How to Make Your Own Teeth Whitening Paste

According to a survey by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD), the most important thing people want to change about their smile is the whiteness of their teeth, and almost 100 percent of those surveyed believe a great smile is one of their most important "social assets." So it's no surprise that there's so many whitening products on the market today to do this. But brighter smiles have been desirable long before modern solutions were available, and making a homemade teeth whitening paste is a fun and safe way to brighten your smile when used in tandem with professional care products.
How to Whiten Teeth at Home
Most products today use carbamide peroxide, some of which breaks down into hydrogen peroxide – the main bleaching agent, according to the American Dental Association (ADA). And studies show bleaching is generally safe. As a general rule for Do It Yourself (DIY) whitening, using everyday solutions in moderation – like baking soda, coconut oil and a small amount of hydrogen peroxide – can make an effect. Several homemade solutions start with baking soda as the base, combined with other natural ingredients for consistency. Here are a few of them.
Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda
A simple toothpaste consisting of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda can create a brighter smile. Baking soda combined with water, explains MDHealth.com, releases free radicals that break down stain-causing molecules on tooth enamel. You can then brush these away with products like the Colgate^® Max Fresh^® toothbrush, which gently removes stains and exposes a brighter smile. Here's your best approach:

• Use less baking soda than hydrogen peroxide, and make sure your paste isn't gritty.
• Combine about two tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide with one tablespoon of baking soda.
• Stir it into a paste and start brushing.
• Let the paste stand about a minute and then rinse.

It's always important to thoroughly rinse your mouth afterward so no hydrogen peroxide or baking soda is left over. And above all, limit use of your paste to two or three times a week. Excessive use of baking soda can have the reverse effect of cleaning, breaking down your enamel over time and causing sensitivity in your teeth. So, make sure you maintain your regular oral care regimen.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a multipurpose household product; you might be surprised to learn it also has natural whitening properties, per Reader's Digest. Using it in conjunction with baking soda actually helps to remove stains and whiten your teeth. You can also gargle with it to a similar effect over time. And although results aren't instant, using apple cider vinegar over a period of weeks can make a difference. To make your teeth whitening paste, two parts apple cider vinegar to one part baking soda is ideal. Again, less is more when it comes to baking soda. Try this solution a few times a week, or simply use the apple cider vinegar as a mild mouthrinse along with your daily oral care.
Coconut Oil and Peppermint Leaf
Although research is still inconclusive to the effect of coconut oil on oral health and bacteria, it has been considered for its stain-decreasing properties. Coconut oil, with a small amount of mashed peppermint leaves for a minty finish, can help remove some of the surface bacteria that yellows teeth. According to AuthorityNutrition, coconut oil contains lauric acid, an agent that breaks down bacteria. Like apple cider vinegar, it's not an immediate solution, so using it over time will have the best effect. But unlike baking soda-based whiteners, it's safe to use coconut oil daily and any measurement can work.
Making your own teeth whitening paste is fun, increases the brightness of your smile and attacks the foods and drinks that are the worst offenders of staining teeth in the first place. To this end, stay away from any citric-based homemade solution, like lemon, orange or strawberry. The acid in these fruits can break down and harm your enamel.
Remember that using homemade tooth whitening paste as your only oral care tool isn't optimal for good mouth health. Sticking to a normal routine of proper flossing and brushing, along with your regular dentist visits twice a year, is the best way to maintain a healthy, bright smile.

Read More

How To Make a Ring with a Coin in home Diy do it yourself

Hi!
In this Instructables I will be teaching you guys how to make a simple ring out of a coin. Its a really fun build, and it is not that tool-intensive, so anyone can make it. Enjoy!

Step 1: What coins can I use?

Before you make a ring, you must pick out a good coin that will suit your style and size.
-The coin you choose must be approximately 5 millimeters larger than the diameter of the finger you wish to wear it on.
- Go online and check out what metals are used in your coin. Personally, I don't like anything that contains copper in it because of its tendency to discolor. Remember: just because a coin is "silver" colored doesn't necessarily mean it doesn't contain copper, it could be nickel-plated copper (i.e the American 25 cent piece).
I recommend the British 1 pound piece (Nickel plated Brass), or the Chinese 1 yuan piece (Nickel plated Steel) which is the one I will use in this instructables.
Both these coins are available for exchange in most banks.

Step 2: Tools

The tools needed for this project are:
-Hammer
-flat, hard surface (anvil, another hammer, meat tenderizer flat side)
-file (can even be done with a swiss army knife file)
-drill
-sandpaper (from medium->high grit)
-polish (i used Mother's Mag and Aluminum polish)
-SAFETY GLASSES
Optional:
-Drill press(makes drilling holes easier)
-Rotary tool(makes filing the inside down super easier)

Step 3: Shaping your ring

Start by hitting the coin with a hammer on its side so that it starts to flatten and grow wider. Rotate the coin as you do this process or else the coin may become an oval. Check periodically that your ring is circular.

Step 4: Correct size?

Measure the diameter of a ring that fits you, and use that measurement as a guide for how big your ring needs to be. This can also be done by making a ring out of a small strip of paper and measuring the diameter that best fits you.
As you hammer away, make sure to pull out your ruler and check the ring's diameter so that you don't accidentally make it too small.

Step 5: Drilling out the inside

After you have finished hammering away at your ring, it is time to remove the unneeded center of the coin-ring. There are many different ways to do this depending on the tools you have at your disposal. This is the longest and most tedious step of the entire project.
For example:
Using a drill and a file, drill 2 holes side-by-side so that you can stick a file through and grind away.
Using a rotary tool, select a decent grinding bit that can fit through the 1 or 2 holes you have drilled through the coin and grind away(this is the method I used)!
Using a drill press: use a large drill bit and drill out the center in one go.

Step 6: Smoothing out the inside

Using a rotary tool or sandpaper smooth out any jagged edges on the inside of the ring. Make sure it is completely smooth on the inside for a comfortable ring. Start by using a medium grit sandpaper and working your way up to a fine grit one.
Pro tip: Wrap a piece of sandpaper around a pencil or a dowel to make sanding the inside easier.

Step 7: Sanding the outside

Similar to what we did on the previous step, sand the outside of the ring until it is completely smooth. No scratches should be visible on the ring's exterior after this step.

Step 8: Polish

We're almost done!
Now that the ring is all smooth, its time to apply some polish so that it looks shiny. The polish I use Mag and Aluminum Polish made by Mothers. It is only about $5 on Amazon and lasts forever.
How to apply polish:
Rub a layer of polish over the entire ring very thoroughly.
Wipe all of it off with a cloth (i used an old sock)
Repeat until it is super shiny, almost a mirror finish.

Step 9: Done!

Finished at last!
This ring will stay shiny for quite a long time if you did the sanding and polishing correctly.
If it ever gets scratched, just sand the scratch to oblivion and re-apply the polish to restore it back to new.
Although I have not tried it yet, these rings can be engraved with fancy designs that would make them even cooler.

Step 10: Before and After

Thanks for viewing this instructables!
If you've enjoyed please vote for me in the Metalworking and Wedding contests!
Special thanks to Sean Sutedjo for showing me this project and to my brother, Justin, for taking pictures of the entire process.

Read More