10 Natural Ways to Whiten Your Teeth

If you want to whiten your teeth but aren’t a fan of those white strips, these natural whiteners provide a painless solution.

Mix together baking soda and a 3 percent solution hydrogen peroxide until it forms a paste. Gently apply to surface of teeth using toothbrush or finger, avoiding the gum line. Let it sit on your teeth for one to two minutes, then rinse with water and brush as normal.

Oil pulling—the practice of swishing oil in the mouth—was first used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat oral pain. Some people claim that oil pulling with coconut oil for 20 minutes a day can help whiten teeth.

Brushing your teeth with apple cider vinegar before brushing with regular toothpaste can help whiten teeth over time, if practiced consistently. Use caution though, as apple cider vinegar can also remove the enamel on your teeth.

We all know that eating fruit is good for you, but it may also be good for your teeth. Mash up a handful of strawberries, rub over teeth, then rinse. Or try rubbing lemon or orange peels over teeth before brushing with regular toothpaste.

Regularly flossing your teeth will remove plaque and ensure that the area between the teeth stays clean. By keeping your gums healthy, your teeth will also look brighter and healthier.

Dairy products such as yogurt and cheese contain calcium, which helps keep teeth healthy and white, and a certain protein that helps protect tooth enamel. Cheese also contains lactic acid, which helps protect against tooth decay. Hard cheeses have the added benefit of helping remove food particles.

Foods that increase saliva flow helps remove bacteria from your mouth and whiten teeth. Good saliva-producing foods include apples, pears, celery and carrots.

It’s well-known that coffee can stain teeth. However, when milk or cream is added, the chemistry of coffee changes, and it makes it more difficult for stains to stick to the tooth’s surface.

Leafy greens contain a certain mineral that can produce a protective film over the teeth. Good options include spinach, broccoli and kale.

When it comes to avoiding teeth-staining beverages, water is your best choice. Soda is particularly harmful because it contains acids that can strip your teeth’s enamel. If you do drink teeth-staining beverages, drinking through a straw can help reduce staining.