Oral health is an extremely important part of overall health. Keeping the teeth, tongue, and gums clean and healthy by removing harmful bacteria is essential to having strong teeth. But this requires a lot of care and attention. To make the process easier, you may try some natural remedies at home and add some foods to your nutrition regime to keep your teeth shining bright and healthy. Take a look.

Strawberries
These berries are not just delicious but also great for oral health. Strawberries contain malic acid, which is known to be a natural enamel whitener. They also contain citric acid, which can help enhance the white appearance of the teeth. However, citric acid is known to demineralize the teeth; so always make sure you don’t go overboard. You can try rubbing cut strawberries on your teeth and leave them on for a couple of minutes before rinsing your mouth.

Carrots
Plaque and tartar buildup is common on teeth and it can lead to decay faster than its normal timeline. Carrots are especially great for breaking down plaque and tartar. Because of the thick texture of these vegetables, eating carrots can help you fight against tooth decay by cleaning up the teeth. Also, because carrots take longer than other soft foods to be chewed, they help create more saliva than usual, which also helps in breaking down plaque and tartar buildup.

Dairy
Dairy products like yogurt, hard cheese, and even milk can be used to whiten the teeth. They contain lactic acid and calcium, which is an enamel-fortifying mineral. These two not only whiten the teeth but also add strength. Chewing on hard cheeses is especially great as it prompts the production of saliva, which is essential in cleaning teeth by removing unnecessary food particles and stains.

Leafy greens
This may sound surprising but leafy greens like kale and spinach are great for teeth whitening. They contain folic acid, which helps keep the enamel clean without destroying or decaying it like citric acid. They also help in fortifying the tooth enamel, which helps prevent cavities in the future.

Orange peels
Oranges have high nutritional value and are great for gum health. But they are also extremely high in citric acid. This citric acid is known to demineralize the teeth, causing harm to the enamel; however, the orange peels are actually a great substitute for teeth whitening. The peels contain vitamin C, which can help with teeth cleaning. Rub the inner part of the peel, the white part, onto your teeth and let it stay for some time before rinsing your mouth. The peel does not contain a high amount of citrus, and thus, causes no harm.

Baking soda
This not only whitens the teeth but also helps get rid of stains from the teeth, even for those with sensitive teeth. All you need is some baking soda and water. Combine one tbsp of baking soda with some water to make a paste, then use your brush to apply this paste to your teeth. Brush your teeth like usual in circular motions and then rinse thoroughly. You can use this remedy regularly to see results.

Poor dental hygiene can lead to a number of problems, one of which is periodontal disease. It is a condition that, in the initial stage, causes swollen gums that then turn red, which can lead to bleeding. As the condition progresses to a severe stage, gums may pull away from teeth and bone matter may deteriorate. This can lead to loose teeth that may fall out. Periodontal disease can be prevented by brushing and flossing daily. One could also use remineralizing toothpaste containing active ingredients that could strengthen teeth and prevent the development of white spot lesions. If one wishes to opt for braces to align their teeth, they must speak with a dental expert first. The expert will assess if the various mouth parts are healthy enough to provide support.