9 Food Choices That Will Help You To Confidently Flaunt Your Teeth

A smile costs nothing. And if there are shiny white teeth behind that smile, there's nothing like it. People these days spend a fortune on dental surgeries, but there is always something nearby that can easily solve tooth problems in the comfort of your home.


9. Cheese, not chewing gum

Say cheese! But do you always do it without hesitation? Or are you always getting clicked while trying to hide your pale teeth?

Cheese is the solution! Being a great source of calcium, it can help you get rid of cavities. Studies have shown that pH level is very important for tooth health. Cheese has been noted to raise the pH level and take it above 5.5, which reduces the risk of tooth decay.

All chewing gums do is produce saliva, which is good for teeth. Apart from that, sweet chewing gum, in particular, can do more harm than good. People suffering from any kind of jaw pain or temporomandibular disorder symptoms (TMD/TMJ) are also advised to avoid chewing gum. It is always advised to use alternatives to chewing gums.

8. Turmeric vs medicines

Turmeric stains are tough to shift, and it was a well-known dyeing agent among our ancestors. Isn't it difficult to believe that it can whiten your teeth?

Research proves that turmeric not only solves dental hygiene problems but also serious dental problems like toothache, swelling of the gums, gingivitis, and periodontitis. Medicines, on the other hand, can give only temporary relief and can damage dental health in the long run. Overusage of medications can give you conditions like dry mouth and tooth and gum issues.

7. Cucumbers vs lemons

It's a popular belief that lemons can give you shiny white teeth. But if you ask a dentist, he may tell you that there is the serious side effect of losing teeth enamel. So what's the alternative? Cucumbers!

The fiber in cucumbers massages your teeth and gums. Along with that, the cucumber juice secreted in your mouth is beneficial for those suffering from pyorrhea.


You may find lemons on top of the list of tooth remedies at many places. But there is a catch here too. They may be doing the external job of making your teeth whiter, but they are also ruining the enamel. Lemons contain acid, which can gradually take off the thin coverage of enamel on your teeth.

6. Strawberries vs strawberry candy

This little red fruit is a wonder fruit for sure! Strawberries are said to be one of the most powerful teeth whiteners as they not only act as a good astringent but are also a rich source of vitamin C.

Strawberries can also be used as a tooth cleanser when mixed with baking soda. So by eating strawberries, apart from the great taste, you are also giving yourself a promise of healthy white teeth.

Strawberry candies, or any candies for that matter, are better taken in moderation as the sugar present in them can lead to tooth decay and cavities. It is also advised to brush your teeth after eating anything sweet.

5. Tofu vs aerated drinks

Lots of people suggest consuming tofu for its high calcium and protein levels. Let's introduce you to one more benefit of tofu.

Tofu is said to be a saliva maker, thus helping with tooth cleaning. It is also highly alkaline and is a good source of calcium for your teeth.

Add this wonderful protein to your diet not only for tooth wellness but also for your overall health. As for the aerated drinks, we are sure that everyone is in agreement with the fact that they are not good for dental health. Aerated drinks not only lead to tooth erosion but cavities as well. These drinks cause damage to the layer of enamel on your teeth.

4. Green tea vs black tea

The color of your drink matters! Take, for instance, your tea: the darker, the better!

Green tea is rich in polyphenols, which help fight plaque bacteria. It also helps to stop and control the growth of bacteria in the mouth, thereby stopping them from producing acid that leads to tooth decay.

The bonus is that it also gets rid of bad breath. Cheers to that!

Black tea (coffee too) can give you tooth problems. Tea stains your teeth because of its high tannin content.

3. Coconut oil vs chocolates

Coconut oil may sound weird for teeth, but it's been proven to do wonders. The lauric acid present in coconut oil is good enough to fight the tough bacteria present in your mouth, which causes tooth decay, bad breath, and gum diseases.


The method involved is called oil pulling, and it requires you to swish the oil in your teeth for 15-20 minutes. Then suck the oil through your teeth slowly, and you are done! You don't need to swallow the oil in the process, just suck it and spit it out.

Apart from dark chocolates, all others are to blame for tooth decay. White chocolate or milk chocolate, which have a higher sugar content than cocoa, can lead to severe cavities.

2. Celery vs potato chips

Celery tastes fresh and crunchy, and it is also good for dental health.

The high water content of celery makes it good to chew for your teeth. These beautifully colored leaves will not only trim your waistline but will also cut down on the bacteria present in your mouth.

Celery also helps remove plaque. If chewed well, it can also cleanse the grooves between your teeth of food particles.

