There’s something refreshing about taking a forward thinking and natural approach to your dental health, and it’s even more exciting when you learn that you can whiten your teeth without harsh chemicals and expensive treatments. For generations, there have been certain foods that people knew that eating would help to whiten your enamel, and we’ve brought some of this age-old wisdom to you in this article. Before you invest in expensive treatments and harsh chemicals to brighten your smile, try the foods on this list for an effective and delicious solution to your dental health!
Strawberries, Not Just For Shortcake
While strawberries may leave a nasty stain on a white tablecloth, the natural acids in them are perfect for clearing up stains on your teeth. While this may sound like a perfect excuse to eat them, you’ll get better results if you mash them up and apply them to your teeth like a paste. After five minutes have passed gobble the paste down and rinse with water followed by brushing and flossing. You may want to consider changing your flavor of toothpaste if you do this, as mint and strawberries don’t play well together.
Celery, Carrots, and Apples
These fruits tend to cause the mouth to emit more saliva, which is fantastic for whitening your teeth as saliva is one of your bodies main weapons in fighting bacteria that cause tooth decay. Additionally, they help kill bacteria that cause bad breath, and the crunchy nature of these snacks also serves as another layer of scrubbing to remove the plaque on your teeth.
Pineapples and Oranges
It’s probably common sense that if the acid in strawberries can help whiten your teeth that the bright citrus flavor of oranges and pineapples were going to behave similarly. The tartness of these fruits brings about the same saliva production as apples, carrots, and celery. Unlike strawberries, however, you’re not going to want to apply them directly to your teeth as the strong acidity can be bad for your enamel.
Baking Soda
Here we have a natural substance that happens to do a great job of removing bacteria, plaque, and tartar from your teeth. Additionally, it does an excellent job of whitening your teeth which is why it’s a favorite ingredient in toothpaste. If you’re really wanting to get a powerful whitening experience try brushing with straight baking soda, but only do this occasionally or risk damaging your teeth.
These natural remedies are just a few of the ways you can take care of your dental health without additional brushing, flossing, or mouthwash. Don’t make the mistake of thinking these will replace those critical practices, but by working some of the above foods into your diet each day, you’ll discover greater health in combination with whiter teeth. If you’re looking for professional guidance, give Dr. Bob Dokhanchi a call at Fox Valley Dental in Aurora, IL today. They’ve been helping patients live great lives with beautiful smiles through their practice by providing excellent dental care and solid advice for day to day living habits to protect your smile.