Tooth discoloration caused by tobacco, coffee, tea or just natural aging can make you look older than we really are and can take the sparkle away from your smile. Of course, you probably know that whitening your teeth will make them brighter and can help you look younger and keep your smile looking great. Tooth whitening products can be expensive, though, and sometimes it is more economical to use a natural tooth whitener to brighten your smile.
Most people are aware that baking soda can be used to whiten teeth since it is a primary ingredient in most whitening toothpastes. You can always just mix a paste of baking soda and water and then brush with it to brighten your teeth. However, did you know that adding crushed strawberries to the baking soda can give you even faster results? It’s true!
To make your own at-home tooth whitener with baking soda and strawberries take start with 3-4 strawberries, about 1/4 cup of water and approximately one half cup of baking soda. Begin by removing the stems from the strawberries. Pile everything into a blender and blend it until it has a paste-like consistency. If you don’t have a blender you can smoosh it all together with the back of a spoon, although your paste will be smoother if you use a blender. This will become your homemade tooth whitening paste. You can store any leftover baking soda and strawberry paste in your fridge for a few days and use it again for more whitening.
To use this paste, just brush your teeth with it like you would with normal toothpaste. Don’t brush too aggressively since there will still be some small strawberry seeds floating around and you don’t want to damage your gums with them. Now, as you probably have guessed this isn’t going to taste the greatest, but if you can push through the nasty flavor it will help whiten your teeth. Once you are done brushing with the baking soda and strawberry mixture you should brush your teeth again – this time with regular fluoride toothpaste.
It is important to brush your teeth with regular toothpaste after any tooth whitening treatment whether it is purchased at the store or homemade. If the whiteners are left on your teeth for too long they can cause permanent damage to the tooth enamel which can lead to tooth decay or cavities. However, if you brush your teeth right after whitening your enamel will stay intact and your teeth will become brighter. With brighter teeth you’ll be flashing your smile every chance you get and looking like a million bucks!
One word of caution about homemade tooth whiteners. Many people recommend using lemon juice to whiten your teeth at home. However, the acid in the lemon juice can wreak havoc on your tooth enamel so it is best to skip the lemon juice and opt for the baking soda and strawberries instead.
