Getting a brighter smile doesn't have to involve dropping major dough on pricey teeth-whitening treatments. In fact, there are three ingredients you probably already have in your own kitchen that you can use to get those pearly whites sparkling.
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Banana Peel: The inside of a banana peel is full of potassium, magnesium, and other minerals that can help whiten teeth, says Gerry Curatola, D.D.S., a dentist in New York City. After brushing and flossing, peel a ripe banana and rub a piece on your teeth for two minutes, then rinse.
Strawberry: The fruit contains malic acid, which can help dissolve stains, says Curatola. Create a paste by mashing up a strawberry and mixing it with a teaspoon of baking soda. Use a kiddie toothbrush (it gets between teeth better) to rub the mixture on your teeth for five to seven minutes. Floss away any seeds afterwards.
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Coconut Oil: When the fatty acids in coconut oil come into contact with your saliva, they produce a molecule that breaks down stains, says Wayne Perry, CEO and lead product developer for Greensations, an all-natural beauty product brand. Heat up a cup of coconut oil until it becomes liquid, then add two teaspoons of baking soda and five to 10 drops of spearmint essential oil. Rub this on your teeth and rinse.
Easy peasy, right? Now go ahead and show off those chompers!
