Regular dental visits help to keep your teeth clean, healthy, and bright, but things like coffee, tea, and even dark berries can stain and dull the look of your teeth between visits to see your dentist. However, thanks to their astringent properties, strawberries happen to have a positive effect when it comes to keeping your teeth bright and white between dental treatments. Here are a few tasty strawberry recipes you can add to your meal and oral care regimen to maintain a brightly beautiful smile until you see your dentist again:
Fresh Strawberry Lemonade
Strawberries and lemons go great together, offering a sweet, yet tangy flavor that tends to delight even the most discerning of taste buds. The strawberries in this lemonade concoction offer teeth whitening power and the lemons offer a breath freshening effect. Here's how to make a batch:
- 4 cups water
- 1 pound of fresh or frozen strawberries
- 3 whole lemons
- 6 medjool dates
- 2 cups ice cubes
- Handful of fresh mint leaves
Start by cutting the strawberries up into small bite-sized pieces and transfer them to a blender. Juice the lemons, adding the juice to the blender full of strawberries as you go. Then add the dates and a cup of water before blending the mixture until it's smooth and runny.
Pour the mixture into a pitcher and add the ice cubes, as well as your mint leaves, along with three more cups of water. Put the lemonade in your fridge to chill for about thirty minutes before enjoying the first sip.
Very Berry Toothpaste
Baking soda works to remove tooth stains and even helps to keep breath fresh. Combined with strawberries, baking soda makes the perfect homemade toothpaste that's healthy, easy to use, and tasty too. You can make your own tooth scrub with these ingredients:
- 3 fresh or frozen strawberries (if using frozen, let them thaw first)
- 1 tbsp baking soda
- 2 teaspoons water
In a small bowl, mash the strawberries and baking soda together with a fork until well combined and lumpy. Then add the water and keep mashing until the paste turns into a smooth consistency. Use a spoon to spread a little paste on your toothbrush or simply dip a wet toothbrush into the paste before use. You can keep the leftovers in your fridge to use for up to a week.
Berry Cider Mouthwash
Using mouthwash between brushing sessions is a great way to keep your teeth fresh throughout the day, and when strawberries are introduced to mouthwash, you have yourself a whitening tool to rely on between dental visits. Forget about expensive mouthwashes at the store and make your own bottle at home using a reusable container with a lid and the following ingredients:
- 2 cups water
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- 6 fresh or frozen strawberries
- 1 tbsp baking soda
Use a piece of cheesecloth to squeeze as much strawberry juice as possible into a bowl and then transfer the juice into your reusable container. Pour the water and apple cider vinegar into the container, put the lid on, and shake the mixture vigorously for about 20 seconds so all the ingredients have a chance to fully combine.
Then add the baking soda to the container and reclose the lid – shake the mixture for another 30 seconds or until the baking soda dissolves in the liquid. You should shake the container well before each use, and you can keep the container right on the counter in your bathroom for easy access when you need a quick refresher.
With these recipes in your arsenal, you'll never get bored in the kitchen, and you'll enjoy white vibrant teeth, even with a morning coffee habit. For more dental tips, contact a local dentist or visit sites like http://www.claremontdentalinstitute.com.