You can't eat just one! This stands true for your favorite chips. But did you know how deep that crunch sound goes? Potato chips are full of starch and are, therefore, not healthy for your teeth. The starch can get stuck in your teeth and cause erosion. Either don't eat them or make sure you floss that day.

1. Onions. Yes, really!

Onions? Are you serious? Yes, we are definitely stressing the fact that onions act as a tooth cleanser and whitener.

They might take away your good breath, but the sulfur compounds present in onions will help prevent plaque formation. All you need to do is chew some raw onions and leave the rest to them. It is also said that rubbing onions on your teeth can help get rid of toothache.


How To Naturally Whiten Your Teeth In 3 Minutes at Home (Research Based)

Products aimed at beautifying your smile line the shelves of drugstores these days. The problem? Many of these teeth whitening products contain chemicals that can be harmful to your health and can ultimately lead to eroding the enamel on your teeth.

Even professional whitening performed by a dentist can lead to painful sensitivity, and the methods used are not natural in the slightest. However, don’t give up hope: if you want a brighter, whiter grin, there is a once-a-week method that can have you flashing your pearliest whites—the natural way and you only need a few ingredients such as baking soda and a 3% hydrogen peroxide.


How to Naturally Whiten Teeth Fast At Home in 3 – 5 Minutes
You can naturally and cheaply whiten your teeth at home using just two simple, all-natural ingredients and a toothbrush. You can brush your way to a whiter smile in just a few minutes’ time, once per week. Here’s what you’ll need to whiten your teeth quickly:

1 tablespoon of baking soda (bicarbonate of soda)

A study from 2008 checked the effect of a toothpaste containing baking soda on removing tooth stain and teeth whitening. One group used baking soda and peroxide toothpaste and brushed twice daily with their toothpaste for six week.

The study found a significant improvement in teeth shade score and tooth stain reductions of this group in comparison to the other group that used silica based toothpaste.

A review of 5 clinical studies revealed that baking soda is an effective natural ingredient for removing plaque from teeth. The plaque removal effectiveness of baking soda was significantly greater than the non-baking soda products.

According to another study, baking soda has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties that can help reduce infections.

Since baking soda is alkaline, it neutralizes the acids in the mouth, thus reducing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. You can also use baking soda as a general kitchen medicine.

You may have heard the claim that baking soda is abrasive. However, compared to commercial toothpastes, baking soda is much less abrasive, and therefore healthier for your teeth.

A small amount of 3% hydrogen peroxide food grade

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) comes in a variety of grades designed to address its different uses for disinfection and sterilization. 3% hydrogen peroxide food grade can help to whiten your teeth if used carefully. That means you should avoid higher concentration and not use it too often. Higher concentrations can damage tooth enamel.

A study from 2006 examined the effect of 10, 20 and 30% hydrogen peroxide solutions on human enamel for different periods of time. The research found that higher concentrations of hydrogen peroxide solutions and longer period of time caused more damage to teeth.

The researchers recommended to perform tooth whitening using low concentration of hydrogen peroxide, and shorten treatment time to reduce the possibility of teeth damage but reach the required change in color.

Another study from 2004 checked various concentrations of hydrogen peroxide gel (5, 10, 15 or 25%) on tooth whitening. It found that a person would need 12 applications of the 5% gel to achieve teeth whitening in comparison to one application for the 35% gel.

This means that to prevent damage to your teeth, you will need to use more low-concentration treatments for shorter time in order to achieve your desired teeth whiteness.


A clean, new toothbrush

That’s it! Here is how to put nature’s smile brightener to work for you:

Teeth Whitening at Home – The Method
  1. Place a tablespoon of baking soda into a small bowl and add a small amount of 3% hydrogen peroxide food grade.
  2. Mix until you get a paste of a thick consistency.
  3. Put the paste onto the toothbrush and brush all of your teeth thoroughly, just as you would with regular toothpaste.
  4. Leave the paste on your teeth for 3 to 5 minutes. Make sure to not swallow any hydrogen peroxide.
  5. Rinse your mouth out well with plenty of water, and you’re done! That’s all there is to it.
Whitening Teeth with Baking Soda & Hydrogen Peroxide – Things to Consider
– This natural whitening method should be performed no more than once per week in order to get a bright smile without harming the protective enamel covering the teeth.

– It is recommended that you use a fresh, clean toothbrush your first time trying the method and dedicating that toothbrush specifically to being used for whitening—in other words, don’t use your daily-use toothbrush for your whitening treatment.

