Food and drink can darken and stain your teeth. While appointments with the dentist can be a great opportunity to have your teeth professionally cleaned, you might be wondering how you can whiten your teeth in-between visits. Below are 5 secret ways you can keep your smile white.

Oil Pulling

Oil pulling is a simple, effective and inexpensive remedy. Oil absorbs toxins from the mouth, both improving the cleanliness of your teeth and generally boosting your oral health. Take one spoonful of pure organic oil--you can use any vegetable-based oil but coconut is a favourite as it contains antibacterial properties. Swill it around your mouth for 15-20 minutes, being careful to focus it on your teeth, pulling it through them and swishing around them. Spit out the oil, rinse your mouth fully and finish by drinking 2-3 glasses of water.

Eat Strawberries

Strawberries contain both malic acid - an astringent that can help remove stains - and vitamin C, which helps fight plaque. Both eating strawberries and creating a 'strawberry toothpaste', by mashing a few up and using them to brush, can have noticeable whitening effects. 

Crunch Yourself Clean

Crunchy fruit and vegetables such as carrots, celery and apples are naturally abrasive and act as natural toothbrushes. Chewing them removes excess bacteria from your mouth and helps to reduce staining. Like strawberries, apples contain malic acid which works to help tackle surface stains.  

Baking Soda and Lemon

This is one of the most popular home whitening techniques. Baking soda removes impurities while lemon juice acts as a bleaching agent. In a bowl, mix a small amount of baking soda with some freshly squeezed lemon juice to create a paste; the mixture should bubble slightly. Dry off your teeth with cotton wool then brush on the mixture. Leave it on for a full minute before gently brushing it off with toothpaste. Be sure not to leave the mixture on for longer as the acid in the mixture can damage tooth enamel. For the this reason, you shouldn't use this treatment too frequently. 

Say Cheese! 

Eating cheese after a meal can promote remineralisation. Proteins, calcium and phosphates that are found in cheese (as well as milk and yoghurt) can help to strengthen enamel, which will help to keep your smile bright. 

The best route to a great smile is to brush and floss regularly. Following these simple tips, as well as maintaining a good cleaning regime, will allow you to keep your smile beaming white.

For more information, contact a company like Bruce Stevens Dental.

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