How Strawberries Can Help You Maintain A Bright Smile

Thanks to things like coffee, tea, and tobacco, it can be tough to maintain a glimmering smile between dental cleanings and whitening treatments. Daily brushing and flossing helps keep your teeth healthy, but may not keep them as white as you'd like. Believe it or not, strawberries are a secret weapon you can use to maintain the bright smile you want between dentist visits. This is because strawberries are full of astringents that work to lift surface stains, and they also contain lots of vitamin C which clears plaque away and naturally whitens teeth. Try using the following recipes at home to whiten and brighten your smile:

Berry Blast Breakfast Smoothie

Having a smoothie filled with berries for breakfast is a great way to start the day with an energized body and a gleaming smile. This smoothie is filling, full of fiber, and tastes so good that the whole family should enjoy it. Here is what you'll need to make two servings:

• 2 bananas, peeled and broken into chunks

• 8 fresh or frozen strawberries

• 1 cup milk

• 1 cup plain yogurt

• 1 cup ice cubes

Place everything into your blender and mix on high until well combined and smooth. You can put leftovers in the freezer for a few hours to create a creamy dessert.

Berry Delicious Whitening Toothpaste

Making your own toothpaste at home is fun and cost effective. This homemade toothpaste incorporates strawberries and hydrogen peroxide to whiten teeth and kill germs. Kids will love helping you make the paste, and should enjoy using it as much as you do. You will need the following ingredients to make a batch:

• 3 strawberries (if your berries are frozen, let them thaw before using)

• 1 tbsp hydrogen peroxide

• 1 tbsp baking soda

• 2 tbsp water

Place the berries in a small resealable container and use a fork to mash them until well combined. Add the rest of your ingredients to the container and mix with a fork until the concoction turns into a thick pink paste. It's a good idea to rinse your mouth with water after brushing to ensure that no small strawberry seeds are left stuck between your teeth. This homemade toothpaste will stay fresh in the fridge for about a week between uses.

With the help of these two strawberry-rich recipes, you are sure to feel confident about your healthy white smile every day between your professional whitening treatments from a top cosmetic dentist.