We all know that one of the risks of tea, coffee and red wine drinking and smoking is that we might end up with stained teeth, but let’s face it – most of us still partake of at least one of these everyday habits.

Having shiny, pearly white teeth has become standard amongst celebrities and the young and beautiful, but teeth whitening procedures can be costly and generally involve the use of unpleasant, chemical-based products. So are there any natural ways to improve the appearance of your teeth that don’t involve a huge expenditure and utilise pure ingredients?

Brushing the teeth with strawberry pulp is one method of removing dental discolouration. Strawberries contain malic acid, which will remove staining over time and improve the appearance of your teeth. However, be aware that the sugar and acid in this juicy fruit could do damage to the enamel if you use the method too often, and to be on the safe side it is not a good idea to use strawberry pulp more than once a fortnight.

Baking Soda is an abrasive that can be used to remove plaque from the teeth, leaving them looking bright and shiny. Once again, however, too much use of an abrasive agent could leave you at risk of enamel damage.

Lemon juice and peroxide both contain bleaching agents. However, lemon juice is extremely acidic and peroxide surely tastes awful. It should be stressed that you have to be extremely careful when using peroxide solution and this is a definite ‘no’ for someone with sensitive teeth, gums or skin.

Probably the most appealing whitening method, therefore, is to use a paste of sage leaf and salt, combining abrasive action with a natural whitener. Sage is an ingredient in some of the manufactured whitening products on the market and is not too unpleasant in flavour.

Finally, remember that there is no substitute for regular, thorough toothbrushing with a good paste and the daily use of dental floss.

Avoiding tea, coffee, red wine and cigarettes will always help, as will eating raw vegetables and apples and drinking water after meals to flush the mouth through between brushing. In time you’ll be well on the way to a Hollywood smile without having to resort to drastic measures.

Rhian Gibbings