as long as possible. Whereas people once took losing teeth as a given, today they not only want to keep a full mouth of teeth until they die, but they also want them to stay white. Today, Americans spend a lot of money every year to whiten their teeth, but most of it is spent in dentist offices.

With increased awareness about the potential risks involved when ingesting or applying chemicals to the body, people are increasingly searching for natural methods of staying healthy. To keep your teeth white, you have the option of purchasing synthetic bleaching agents, having your teeth whitened by a dentist like Dr. George Yarzabek, DDS, or choosing all natural products – available in your favorite supermarket.

Ingredients for a homemade teeth bleaching paste:

• Baking soda – This is chosen for its abrasive qualities, which helps to scrape stuck on plague and food particles from your teeth.
• Hydrogen peroxide – This is chosen for its oxidizing action, which helps to kill bacteria and other agents in your mouth that lead to stained teeth. Hydrogen peroxide has also been found to offer protection against inflamed and bleeding gums.
• Peppermint essential oil – This is chosen for its ability to control bad breath and create a clean, refreshing feeling in your mouth. Peppermint essential oil has also been found to kill anaerobic bacteria in your mouth, which are the type of bacteria that grow in low oxygen environments and can cause gum disease.

Instructions for making a homemade teeth bleaching paste:

1. Put 1 Tbsp baking soda in a small bowl.
2. Add 5 drops of 3% hydrogen peroxide.
3. Add 1 – 3 drops of Peppermint essential oil.
4. Mix well with a fork or small whisk.
5. Scoop enough to cover the head of your toothpaste, and begin to brush.
6. Do not swallow the mixture. Add more to your brush as needed.

Caution: Don't use this bleaching paste more than twice a week because it is abrasive and can erode your tooth enamel – which will lead to further staining and eventually sensitivity.

Note: For variety, you can substitute cinnamon, spearmint, clove, or myrrh essential oil for the peppermint essential oil. All four of those essential oils have properties that inhibit the growth and spread of bacteria in the mouth and myrrh and clove all have soothing agents that help relieve tooth pain and heal mouth sores.