In today’s world it seems like everyone wants to be beautiful and go green. While this may seem a bit counterproductive or even impossible, when it comes to having a beautiful smile and teeth whitening, it most definitely is not. There may be hundreds of products on the market that promise a whiter smile, but there are also many in the pantry which are not chemically abrasive and also more of a bargain.
An apple a day is said to keep the doctor away, but they are also great for keeping those pearly whites dazzling. Apples are great for whitening teeth in two ways. The first is the fact that they are naturally mildly acidic, which helps cut through the plaque and food residue that is left on teeth after meals. The other way is their rough flesh. This flesh acts as nature’s toothbrush as the teeth make contact with the apple. Apples are also rich in fiber, which will help to make teeth stronger. It is recommended to drink a glass of water after eating an apple to wash away the acid which may cling to teeth. Other fruits and vegetables are also good for achieving the same thing. If an apple is not in sight, grab some celery or carrots and start munching to whiter teeth.
Another fruitful way to whiten teeth is by turning strawberries into a paste. Like the apple, the natural acid and vitamin C found in the strawberry acts as an astringent – leaving teeth whiter. While eating a handful of strawberries is likely to help some, it is recommended to crush a few strawberries and combine them with a teaspoon of baking soda in order to form a paste. Use more or less baking soda in order to form a nice paste. Using a toothbrush or cotton swab, spread the mixture onto the teeth and let sit for five to ten minutes. Afterward, rinse the mouth with water and make sure there are no seeds stuck between teeth. Because there are no harmful chemicals involved, this may be repeated weekly or even daily.
One more home remedy to teeth whitening which involves baking soda is an age old habit which dates back countless years. This involves mixing the baking soda with a few squirts of lemon juice to make a paste. Like with the strawberries, spread the paste onto the teeth but only leave on for one minute. The baking soda helps to lift surface stains, while the lemon juice serves as a natural bleach. Because of the high amount of acidity in lemons and the abrasiveness of the baking soda, this method should not be practiced more than once a week. If the lemon juice is too acidic, it can very easily be replaced with plain water. The baking soda and water paste can be used daily, but should not be left on for any longer than a minute. Mixing the baking soda with water and using as a rinse can also be beneficial.
Instead of reaching for a stick of gum after a meal, reach for some raisins. Because of the amount of sweetener used in gum, it is up for debate if it really aids in whitening teeth or not. Thankfully, raisins provide the same effect. This is because when the jaws move to chew, it produces more saliva. More saliva production means that the mouth will naturally wash away some food debris and plaque after a meal.
While all of these methods will whiten teeth, they are not a replacement for regular brushing and flossing and should be stopped if any tenderness or pain occurs.
Dr. Pat Crawford graduated from dental school in 1988 and started his own dental practice called Pat Crawford DDS. He is a well known authority within the local dental communities and writes big journal publications often.
