The grocery stores and dental offices are flooding with services and products that promise to brighten your smile. However before availing any of these tempting offers or getting hold of a home whitening kit, consider trying these 13 naturally occurring whitening substitutes.
1. Strawberries
One of the most commercially widespread tooth-whitening products is malic acid which is a natural astringent that acts as a bleaching agent.
Strawberry has this natural ingredient which can help whiten your teeth so don’t forget to add it to your basket on your next trip to the farmer’s market.
Strawberries also have vitamin C which helps in removing plaque.
2. Oil (sesame oil or virgin coconut oil)
Oil pulling is a technique employed for gargling instead of cooking. Sesame oil or virgin coconut oil is rinsed around inside the mouth and afterward spat out after fifteen minutes. As the substance is energetically pulled back and forth in the mouth, the nutrients are absorbed by the mucous membranes.
Sesame oil is rich in vitamin A, omega 3 fatty acids, calcium, iron, Vitamin E and B; contrarily virgin oil has antibacterial properties that promote cavity free teeth and healthy gums. Any spittle that will be formed during gargle must be spat out.
3. Carrots
Popularly known to be rabbit favorites they are well known for increasing generation of saliva in your mouth and cleaning it further.
Carrots have the essential Vitamin A which is not only great for enhancing vision but also to strengthen tooth enamel.
4. Apples
Apples contain significantly high levels of malic acid.
Biting and chewing on this crusty food brushes away germs, marks and debris from the mouth.
5. Celery
Bid farewell to marks on your tooth as you snack on celery during your break.
Celery is rich in fibrous cellulose which acts as a natural toothbrush while the high water content stimulates saliva which acts a naturally occurring mouth cleanser.
6. Water
Consuming plenty of water helps in keeping unwanted teeth stains away and keeps you hydrated.
Swishing your mouth with water after consuming high pigment foods and drinks will help in keeping your smile radiant and bright. The overall acidity of mouth is lessened and the chance of damage to tooth enamel is substantially diminished with water.
Choose plain water instead of sparkling water and other market substitutes because it raises chances of eroding surface of the tooth.
7. Broccoli
Raw broccoli is potent enough to remove unsightly marks from the tooth.
Broccoli is rich in iron which acts as a protective barrier that keeps acids causing cavity away.
8. Cheese
Cheese is devoid of color and therefore most of it doesn’t leave any marks on the tooth.
The calcium and phosphorous in cheese helps strengthen gums and teeth through re-mineralization. These favorable properties of cheese shield teeth from harmful acids in the mouth.
9. Pineapple
An enzyme called bromelain is a natural stain remover found in pineapple that separates plaque from the surface of the teeth.
This substance discourages formation of cavities and prevents erosion of teeth resulting in stronger and whiter teeth.
10. Shiitake Mushrooms
This fungi is loaded up with lentinan, a sort of sugar that doesn’t encourage tooth rot, however rather keeps a check by preventing plaque-building microorganisms from multiplying in your mouth.
11. Salmon
The nutrient Vitamin D found in salmon enables the body to retain calcium and phosphorus, supplements that fortify your teeth and add to a delightful grin.
12. Onions and Garlic
It is vital to consume these raw.
This discharges bacteria weakening compounds called thiosulfinates and thiosulfonates, promoting more favorable teeth by reducing the generation of plaque.
Due to their colorless property these foods will not stain teeth.
13. Basil
This herb acts as a natural antibiotic with properties that prevent the formation of cavities.
Reference Studies:
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10.1111/j.1753-4887.2012.00544.x - Kearns CE, et al. (2015). Sugar industry influence on the scientific agenda of the National Institute of Dental Research’s 1971 National Caries Program: A historical analysis of internal documents. DOI:
10.1371/journal.pmed.1001798 - Mäkinen KK. (2010). Sugar alcohols: Caries incidence, and remineralization of caries lesions: A literature review. DOI:
10.1155/2010/981072 - Neel EA, et al. (2016). Demineralization-remineralization dynamics in teeth and bone. DOI:
10.2147/IJN.S107624 - Oral health topics. (2019).
ada.org/en/member-center/oral-health-topics/toothpastes - Touger-Decker R, et al. (2003). Sugars and dental caries. DOI:
10.1093/ajcn/78.4.881S
