Whiten Your Teeth

with strawberries.

I haven't tried it yet, but it sounds interesting.

The problem with most current tooth-whitening products, both over-the-counter versions and those performed in your dentist’s office, is that they use hydrogen peroxide to whiten your teeth.

This is not your best choice because peroxide can cause your teeth to become sensitive. Additionally, hydrogen peroxide forms radical intermediates that can damage and destroy your gums and nerves.

What causes your teeth to become discolored in the first place? Tooth discoloration is caused by colored molecules such as tannins and polyphenols -- found in red wine, coffee, and tea -- which become absorbed by your tooth enamel’s surface.

Cigarettes, blueberries, and other foods that contain dark pigments can also discolor your tooth enamel.

If you’re looking for a safer alternative to brighten your teeth, you can try this simple trick:

• Crush one ripe strawberry and mix it with 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda.
• Spread the mixture onto your teeth and leave on for five minutes.
• Brush your teeth with a little toothpaste (non-fluoride, of course) and rinse.
  

This natural mixture works because of the malic acid it contains, which acts as an astringent to remove some of the surface discoloration on your teeth. Though this method is perfectly safe to use on occasion, don’t use it too often (no more than once a week) because the acid could potentially damage your tooth enamel.