Teeth whitening is a billion dollar industry. There's no shortage of whitening kits, toothpastes, and oral rinses you can buy to get your smile brighter. But, a lot of these products contain harsh chemicals. If you're looking for natural, non toxic ways to brighten your smile, we've got you covered.

What you eat and drink on regular basis can play a big role in how healthy your smile is. Coffee. Wine. Sugary sodas. Some things you indulge in can dull your smile with stains and increase plaque build up more quickly. Luckily, there are also foods full of vitamins and minerals that promote stronger teeth and good oral health. Some even help clean your teeth for you!

Here are the top 5 ways to get a brighter smile, no chemicals included.

Add These Foods to Your Diet

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Blueberries, raspberries, and cranberries all contain anthocyanins that help stop bacteria from sticking to your teeth. Malic acid found in strawberries is a natural enamel whitener. Despite their red color, strawberries actually whiten your teeth while you eat them. Apples and pears are also rich in malic acid.

New York Based dentist Alex Rubinov, DDS, also recommends incorporating more raw, crunchy foods into you diets. He told Well and Good that vegetables like celery and radishes cause a natural abrasion on the surface of your teeth which helps removes stains and bacteria build up.

Another easy tip? Eat cheese with your wine. Seriously. Proteins found in cheese help counteract the acid in wine and the casein and whey protein helps keep your tooth enamel strong.

Detox with Activated Charcoal

Activated charcoal pasteHello Glo

You've likely come across images or videos of people brushing their teeth with a dark gooey paste to get whiter smile on social media. Despite the black color, activated charcoal is a powerful natural detoxifier that can promote good oral health and whiter teeth.

How exactly does charcoal work to brighten your smile?

Activated charcoal is combined with gas or an activating agent at extremely high temperatures. When used internally or externally it draws out toxins and helps restore a healthy ph level in your mouth. Brushing your teeth with activated charcoal powder can be a great addition to your oral hygiene routine. It helps lift stains and improve your gum health.

Try using this activated charcoal powder with a few drops of water to make a paste. Leave the mixture on your teeth for about 3 minutes and then rinse. While you shouldn't use activated charcoal in place of regular toothpaste it's an effective way to help whiten teeth when used a few times a week.

Drink More Water

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Staying hydrated helps flush toxins out of your body and keep your mouth clean. Water will also help keep stains away if you drink a glass after enjoying coffee, wine, or other teeth staining foods. While it sounds simple, flushing or rinsing with water is one of the most effective ways to lift bacteria and stains off of your teeth before they even have a chance to set it.

Try Brushing with Turmeric

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Turmeric is a powerful anti inflammatory that's being added to everything from lattes to face creams. It's also an ancient secret for teeth whitening. While it seems more likely that turmeric would leave behind stains, and it can, brushing with turmeric has the opposite effect. Combining turmeric and coconut oil makes a incredible paste for cleaning your teeth.

The fatty quality of coconut oil sticks to the fatty layer of bacteria film that builds up on the outer layer of your teeth and helps to pull it away. The turmeric mixed in creates an abrasion effect that helps lift stains and even more bacteria off. The healing qualities of turmeric also help reduce inflammation in your gums.

Keep Up with Your Cleanings

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This tip might sound obvious but it's a surefire way to make sure your smile stays bright and your gums stay healthy. Visiting your dentist for regular checkups and cleanings every 6 months will make sure plaque build up is removed and stains are fully cleaned away.

Did you know that skipping your dental cleanings can lead to serious gum recession and even gingivitis and periodontal disease? Once your gums line starts to recede it doesn't grow back. Don't skip your cleanings and floss, floss, floss!

You can search for holistic dentists in you area here.