Did you know that there are some common foods that can actually help whiten your teeth over time?  They’re not as thoroughly effective as professional teeth whitening products, but they are cheap and natural and over time will help brighten those pearly whites.

Baking soda

Using baking soda can whiten teeth. A 2008 study found toothpastes that contain baking soda, long considered a tooth-whitening home remedy, do a better job of removing plaque than toothpastes without the ingredient.

Your best bet is brushing with a commercial paste that contains the mild abrasive. You can also try, just brushing your teeth with baking soda straight from the box (don’t do this often, just occasionally).

Apples, celery, cauliflower, pears, cucumbers, and carrots

Interesting fact, crunchy veggies like carrots help clean teeth. These healthy fruits and veggies act like natural stain removers by increasing saliva production which combines with the foods’ natural fibers, this serves as the mouth’s self-cleaning agent. They are also known to kill bacteria that cause bad breath, and their crunch factor works to scrub your teeth clean.

Strawberries

Interestingly enough, strawberries work to whiten teeth, since they contain an enzyme called malic acid. Try mashing up strawberries and rubbing them on your teeth. Leave for five minutes then rinse with water and brush and floss as usual.

Yogurt, milk, and cheese

Hard cheeses can both protect and clean food particles from your teeth.  Dairy products contain lactic acid, which may help protect teeth against decay. A study in the journal Dentistry found kids who ate yogurt four times per week had less tooth decay than kids who didn’t eat yogurt. Researchers think proteins in yogurt may bind to teeth and prevent them from attack by harmful acids that cause cavities. Hard cheeses are best for whitening since they help remove food particles.

Oranges and pineapples

Mouth-watering citrus fruits act as a mouthwash. Eating tart fruits such as oranges and pineapples may cause the mouth to produce more saliva, which washes teeth clean naturally. Beware of using lemons directly on teeth, because too much acidity can damage teeth.

Tea

Although it is not technically food, tea has whitening properties. Both green and black tea are composed of fluoride and Polyphenols, which are beneficial to oral health. Fluoride is an ingredient used in most toothpastes and Polyphenols work to naturally decrease bacteria.

Although these foods are a guideline, it is important to note that eating a well-balanced diet rich in nutrients has many benefits. Even if a particular food is not listed above, it still may contain nutritional benefits. A general rule of thumb when eating to improve oral health is to eat foods rich in calcium and in vitamins C & D. Also, anything with a high water content is beneficial to your teeth health as well.

Looking to get your teeth professionally whitened? Contact us today!