10 Natural Teeth Whitening Foods
There is nothing like a smile filled with
white teeth to express joy, contentment and sometimes even
embarrassment. There are many products on the market that claim to turn
your teeth "pearly white", but most contain harsh whitening chemicals
that may also damage tooth enamel, the protective layer of your teeth.
These products aren’t suitable for
everyone, as some people have more sensitive teeth than others, and
long-term use of these whitening products can cause damage. For those
who want to achieve a bright white smile, we recommend you try the
following 10 foods, to whiten your teeth naturally, deliciously and
without the need for chemicals.
1. Strawberries
Everyone loves strawberries, and besides their unique flavor, they can
also be enjoyed as a natural tooth whitener. Strawberries contain malic
acid that dissolves stains on the surface of the teeth and whitens them
naturally, as can be seen in the results of a study conducted in the
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of the University of
Bologna Medical School. You can eat the strawberries as they are and see
the effects of the acid, however, you can also use them as a
toothpaste. Simply mash the strawberries, apply toothpaste or baking
soda to your toothbrush and put the fruit puree over it. Brush your
teeth, rinse your mouth with water and enjoy a bright white smile.
2. Cauliflower
Hard vegetables like cauliflower and broccoli are very helpful when it
comes to tooth hygiene because when chewed in their raw state, the
action is similar to tooth brushing and it removes stains. The wonderful
cauliflower has many health benefits. Besides, when chewed for several
minutes, the mouth produces more saliva that also removes teeth stains,
creating a natural winning combination for stain removal.
3. Yogurt
Yogurt and other dairy products, such as cheese, have the same effect as
broccoli and cauliflower, as they cause excess saliva which removes
stains from teeth. These wonderful foods also contain lactic acid that
dissolves dirt that exists on your teeth, leaving your mouth fresh and
your smile as bright as ever.
4. Pineapple
It’s hard to resist the yellow and juicy tropical fruit, whether in a
shake, dessert or eaten in its natural form. Apart from its wonderful
taste, pineapple also has the ability to naturally clean our teeth
thanks to it containing an enzyme called bromelain, which, in a study
published in 2012, was found effective in removing stains from teeth.
This is due to the fact that bromelain causes the breakdown of proteins
that cling to the teeth and form stains, leaving them cleaner.
5. Onions
Many shy away from eating raw onion, but when you discover its benefits,
it is hard to refrain from giving it a try. The benefit of this tangy
root is the fact that it contains sulfur mineral compounds that prevent
the formation of plaque on the teeth and help keep them clean. The
smelly breath caused by eating raw onions isn’t particularly pleasant,
but it can be easily rid of it either by rinsing the mouth or by eating
parsley.
6. Apple
An apple a day won’t only keep the doctor away, but may also reduce your
visits to the dentist. The chewing of a hard, fresh apple stimulates
tooth brushing and helps food particles be removed from the teeth. In
addition, apples have a high water content and it causes increased
production of saliva, which, as mentioned above, helps to clean the
teeth more efficiently and helps remove unpleasant stains.
7. Celery
The wonderful taste of celery makes it an important ingredient in many
recipes, and it turns out that it can also be used as a tooth whitener.
Celery has a high water content which helps strengthen the gums and also
rinses small food particles from our mouth. In addition, the rough
texture of this vegetable causes it to mechanically clean the teeth and
remove any materials that have accumulated on them which often are the
cause of the formation of different blemishes and stains.
8. Salmon
In order for the teeth to remain white, healthy and strong, it is vital
that our bodies get enough calcium and phosphorus to strengthen our
bones. Salmon is a wonderful fish with many benefits rich in vitamin D,
which causes the absorption of these two essential minerals, helping to
strengthen the teeth and contributes to their natural whiteness. Eating
salmon will help remove and prevent stains from your teeth, while also
strengthening the teeth and avoiding structural damage that may be
caused.
9. Seeds and nuts
There is nothing like adding nuts and seeds, such as almonds or
sunflower seeds, to salads or eating them as a healthy snack during the
day, and if you do this, you also reap their benefits as tooth
whiteners. These foods are hard in texture and when chewed, they “brush”
the teeth and remove unwanted stains.
10. Shiitake mushrooms
Mushrooms are a wonderful ingredient in a variety of different dishes,
and their consumption also makes it possible to enjoy their benefits as
natural tooth whiteners. These small, meaty mushrooms contain a natural
sugar called lentinan, which prevents the decay of teeth and plaque
formation throughout the oral cavity. This causes the teeth not to
accumulate substances that cause stains in the first place and naturally
improves oral health.
A bright white smile from ear to ear is
always lovely to see, and with these wonderful foods, you won‘t need to
use chemical bleaches that can damage your teeth to achieve it!