Most people would say that they wish their teeth were just a little bit whiter and brighter, but either don’t want to spend the money on professional whitening or want to avoid the chemicals. Instead of shelling out the big bucks to make your pearly whites sparkle, try to add some of these naturally-whitening foods to your diet!

1. Strawberries

Sure, this sweet, tasty fruit might be bright read, but strawberries contain malic acid, which is a natural astringent and helps to decrease surface discolouration of the teeth. Add strawberries to any meal, breakfast, lunch or dinner, or enjoy them as a wonderful summer snack.

2. Seeds and Nuts

These healthy snacks have a slightly abrasive quality, which helps to remove any food remnants, plaque or stains off of the teeth. Not only will they clean your teeth nicely, but you will get a nice nutritional bonus, too!

3. Carrots and Celery

Because of the high water content in these veggie snacks, they are not only great for you for controlling your weight, but they help you to produce more saliva, which will help keep foods from sticking to and staining your teeth.

4. Onions

One of the tricks about eating onions is that most people think it will give them bad breath (which it probably will), so people are more likely to brush right after eating onions—a surefire way to help keep your teeth whiter and brighter.

5. Baking Soda

Brushing with this baking ingredient and household cleaner can have terrific results when you are trying to have a whiter smile. Because baking soda is a “base,” and has a mildly abrasive quality, it is a great way to scrub stains off your teeth.

6. Apples

Crunch, juicy and sweet, apples are also really good for your teeth. The crisp texture helps to strengthen your gum tissue. They have a high water content, which helps to stimulate saliva production, which can lower the amount of bacteria in your mouth that can build plaque—this helps keep your teeth cleaner and whiter!

7. Broccoli

This natural toothbrush helps to scrub the surface of your teeth and remove stains. Broccoli doesn’t stick to your teeth and cause any stains. Enjoy steamed, broiled or raw and enjoy the benefits of a tasty tooth-brushing!

8. Oranges

Although citrus fruits can be acidic and cause wear of the enamel on your teeth, this generally will only occur in very large doses. The slight wearing of enamel can help to whiten and brighten teeth, just don’t overdo it! Plus, eating oranges helps you get a great nutritional bonus, too, with all of that wonderful vitamin C.

9. Hard Cheese

Hard cheeses contain large amounts of calcium, which will help to keep your teeth and gums strong. Cheese is also colourless, and will not stain your teeth. So, enjoy some cheese and get the added benefits of stronger chompers!

10. Pears

Pears contain compounds that help to neutralize odor-causing bacteria and stains. Enjoy this fruit for a snack, and help make your teeth whiter at the same time.

11. Yoghurt and Milk

These healthy dairy products are like superfoods for your teeth. Not only do they contain a lot of calcium, which helps to strengthen your teeth, but they help keep the enamel whiter, too.

12. Water

As if there aren’t already enough great reasons to drink plenty of water, did you realize that it can whiten your teeth, too? Water keeps you well hydrated, and can help to rinse food from your teeth before it has time to cause any stains. Drink plenty of water with each mean.

You don’t have to head to the dentist for a professional whitening or bleaching session, you can take steps every day toward having a whiter, brighter smile!