Foods That Can Whiten Your Teeth Naturally

I decided to do my own research on the subject. Turns out, there are many “Old Wives Tales” on how to get a brighter smile naturally that have circulated for generations  (I’ll address the ones that you should never ever try that can cause irreversible damage to your teeth) and I found some that you may find interesting and delicious! Here’s how to use these natural remedies:

Banana Peels – “Monkey Around” for a brighter smile

The Truth: Banana peels may work, however, whitening with a banana peel will not provide a dramatic or instant result. People who have had success used this method for 14 days before they saw any noticeable results.

1. Get a banana that is just ripe (it may still have trace amounts of green at each end, but not too much). Using a banana at this level of ripeness ensures that the peel contains optimal levels of potassium which is the substance that really brightens the teeth.
2. Always, Always, Always, wash the outside of the peel to remove any germs or toxins that will be present.
3. Open the banana like a monkey does! Start by peeling it from the “Bottom End” and upward. Not only does this prevent all of those weird banana “Threads” from appearing, but it also lets you have more control over the peel
4. Take a small piece of the inside of the peel (you can cut off a manageable rectangular shape) and begin gently rubbing this along your teeth. Do this for 2-3 minutes.
5. Leave the peel on your teeth for a couple of minutes and then wipe off with a wet cloth. After this, make sure to rinse out with water because the banana is high in natural sugar. Avoid brushing with toothpaste for an hour after using the peel.

For added amusement, hum the tune from the classic story, Jungle Book while you’re rubbing the peel on your pearls! Here’s a reminder of how it goes…

“Oh, oobee doo

 I wanna be like you

I wanna talk like you

walk like you, too

You’ll see it’s true”

Performing this tune like the character, King Louie, will not add any value to your end results, but it may just put you in a good mood all morning!  All kidding aside… the banana is chock full of minerals that’ll make for healthy teeth. There are mixed reviews on this. Some say it works some say it doesn't. You may find yourself just “Going Bananas” with your results. If it doesn't work for you, at least your teeth are bathed in all kinds of mineral goodness for a few minutes!

Strawberries – Your “natural” at home bleach kit? Maybe

The Truth: They are bright red, but strawberries can be powerful teeth whiteners. They contain both an astringent (Malic Acid) and vitamin C. The astringent in strawberries effectively aids in the removal of surface stains while vitamin C whitens teeth by clearing away plaque.

1. Mash up a couple ripe strawberries
2. Apply them to your teeth GENTLY (watch out for those seeds) as a paste. You can also brush your teeth GENTLY with the berry paste instead. Easy!  The obvious tune to hum… “Strawberry Fields Forever”
3. Make sure to rinse well with water and/or brush your teeth with water after to clear off the acid.  Avoid brushing with toothpaste for an hour.

Oil Pulling - with Extra Virgin Unrefined Coconut Oil – Wait… What??

The Truth: Studies show “Oil-pulling” has many benefits, one of which is whitening your teeth!  Once per week you can do oil-pulling using unrefined coconut oil. Make sure the only ingredient on the label is Extra Virgin Coconut Oil.  You can find this item at health food stores or online.

1. Swish with a half of a tablespoon of oil around in your mouth, through your teeth, around every nook and cranny… “To Grandmother’s house we go” ( I couldn't resist suggesting another tune to hum).  Do this for a full 20 minutes. That’s the catch… studies have shown there is no benefit of whitening unless you swish for this length of time. Some people will putter about the house doing other things while they swish, swish, and swish.
2. Spit all the oil out after 20 minutes and brush as normal.

According to the studies, this will help promote a healthy oral environment, leading to healthier gums and whiter teeth!

 Raw Fruits and Veggies – Your natural toothbrush!

The Truth: Crunchy vegetables such as celery and carrots, and crispy fruits like apples are naturally abrasive, not to mention full of nutritional goodness. They’re great for teeth and your body! The process of chewing these natural goodies removes excess food and bacteria from your mouth while scrubbing away surface stains. Like our friends the strawberries, apples also contain Malic Acid, which is commonly used in teeth whitening products, which helps dissolve stains.  What song to hum? Err; I was afraid you might ask. Well, only because you insisted. (I can’t be held responsible for this one sticking in your head all day)  Ready?  And a five, six, seven, eight!

“Wop bop a loo bop a lop bam boom!
Tutti frutti, oh- rutti
Tutti frutti, oh-rutti
Tutti frutti, oh-rutti
Tutti frutti, oh-rutti
Tutti frutti, oh-rutti
Wop bop a loo bop a lop bam boom!”

Ways to NOT whiten your teeth naturally:

1.     Under no circumstances should you be using a Baking Soda paste on your teeth to whiten them! It’s abrasive and WILL erode your enamel! 

2.     Lemon/Orange peels/juice and/or Apple Cider Vinegar – the acid will erode your enamel over time when used as whitening agents. 

3.     Hydrogen Peroxide Rinse - When it is used as a whitening agent, it’s rough on your gums and the lining of your mouth; you can burn your gums and disrupt the normal flora of bacteria in your mouth. So long story short, DO NOT use it on your own to whiten your teeth! Only use under the supervision and direction of a dentist.

I hope you enjoyed these interesting facts. Remember, your best bet for maintaining a beautiful smile from birth through your golden years is to practice good oral hygiene, go for regular dental checkups and cleanings, eat a healthy diet, and take care of any dental concerns as they arise. Happy flossing!