Are You Afraid to Go to the Dentist?

If you're like most folks, you likely enjoy indulging in things like chocolate or coffee at least once in a while. But while treats like these are tasty, they tend to dull teeth between professional whitening treatments. Luckily, there are some foods such as strawberries that you can enjoy at any time without sacrificing a bright smile – in fact, strawberries can help you enhance your professional teeth whitening results between dental visits. Strawberries contain astringents that effectively remove tooth stains when they're enjoyed, and their vitamin C content helps clear and reduce additional buildup. Here are a few recipes to consider incorporating into your lifestyle:

Berrylicious Toothpaste

You can effectively combat plaque and stain occurrence by using your own homemade toothpaste in place of your commercial brand a few times a week. The strawberries in this homemade toothpaste recipe do the heavy lifting and provide the flavor, so choose those that are fresh and juicy. This paste takes just a few minutes to make, and it can be kept fresh in the fridge for up to about a week between uses.

However, you can make large batches and freeze them for convenient longer term use. You'll just need to let the paste defrost in the fridge overnight after taking it out of the freezer and before using it. Here is what is needed to make enough berrylicious toothpaste for about 10 uses:

• 3 fresh strawberries
• 1 tbsp water
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp fresh lemon juice

Pick the greens off your strawberries and put the berries in a small bowl. Add the water and use a fork to mash the berries until they become creamy and mushy. Then add the baking soda and lemon juice to the berries and use the fork to mash again until thoroughly combined. You can dip your toothbrush in the paste if you'll be using it alone. Otherwise, use a small spoon to distribute the paste to toothbrushes.

Berry Minty Mouthwash

Support white teeth and a bright smile with the help of your own homemade mouthwash after brushing, between meals, and when you simply feel the need to freshen up a little. This homemade mouthwash is minty enough to tickle your taste buds and leave your breath fresh long after its been used. You can make your household a batch with the following ingredients:

• A reusable plastic botle
• 1 cup water
• 5 fresh or frozen strawberries  (if frozen, let them thaw before using)
• 1 tsp hydrogen peroxide
• ½ tsp baking soda
• 6 drops peppermint essential oil

Put the strawberries and ½ a cup of water into your blender and mix on medium setting until the berries totally break down into the water and create a juice. Use a nut milk bag or cheesecloth to strain the juice into your reusable bottle (you may need to use a small funnel or strain the juice into a bowl and then pour it into your bottle) and then add the rest of the ingredients to the mix. Put the top on the bottle and give it a few vigorous shakes before using.

This berry minty mouthwash can be kept right by the bathroom sink for about a week between uses. If you think it will take longer than a week to use the mouthwash, you can keep it in the fridge for up to 10 days before the risk of spoilage should occur.

These basic, yet effective homemade teeth whitening recipes are sure to keep your family's smiles bright between dental visits. In addition to incorporating these berry recipes into your household's lifestyle, keep a bowl of fresh berries on the kitchen counter whenever possible so a healthy dose of whitening power is available at snack time. For more tips for keeping a healthy smile, contact your dentist.