Having a health and beautiful smile is often times an important part of your self-esteem. You know that regularly brushing, flossing, and visiting your dentist for cleanings is essential to your oral health, but is that all? Turns out that there are more things that you can do at home to maintain a strong, good looking smile. Continue reading to learn some natural teeth whitening methods as well as what you can do to keep your mouth strong and healthy.

Use Strawberries

Strawberries are a delicious fruit with all sorts of health benefits. One thing you probably don’t know is that they contain the tooth-whitening enzyme of malic acid that can make a huge difference for your smile without harmful chemicals that you can find at the store. All you need to do is puree one strawberry and add ½ teaspoon of baking soda. Mix them together and dip your toothbrush into the mixture. After coating your teeth with it, allow it to sit for approximately five minutes and brush it away with your normal toothpaste. Just remember that this method should not be used more than once every seven days. Doing this too often can break down your tooth enamel.

Eat Apples

Also known as “nature’s toothbrush,” apples can do wonders for your smile. Chewing on an apple can dislodge food particles and reduce bacteria concentrations that are in the mouth. Apples also help to remove stains from your teeth because they contain malic acid, just like strawberries.

Stay Hydrated

Drinking plenty of water is important for almost every single part of your body. It washes away food debris left in your mouth, prevents dry mouth, and can be used as a preventive measure against staining. The fluoride that is often added to tap water is highly beneficial for your teeth by strengthening the protective enamel and preventing cavities.

Eat Cheese

This delicious snack often times contains lactic acid which protects against enamel erosion. This is because it neutralizes harmful acids. Eating cheese also stimulates the production of saliva, is a great source of calcium, and contains both phosphorus and protein. These are all essential for a healthy smile.

Eat Your Vegetables

Veggies are necessary in order to stay healthy. Your smile is no exception. Generally, the firmer and crunchier a vegetable is, the better it is for your teeth. This includes celery and carrots which are both highly effective at cleaning your teeth, just like apples. If you didn’t have enough reasons to add more vegetables to your plate, here’s another.

The things you need to strengthen your smile may just be in your own pantry. However, don’t forget to always consult your dentist before trying these techniques. They will be able to best advise you on how to better your smile safely.