We all want a bright, healthy smile. But teeth whitening treatments can be expensive, and sometimes a little too harsh. In Lagos alone, teeth whitening services charge anywhere from ₦50,000 to ₦200,000! That’s enough to make anyone consider just smiling with their mouth closed.
What if we told you that some of the best ways to naturally whiten your teeth could be sitting in your kitchen right now?
Certain foods can actually help clean and brighten your teeth as you eat them. These won’t give you a pearly white smile overnight, though. But adding these foods to your daily routine can gently scrub away surface stains, fight bacteria, and give your teeth a whiter look over time.
So, if you’re looking for a natural way to brighten your smile, keep reading. Here are five foods that can help you whiten your teeth, no chemicals, no stress.
1. Strawberries
This might surprise you, but strawberries can actually help whiten your teeth. They contain malic acid, which helps remove surface stains.
Mash up a fresh strawberry and rub it gently on your teeth for a minute or two, then rinse and brush as usual. You can also just eat them as chewing helps scrub your teeth naturally.
Just remember, strawberries also have sugar and natural acids, so it’s still important to brush afterwards.
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2. Apples
Crunchy fruits like apples act like a natural scrub for your teeth. The firm texture helps remove plaque and surface stains while you chew, and their high water content increases saliva flow, which helps wash away debris.
An apple a day keeps the dentist… well, maybe not away, but it definitely helps keep your teeth cleaner between brushes.
3. Carrots
Raw carrots work much like apples. Their crunch helps scrub away plaque and food bits from your teeth. Plus, chewing carrots makes your mouth produce more saliva, which naturally washes your teeth and keeps them cleaner.
Bonus: they’re great for your skin and eyes too!
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4. Pineapple
Pineapple contains an enzyme called bromelain, which can help break down stains and plaque. Some whitening toothpastes even use bromelain because it’s so good at cleaning. Eating fresh pineapple can help keep your smile brighter, and some studies even suggest bromelain may help reduce gum inflammation.
Just avoid canned versions and stick to the fresh stuff for the best benefits.
5. Cheese
Cheese is rich in calcium, which strengthens tooth enamel and helps protect against decay. Certain hard cheeses also help remove food particles and surface stains as you chew.
Plus, cheese lowers acid levels in your mouth, which keeps your teeth from getting discoloured over time.
The reality of natural whitening
These foods won’t give you overnight miracles, but they can help maintain a naturally whiter smile over time, without the sensitivity or expense of harsh treatments.
READ MORE: 3 home remedies for tooth decay and cavities
