A beautiful smile makes the best first impression, but keeping your smile bright and confident can be a challenge.

The food we take everyday can take a toll on those pearly white teeth. Coffee, tea, wine, and soda are just a few of the everyday foods that can leave stubborn stains. While your dentist can offer whitening solutions, which can be quite costly, more natural options are just sitting in your pantry ready to be used.  Here are home remedies that can help make your smile shine brightly and naturally.

Fruits and Vegetables

There are some fruits and vegetables that naturally contains tooth whitening properties. When munching on strawberries, celeries, carrots, or apples, rub the last slice on the teeth for a minute, and then rinse with water or brush your teeth. The abrasive properties of these foods work like natural toothbrush, lifting stains without harming the enamel.

Baking Soda

This household powder we often use for cleaning and deodorizing kitchen sinks and countertops can also be used for the same purpose on our teeth. Create a tooth-scrubbing paste with half teaspoon water and half teaspoon baking soda. Put a good amount of the mixture in your toothbrush and brush away. Rinse off your mouth by brushing with toothpaste.

Oil Pulling

First discovered in India thousands of years ago this whitening technique uses natural oils for curing different kinds of ailments, such as arthritis, infections, asthma, and headache. To use this method, swish one to two teaspoons of extra virgin coconut oil into your mouth, then spit it out after 20 minutes. Thoroughly rinse your mouth by gargling water and brushing with toothpaste.

3% Hydrogen Peroxide

This age-old liquid used as bleaching agent for cleaning and disinfecting also has the same benefits when used for oral hygiene. Gargle two tablespoons of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide for 30 seconds to a minute, and then rinse mouth with water and brush your teeth with toothpaste. This can be done daily or as needed.

Brushing the teeth isn’t enough to keep your teeth white. In order to ensure bright and beautiful smile, a few extra steps may be required. Fortunately, these tooth-whitening remedies can be easily found at your home.