Coffee, tea, red wine and some soda can all stain your teeth and darken your smile.

But there are some commonfoodsthat can actually help whiten your teeth over time.

Theyre not as thoroughly effective as professional teeth whitening productsbut they are cheap and natural.

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And that should leave you smiling.

Try mashing up strawberries and rubbing them on your teeth.

Leave for five minutes then rinse with water and brush and floss as usual.

Surprisingly, these red berries can brighten your smile.

They also may kill bacteria that causes bad breath, and their crunch factor works to scrub teeth clean.

Beware of using lemons directly on teeth, because too much acidity can damage teeth.

To try it, your best bet is brushing with a commercial paste that contains the mild abrasive.

Crunchy veggies like carrots help clean teeth.

Yogurt, milk and cheese

Dairy products contain lactic acid, which may help protect teeth against decay.

Hard cheeses are best for whitening, since they help remove food particles as well.

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Mouth-watering citrus fruits act as a mouth wash.

Baking soda, an old-fashioned home remedy that works to whiten teeth.

Hard cheeses can both protect teeth and clean food particles.