By: Natasha Uspensky, CHHC

Getting beautiful, pearly whites does not have to mean filling your mouth with chemicals and all kinds of carcinogenic crap.  Hopefully, by now you’re using a natural, fluoride and SLS-free toothpaste (see Get a Squeaky Clean, Organic Smile! for recommendations), but if you need a little more whitening action, there’s a natural route for you too!  Increase consumption of great teeth-whitening foods, and try a natural home whitening paste or mouthwash for amazing results, without the risk!

Teeth Whitening Foods

• STRAWBERRIES:  These bright red babies are full of malic acid and vitamin c, which are naturally whitening for teeth.  Cut a strawberry in half and rub it on your teeth.  Leave the juice on your teeth for a minute or two, then rinse.

• APPLES AND CELERY:  Eat these teeth-cleaning foods daily for a potent, whitening boost.  They help to remove stains from teeth, kill odor causing bacteria, and increase saliva production, which is the body’s natural way to cleanse teeth!

• LEMONS:  Lemons are a naturally bleaching food, which works for hair, skin, and teeth!  Start your day off with hot water with fresh lemon juice for a natural whitening boost (which also increases metabolism, helps with weight loss, balances your system’s acidity, and is great for your tummy!), or try the At-Home Whitening Paste below.

• BAKING SODA:  This is one of nature’s most potent teeth whiteners, and it is an ingredient in many toothpastes. For an added whitening boost, sprinkle some baking soda on top of your toothpaste, brush with straight baking soda twice a month, or mix with lemon juice to make the At-Home Whitening Paste below.

Natural At-Home Teeth Whitening Paste

Mix 1 tbsp baking soda with the juice from about 1/4 of a large lemon.  The paste should bubble a bit.  Use a cotton ball to remove saliva from your teeth before applying the paste with your toothbrush.  Leave on for 1 minute, then rinse.  Don’t leave on for more than a minute, as the acid can start to break down tooth enamel!

Natural Mouth Wash

Mix 1 tbsp water with 1 tbsp hydrogen peroxide and swish around in your mouth for 1 minute.  Leave on teeth for another minute before rinsing with water.  This is great for whitening as well as