10 Foods That Naturally Whiten Your Teeth

Wed, Jan 1st, 2025

Everyone loves a bright, confident smile, but achieving pearly white teeth doesn’t always require expensive products or harsh chemicals. Believe it or not, the foods you eat can naturally help whiten your teeth while supporting overall oral health.

At Arnold Dentistry, we’re passionate about helping you maintain a healthy, beautiful smile. Read on to discover 10 foods that act as natural teeth whiteners and tips to keep stains at bay.

1. Strawberries

Strawberries might be bright red, but they’re surprisingly effective at helping whiten teeth. These delicious berries contain malic acid, a natural enzyme that gently removes surface stains.

How to use them: Mash a ripe strawberry into a paste and apply it to your teeth. Let it sit for one to two minutes, then rinse thoroughly and brush. While effective, avoid overdoing this trick as the natural acid could wear down enamel with frequent use.

2. Apples

An apple a day doesn’t just keep the doctor away; it can also brighten your smile. Apples are packed with malic acid, just like strawberries, and their crunchy texture helps scrub away plaque and food particles as you chew.

Pro tip: Enjoy a crisp apple for a mid-day snack, and you’ll naturally clean your teeth while promoting saliva production—your body’s natural defense against stains.

3. Carrots and Celery

Crunchy vegetables like carrots and celery work as nature’s toothbrush. Their fibrous texture removes food particles and plaque while stimulating saliva, which helps neutralize acids and clean your teeth.

Why it works: Chewing these veggies requires extra effort, which means they mechanically “scrub” your teeth while you eat.

Bonus: Carrots are loaded with Vitamin A, which strengthens enamel.

4. Pineapple

Pineapple is one of the few fruits that contain bromelain, an enzyme that helps break down plaque and surface stains. It’s even an active ingredient in some whitening toothpaste!

Tip: Enjoy pineapple in its natural form for the most benefits, as canned or sugary versions can harm teeth over time.

5. Cheese and Yogurt

Dairy products, such as cheese and yogurt, are excellent for strengthening your teeth while naturally removing stains. They contain lactic acid and are rich in calcium, which fortifies enamel. Hard cheeses, like cheddar, also stimulate saliva production, which helps wash away harmful acids.

Quick fix: A small serving of cheese after meals can help cleanse your teeth while reducing the risk of cavities.

6. Broccoli

Raw broccoli might not be the most glamorous food, but its fibrous texture acts like a natural scrubber for your teeth. In addition to cleaning as you chew, broccoli is high in iron, which forms a protective barrier against acid erosion.

Easy tip: Add raw broccoli to your snacks or salads for its natural cleaning power.

7. Oranges (but not the juice)

Oranges can be tricky. While orange juice is acidic and can erode enamel, the pith (the white part inside the peel) is great for natural teeth whitening. The pith’s texture gently polishes teeth without being too abrasive.

DIY hack: Rub the inside of an orange peel on your teeth for a minute or two, then rinse with water. Avoid acidic juice afterward to protect the enamel.

8. Nuts and Seeds

Nuts and seeds are small but mighty when it comes to scrubbing away surface stains. Their slightly abrasive texture works like a gentle exfoliant for your teeth. Almonds, walnuts, and sesame seeds are particularly effective for removing plaque while providing healthy fats and calcium to strengthen enamel.

Snack tip: Keep a handful of nuts or seeds as an on-the-go snack to improve your teeth and overall health.

9. Water

Water is simple but powerful when it comes to maintaining a bright smile. It rinses away food particles, acids, and staining substances like coffee or wine before they can set in.

Best practice: After drinking darker beverages or eating stain-prone foods, swish water around your mouth to minimize their impact.

Tip: Drinking water throughout the day keeps your mouth hydrated and supports overall oral health.

10. Baking Soda (Use Sparingly)

While not technically a food, baking soda is a well-known natural whitening remedy. It’s mildly abrasive, which helps scrub away surface stains without damaging enamel if used in moderation.

How to use it: Mix a small pinch of baking soda with water to create a paste and brush your teeth gently. Do this no more than once a week to avoid enamel erosion.

Tips to Keep Your Smile Bright

While these foods can help naturally whiten your teeth, here are some extra tips to maintain a bright, healthy smile:

Avoid Staining Foods and Drinks: Reduce coffee, tea, red wine, and dark berries when possible. Rinse with water afterward to limit their impact
Eat Crunchy Foods: Foods like apples, carrots, and celery scrub your teeth naturally and stimulate saliva
Practice Good Oral Hygiene: Brush twice a day, floss daily, and visit your dentist regularly for cleanings

When Natural Whitening Isn’t Enough

While these foods can help brighten your smile over time, natural methods work best for mild surface stains. For deeper stains or faster results, professional whitening treatments may be the solution.

Contact Arnold Dentistry for Professional Teeth Whitening

If you’re looking to achieve a brighter smile quickly and effectively, Arnold Dentistry offers professional teeth whitening services tailored to your needs. Whether you want to remove years of stains or enhance your smile for a special occasion, we’re here to help!

(813) 689-1529