A White Smile for the Peace Sign Pose Picture

   In America, it is commonly known that mixing tooth paste, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide helps whitening your teeth. Although that is not common knowledge here in Japan one can still easily buy baking soda and hydrogen peroxide.

  In my experience this teeth whitening method does work. I saw great improvement in a couple of weeks. Much faster than when using an expensive tooth paste. Yes, I was deceived by the photo-shopped white smile image on the package.

  To get baking soda, go to your local supermarket and look for 重曹(じゅうそう・juusou). It is usually in the cold products area. I recommend getting the small box from Tansan (タンサン) for it is very cheap and contains more than enough. If there is a cheaper option available you can get that one instead. Just make sure it has the kanji so baking soda (重曹) on the package.

  For hydrogen peroxide look for Oxydol (オキシドール), the most common brand. Make sure it has the complicated kanji for hydrogen peroxide, 過酸化水素(かさんかすいそ・kasankasuiso), under the label. If it is not available at the supermarket you can find it at any drugstore. There are a few bottle sizes available, but the 100ml one is good for a couple of months.

  In total it shouldn't be more that 500 yen. Mix a small of amount of these with your toothpaste once a week and avoid the gums when brushing. Some people add a few drops of lemon juice to the mix, but it is not necessary.  For better and faster results I recommend cutting back on some of the things that can stain and damage your teeth. Such as cigarettes, black coffee/tea, soy sauce, GoGocurry, etc.

  I hope you found this information helpful!  If you have found other alternatives to whiten your teeth please let us know on a comment below!