9 Super Foods That Whiten Your Teeth Naturally
Many products promise to instantly brighten your smile. But before reaching for that home whitening kit, consider these 9 superfoods that are natural tooth-whitening alternatives…
1. Oil Pulling with sesame oil or virgin coconut oil
Oil pulling is an ancient morning regimen where the sesame or coconut oil is used for gargling in between teeth, not cooking! In the oil pulling regimen, Sesame oil or virgin coconut oil is swished around inside the mouth and then spat out after ten minutes. As the substance is vigorously “pulled” back and forth between your teeth, the mucous membranes inside your mouth absorb nutrients from it. Get your supply of 100% pure and natural oil pulling from GuruNanda here.
2. Strawberries
Malic acid is a natural astringent that acts as a bleaching agent, and it is present in most commercially available tooth-whitening products. Strawberries are filled with this key ingredient, which will whiten your teeth naturally, so make sure to add them to your basket on your next trip to the farmer’s market. The vitamin C in strawberries also aids in removing plaque.
3. Apples
Apples also contain high levels of malic acid. The act of biting and chewing on this crunchy fruit gently scrubs away debris, stains, and bacteria from your mouth.
4. Celery
With Celery, you can say goodbye to tooth stains! The fibrous cellulose act as a natural toothbrush, while the high water content stimulates saliva production, your natural mouth cleanser.
5. Carrots
Chewing on these rabbit favorites raw will increase the amount of saliva in your mouth, cleaning it further. The vitamin A in carrots is good, not just for your eyesight, but helps strengthen tooth enamel as well.
6. Broccoli
When eaten raw, this vegetable gently abrades tooth surfaces, which removes unsightly stains. The iron found in broccoli protects tooth enamel by coating it with an invisible barrier that keeps cavity-causing acids away.
7. Cheese
Being devoid of color, most cheeses will not stain teeth. They also contain calcium and phosphorus, which help strengthen teeth and gums through re-mineralization. Those properties also help in insulating teeth from harmful acids in the mouth.
8. Water
Drinking water helps you stay hydrated and prevents stains from forming on your teeth. Swish it in your mouth after eating or drinking pigment-rich foods and beverages to keep your smile white and bright. Water also reduces your mouth’s overall acidity, lessening the likelihood of damaging your tooth enamel. Just make sure you stick to flat water, as the sparkling variety increases the chances of eroding tooth surfaces.
9. Pineapple
Pineapple contains an enzyme called bromelain, which is a natural stain remover that also helps separate plaque from the surface of your teeth. This prevents tooth erosion and discourages cavities from forming, resulting in healthier and whiter teeth.
Do you know of any other superfoods that help to whiten teeth naturally?
Share them in the comments below!