10 Best Ways to Whiten Your Teeth at Home

It seems like all good things ruin our chances at having naturally glowing chompers. Red wine, Starbucks, candy — need I say more? Luckily, there are many ways to combat teeth stains without having to completely ditch our favorite vices. For many, professional teeth whitening works wonders, but often times, it comes with a steep price tag and leaves you looking like Ross on that one episode of Friends . To all of my fellow girls out there on a tight budget (holla!), if you're sick of constantly googling "how to get a brighter smile," only to find pricey solutions that involve making appointments and emptying your wallet, I've rounded up the best ways to gain pearly whites without even having to ditch your PJs.

From natural Pinterest-ready remedies to at-home quick fixes, you can see results in an hour by choosing the right whitening powder, or you can switch up your regular hygiene routine by choosing a self-timed electric toothbrush that removes pesky plaque. Follow these tips before your next night out with your squad, and you can save time, money, and the stress of dragging that tedious little teeth whitening effect over your mouth on your photo editing app (#thestruggle).

Use A Self-Timed Electric Toothbrush

Philips Sonicare Electric Toothbrush, $40, Amazon

Most of us don't brush for as long as we should. This electric toothbrush includes a self-timer that will do the work for you: alerting you when it's actually okay to put down the brush. The charge lasts two weeks, plus, bristles work overtime to remove twice as much plaque as your manual brush. That means a brighter smile over time, and you don't even need to remember to replace the brush head — the bristle colors fade when it's time for a new one.

Remove Stains With Organic, Vegan Teeth Whitening Powder

Smart Ash Organic Whitening Tooth Powder , $30, Amazon

This all-natural whitener is perfect for anyone with sensitive teeth and contains natural mint to give you your freshest-smelling breath. It's important to use a product regularly when trying to achieve a glowing smile, and this one contains no harmful or artificial ingredients that wear down enamel for temporary results. It can even be used as a gingivitis-fighting toothpaste alternative! Users rave about this product, saying they're completely hooked after seeing its quick results.

Accelerate Whitening With An LED Handheld Whitening Light

AuraGlow Teeth Whitening Accelerator Light , $20, Amazon

Snag yourself a teeth-whitening pen and this fast-acting LED light to break down stains on the surface of teeth for better whitening results. It has five LED whitening lights that accelerate your gel's effects, and its built-in timer means you can use it while getting lost in your favorite Netflix show. The tool causes no sensitivity to teeth, and one user saw results in only a few days!

Whiten On-The-Go With A Brush Tip Whitening Pen

SmileActives Tooth Whitening Pen (Vanilla Mint), $15, Amazon

To touch up your smile throughout the day, carry a twistable, easy brush-on whitening pen in your bag. This pen will have you cheesin' with teeth that are 10 times brighter — and each pen lasts up to three weeks. The delicious, quickly absorbed vanilla mint gel won't leave a gross peroxide taste behind, and it's safe to use up to four times daily.

Try A Dentist-Recommended Teeth Whitening Foam

Brush & Bright Advanced Teeth Whitening Foam , $30, Amazon

Many users saw noticeable results from this sensitivity-free whitening foam in less than one week! Using a peroxide-free oxygenation technique, it works to dissolve unwanted particles from the surface of your teeth. Just brush it on with a toothbrush, and give it about two minutes to work whitening wonders on your chompers. (Bonus: The foam is good for your gums, and its bubbly lather means total teeth coverage.)

Rinse, Don't Brush

TheraBreath Fresh Breath Oral Rinse (Pack Of 2), $16, Amazon

When you get the impulse to brush after drinking your next soda or eating a stain-inducing snack, rinse with this No. 1 best-selling mouthwash, instead. Brushing immediately can actually push enamel-harming acids further into your teeth. This mouthwash doesn't sting or burn like others, and its ability to neutralize odor-causing bacteria destroys even the nastiest of morning breath (we've all been there).

Switch To An Ultra-Whitening Toothpaste With Tea Tree Oil

Kiss My Face Gel Teeth Whitening Toothpaste , $6, Amazon

Tea Tree Oil is a natural antiseptic that comes in handy when working toward a whiter smile. Swap out your normal paste for this cruelty-free, natural alternative that will remove plaque and stains with Icelandic Moss, Xylitol, and Tea Tree Oil. Combine this with your electric toothbrush and get ready for a brand new set of pearly whites.

Gargle With Apple Cider Vinegar In The Morning (Yes, Really)

Bragg Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar, $5, Amazon

Get in the habit of waking up with apple cider vinegar. This one's the No. 1 best-selling brand because of its purity — just add half a teaspoon to a cup of water and gargle before brushing. This will kick stubborn stains out for good! (While I'll admit, it's not the best taste to wake up to — you'll thank yourself when you never have to untag another Facebook photo again because of yellow teeth.)

Mix Baking Soda & Lemon, Then Apply With A Sonic Toothbrush

Dazzlepro Travel Sonic Toothbrush, $9, Amazon

Mix a few teaspoons of baking soda with some fresh lemon juice to make a paste, then apply it with a stain-erasing toothbrush. This brush dishes out 28,000 sonic pulses a minute, while DuPont bristles gently lift yellow surface stains from teeth. Leave the DIY paste on your teeth for about one minute before rising (any longer, and the acidic lemon can damage enamel). Plus, the sonic brush is travel-size — perfect for keeping your smile bright and white, no matter where you go.

Start Using Fast-Acting Teeth Whitening Strips

Lumeeno Teeth Whitening Strips (28 Count) , $10, Amazon

Users praise these easy-to-use strips for how quickly they saw pearly white results, especially considering the realistic price point. Each package will give you a two-week supply, and they're 100-percent safe on enamel. The tasty mint flavor rivals other less-appealing whitening strips, and you don't have to bother with trays, gels, or pens.

Bustle may receive a portion of sales from products purchased from this article, which was created independently from Bustle's editorial and sales departments.

Images: Fotolia (1); Amazon (10)