– According to the National Capital Poison Center, swallowing small amounts of household (3%) hydrogen peroxide is not poisonous to humans. It can cause some irritation and cause a lot of foam in the mouth. If your child swallows some hydrogen peroxide, usually giving a small drink of water or milk is enough to remove the irritation. However, ingesting concentrated hydrogen peroxide (more than 10%) can result in severe injuries like ulcers, internal burning, vomiting, or intense abdominal pain.

– This treatment is not recommended for people who wear dental braces, as it would cause uneven whitening that would be noticeable once the braces were removed.

– After just one month of use (only four treatments) you should begin to see results in the form of a whiter, brighter smile!

Can You Use Baking Soda with Lemon Juice to Whiten Your Teeth?
Some people use lemon juice along with baking soda as a natural toothpaste to whiten teeth. They usually mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda and add the juice of half a lemon to clean their teeth. But you need to be aware that lemon is a naturally acidic fruit.

Some studies have suggested that a mixture of salt and lemon juice has mildly abrasive properties. The cleansing action of sodium and citric acid can help to whiten teeth over time.

A study published in 2015 found that the acidic nature of lemon juice has the potential to weaken tooth enamel. However, the study also noted that apple juice and orange juice can also affect the integrity of tooth enamel. It is also important to note that the research involved soaking a tooth in an undiluted lemon juice for 7 days.

So, when used infrequently, adding lemon juice to baking soda to help whiten your teeth may not have any negative result on your oral health.


How To Have White Teeth Naturally At Home, Works 100%

This traditional Indian folk remedy has been used to better oral hygiene and to remove toxins from the body. Oil pulling is swishing oil in the mouth cavity with the aim to get rid of bacteria which increases the risk of plaque and yellow teeth. Traditionally, Indians used sunflower or sesame oil; however, any other oil will work. For example, coconut oil which has a pleasant taste and it’s rich in different health benefits. It has lauric acid which can lower inflammation and destroy bacteria. According to a recent study, daily swishing with sesame oil lowered one of the primary types of bacteria in the mouth that cause plaque and gingivitis within a week.


Lack of Studies
Unfortunately, there are no scientific studies that can prove the whitening effect of oil pulling on the teeth. Nevertheless, this method is harmless and worth the try.

How to Do It
Put a tbsp of coconut oil in the mouth and swish it throughout the mouth cavity for 15 to 20 minutes. Then, spit it into the toilet or a trashcan since it could go back to solid form in the drain pipes and cause a clog. This method doesn’t expose the teeth to acid or other eroding ingredients.

Fruits and veggies
With certainty, they’re not a substitute for regular teeth brushing; raw fruits and veggies can help you rub away plaque as you chew them. Pineapple and strawberries are considered to be the most effective fruits for teeth whitening.

A mixture of baking soda and strawberries will remove teeth discoloration and any remaining stains. Make sure to limit the use of this remedy to several times per week. Just smash a fresh strawberry and mix it with half a tsp of baking soda and brush the teeth with the mixture.

According to a study, toothpaste with bromelain, an enzyme in pineapples, was more beneficial in eliminating stains on the teeth than regular toothpaste.

Brushing and flossing
Even though some tooth discoloration comes with age, often times, it’s a consequence of plaque buildup. Hence, to lower bacteria in the mouth and prevent build-up of plaque, you need to brush and floss the teeth daily.


Apple cider vinegar
The active ingredient in ACV, acetic acid, has the power to destroy bacteria and the antibacterial properties will cleanse the mouth cavity and whiten the teeth. A study has shown that this vinegar has a bleaching effect on the teeth. However, the acetic acid can also erode the enamel therefore, it shouldn’t be used daily. Prior to use, dilute it with water and swish in the mouth for couple of minutes and then spit it off and rinse the mouth.

Prevention Is Vital
Limit the intake of staining foods and drinks

Specific foods and drinks like coffee, red wine, dark berries, and sodas are known to stain the teeth. Therefore, their intake needs to be limited. An effective way to avoid staining from drinks is to drink from a straw when possible. Chewing tobacco and smoking significantly contribute to yellowish teeth.

Limit the intake of sugar
Excessive amounts of sugar encourage the growth of bacteria that cause plaque and gingivitis. Therefore, brush the teeth after consumption of sweet food.

Calcium
Foods rich in calcium like milk, cheese, and broccoli may protect the teeth from enamel erosion and maintain the whiteness of the teeth.

Other Unproven Methods
  • Activated charcoal- it supposedly removes toxins from the mouth and eliminates teeth stains
  • Kaolin clay-brushing with this clay is believed to remove teeth stains
  • Fruit peels– rubbing the teeth with orange, banana, and lemon peels is believed to make the teeth whiter