Nothing goes better with your sun-kissed skin than a set of pearly whites—but those store-bought tooth whitening strips contain chemicals that we’re not entirely sure we want sitting in our mouths for hours on end. Instead, try these natural tricks for brighter whites:
DIY strips: Combine your toothpaste with baking soda. Apply paste to aluminum foil and cover teeth. Leave for 1 hour and brush after removing. Repeat twice a week.
Berry effective: Rub a cut strawberry on your teeth (or just let mashed berries sit on your teeth) for a few minutes before rinsing. The malic acid in the berries helps remove stains.
Sage advice: Native Americans used sage to whiten teeth and freshen breath—try this wise recipe for a Salty Sage Tooth Whitener.
Lemony fresh: Squeeze some lemon drops on your toothbrush and give trouble spots a good scrubbing.
Cut out the culprit: If teas, coffees, dark-colored sodas and red wine are constants in your life, replace them with colorless liquids (aka water!) and be sure to brush teeth after every meal to remove residue.
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