Here’s 10 steps to whiter teeth at home! Whitening your teeth at home is a combination of good habits, and knowing which foods and household items are effective in brightening your teeth.

1. Brush after you have any of these:

I’m not saying give these up. Just try to brush after you enjoy them:

• Red wine
• Coffee
• Some types of tea: Irish breakfast tea, for example
• Soft drinks
• Sports drinks
• Tomato sauce
• Cherries
• Smoking tobacco/chewing tobacco

Try bringing a travel toothbrush to work or events, and sneak in a brushing after lunch or dinner. Not only will you be keeping your teeth white and inviting, but you’ll have fresh breath for the rest of the night.

2. Orange peel

You know that bitter white stuff on the inside of the orange peel? It’s called the pith and it rubs away plaque and stains like a charm! Have an orange with breakfast, and rub the peel all over your teeth. No joke, this works wonders. Try it in the mirror to see the difference it makes.

3. Strawberries

Strawberries are surprisingly great for your teeth, they don’t stain them red like you may think. The flesh inside them has been proven to remove surface stains on teeth. Pop a few after breakfast for fresh breath and stain-free teeth.

Another great way to enjoy strawberries for a happy, healthy mouth is to make a delicious glass of strawberry-infused water. Drink it and swish it around to clean out your mouth and freshen your breath. When you’re finished, eat the strawberries! This is a great morning pick-me-up.

4. DIY Toothpaste

It’s easy and cheap, and you can personalize it to your needs. Usually homemade toothpaste consists of hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and coconut oil.

5. The old fashioned way

Some swear by the old fashioned method for clean, glistening white teeth. You be the judge! All you need is hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. Both cost around one dollar or so at most drugstores and grocery stores. Dip your toothbrush head in a capful of hydrogen peroxide, then coat it with baking soda and brush your teeth as normal. The taste won’t be what you’re used to. If you want a minty flavor, add a drop or two of peppermint oil.

6. Coconut oil pulling

This is the new mouthwash, we swear by it. It’s essentially the process of swishing coconut oil around in your mouth for at least 10 minutes, lifting away caked on plaque and food bits. It creates a sheen surface on your teeth — and the gentle nature of coconut oil makes it great for sensitive teeth.

Scoop 2–4 teaspoons of coconut oil and break it up in your mouth until it melts into a liquid. You’ll need to set aside a good amount of time to do your oil pulling, between 10 and 20 minutes! The longer you swish, the cleaner your teeth will be. (Try it in the shower!)

Adding essential oils makes for an even better pulling experience. Try peppermint or tea tree for a minty blast and a thorough clean. Lavender is great for sensitive or damaged gums. Check out this quick demo from Dr. Axe:

7. Invest in an electric toothbrush

The micropulsation of an electric toothbrush is very effective in cleaning built up plaque and stains. It makes it easier and faster to give your teeth a thorough clean. Some of the higher end brands of electric toothbrushes give you the feel of a dentist’s office cleaning with every time you brush. They do what you can’t do manually.

I use a Sonicare, and I absolutely swear by it. I’ve never needed a new one because it’s so reliable and effective, which is surprising for how long I’ve kept it. I get my brush heads from a generic supplier, however because replacement heads at the drugstore cost an arm and a leg.

8. Banana peel

Another odd one, the banana peel is a great teeth whitener on the go! Gently rub the inside of the banana peel (with the soft white flesh in it) to brighten up your teeth in a flash.

Also be sure that you are eating fully ripe bananas. A banana is fully ripe when the peel is a deep yellow and it has brown dots and streaks throughout the peel. It’s important to make sure your banana is fully ripe so that you can absorb all the vitamins and good carbohydrates without disrupting your digestive system.

9. Eat crunchy fruits and veggies

For healthy stain-free teeth, eat a diet rich in vitamin-filled fruits and vegetables. Some great options include apples, celery, mango, bananas, strawberries, oranges, papaya, pineapple, carrot, and melon. (Apples, celery and carrot make great on-the-go breath fresheners, and they clear away plaque).

10. Change your toothbrush at regular intervals

2 months is a good amount of time. Toothbrushes hold a lot of buildup if you use them for too long. Why bother brushing if you’re just introducing more bacteria? Buy multi-packs of toothbrushes. You’ll save some money by buying in bulk, and you’ll be quicker to change out your brushes if you have a good supply.

If you have an electric toothbrush, see if the brush heads are available to purchase online. You can typically save money by buying them in bulk, or buying the generic version of your brush head. Here’s where I get mine for my Sonicare.