How to Whiten Teeth Fast: 19 Ways to Brighten Your Smile

There is a warning, however: if you brush too often with baking soda, you could wear away at the enamel on your teeth. It is safe (and effective), however, to brush with a baking soda mixture once a week. At that rate, "it's not abrasive enough to wear down your enamel," says Jennifer Jablow, DDS, a cosmetic dentist in New York City.

If you're wondering how to whiten teeth with baking soda, it's actually pretty simple. All you need is baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and your toothbrush. Dampen your toothbrush under the faucet, then squirt a bit of peroxide over the bristles. Next, dip the brush inside the baking soda box, remove, and brush for two minutes like you normally would with toothpaste. Rinse with lukewarm water, and you're good to go.

11. Try Oil Pulling

Oil pulling is the process of swishing unrefined, cold-pressed organic coconut oil (or sunflower oil or sesame oil) around in your mouth for 5 to 45 minutes before spitting it out in order to whiten your teeth and get rid of any toxins in your mouth. This teeth whitening method was first found in ancient Ayurvedic texts, and even Gwyneth Paltrow swears by it.

Why does it work? "The oil absorbs plaque (which is made of bacteria) that is sitting on your teeth, which in turn makes them brighter," explains Marc Lowenberg, D.D.S., of Lowenberg, Lituchy & Kantor Dentistry in New York City, who advocates oil pulling. "I've noticed fresher breath, whiter teeth, and less bleeding around the gums when I floss," he says.

12. Rub Your Teeth With Vaseline

Another (if not slightly strange) trick to keeping red wine stains away? When sipping red wine, coat your front teeth with Vaseline to protect against staining, says Gregg Lituchy, D.D.S., also of Lowenberg, Lituchy & Kantor Dentistry. The Vaseline will act as a barrier between the pigment and your enamel.

13. Rinse with Apple Cider Vinegar Once a Week

Another trick for how to make teeth whiter in 3 minutes or less? Rinse with apple cider vinegar, which will eat away at the surface stains on your teeth. It's powerful, so there's no need use a lot of the vinegar. Dilute it by adding one teaspoon of the apple cider vinegar to a cup of water. Take a sip, and swish it around your mouth for 1-2 minutes before spitting it out and rinsing with water. Since too much apple cider vinegar can harm tooth enamel, limit your apple cider vinegar rinses to once a week. It's effective and fast.

14. Cut Back on Sugar

A diet filled with too much sugar can led to tooth decay, gingivitis, cavities and plaque—all of which can dim your pearly whites. You don't have to cut our sugar completely, but if you're trying to get whiter teeth, keep an eye on how much of it you're consuming. For reference, the American Heart Association recommends limiting your sugar intake to 25 grams (or 100 calories) for women and 37.5 grams (or 150 calories) for men.

15. Don't Smoke

Smoking causes teeth to yellow and decay, and can even cause tooth loss. Furthermore, the exposure to nicotine leaves your mouth unable to effectively fight off infection, which causes plaque to build up and bacteria to run rampant. In addition to the myriad of reasons smoking harms your overall health, it will also hinder your efforts to whiten your teeth.

16. Keep a Teeth Whitening Pen in Your Purse

Dentists recommend using touch-up teeth whitening pens after you've consumed dark-colored foods or drinks (think marinara sauce, spinach, etc.). They'll help ensure that these dark pigments don't sit on the surface of your teeth long enough to stain, so it's a good idea to toss some in your purse. Try the Go Smile Whitening Pen.

17. Zap Stains at Your Dentist's Office

The quickest, most dramatic way to whiten is to get an in-office bleaching at a dentist's office. Using professional-strength hydrogen peroxide and special lights or lasers, your dentist can remove even deep stains in about an hour. It'll cost you, though—probably between $500 and $1,200. And it's not totally painless for most people; the bleach can cause a significant burning sensation.

18. Try an At-Home Whitening Kit

The best teeth whitening kits are designed to hold a (milder) hydrogen peroxide solution against your teeth as closely as possible for an extended period of time each day. You can get custom-made trays from your dentist that fit your teeth exactly (plus stronger peroxide), but if that's too pricey, generic trays and stick-on strips are also great options. In fact, for many people, they can yield the same results as in-office bleaching, only over a longer period of time (around six weeks). Even if you already got an in-office bleaching, it's a good idea to maintain your results at home with a tray or strips. Avoid trays, however, that were not created with a mold of your mouth; the peroxide can leak out and irritate your gums.