Many people know the importance in brushing, flossing, and going to the dentist regularly to help ward off bacteria and decay in their mouths. Doing these things will help in keeping smiles bright and white, but they are not always quite enough. Staining from foods and beverages can take their toll even on the teeth of people who practice the best oral care procedures. Here are some ways to get your teeth looking whiter using only natural methods you can find in your kitchen.

Baking Soda

Consider making a baking soda toothpaste to help scrub away surface stains. This paste can be made by mixing equal parts of baking soda and water. Dip your toothbrush into the paste and brush for up to a minute. Reserve this method for once a week as it works so well it can remove the enamel layer from your teeth if done too often.

Fresh Fruit

If you have a few fresh strawberries, mash them into a pulp using a fork and use this as a tooth whitener. Simply lean your head back and put the pulp on the fronts of affected teeth. Leave in place for a few minutes and then spit out. The malic acid in strawberries is a natural whitening agent. The insides of banana peels will also help make your teeth appear brighter. Rub directly to stained teeth to help reduce darkened areas. The insides of lemon and orange peels have the same result on stains, but they are a little harsher on enamel, making them secondary to bananas if you have a choice.

Coconut Oil

One of the newest discoveries is using coconut oil to pull bacteria from your mouth. This is done by swishing it around in your mouth for several minutes. When you spit it out, impurities are removed along with stains that were on the surface of your teeth. This is a harmless method that has great results.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Another method to give a try is using apple cider vinegar as a mouthwash. It makes sense that this would work in removing surface stains, as it is a known cleaning agent. Many people use vinegar to clean household items-- why not try it on your teeth? Apple cider vinegar is preferred over distilled white vinegar because it tastes a bit better. When using, make sure to rinse well with water afterward as it is another method that will remove enamel as well as surface stains if left on the teeth too long. Visit http://www.nwidentist.com/ for more information.