3 Teeth Whitening Smoothie Recipes The Whole Family Will Love

Regular checkups and cleanings at the cosmetic dentist's office is the most effective way to maintain healthy white teeth, but there are a few things you can do at home to maximize your teeth's healthy glow between dental appointments. In addition to daily brushing and flossing, drinking plenty of water, and limiting sugary snacks throughout the day, you can make use of foods – such as strawberries – to naturally whiten your teeth without hampering their health.

Strawberries are filled with astringents and vitamin C, which work together to scrub away surface stains and get rid of plaque buildup so your teeth can shine. These three teeth whitening recipes are sure to be a hit with your whole family:

Berry Lemon Blast

This simple smoothie is sweet and tart, reminiscent of a home-baked pie. Perfect for breakfast, this berry lemon blast makes for a filling snack too. It holds up well in containers, so consider making enough to send some to school with the kids for lunch. Here's what you'll need to make a batch:

• 2 cups fresh or frozen strawberries
• 2 medium bananas
• Fresh juice of 1 ½ lemons
• 2 cups ice cubes

Put all of your ingredients into a blender and mix on high until smooth and creamy. You can make a light sorbet dessert by freezing the leftovers for a few hours.

Tropical Berry Shake

With the help of this tangy smoothie you can start your morning off in a tropical paradise. Full of antioxidants and healthy fats, you'll stay satisfied for hours after sipping on a glass of this tropical berry shake. The ingredients you'll need to make a blender-full include:

• 1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries
• 1 medium banana
• ½ cup organic coconut milk
• ½ cup fresh or frozen pineapple chunks
• 1 cup ice cubes
• 5 fresh mint leaves (optional)

Place the ice cubes, strawberries, and pineapple in your blender and mix on medium setting until the fruit breaks up into tiny pieces. Add the coconut milk, ice cubes, and mint leaves if using and blend on high until smooth and creamy. Serve immediately, or freeze to create a creamy treat for later.

Berry Nut Butter Smoothie

Those who enjoy a heavy meal in the morning are sure to appreciate this berry nut butter smoothie. It's thick, creamy, and features a hint of peanut butter that fills up the belly and provides a big dose of energy to take advantage of throughout the day. You'll need the following ingredients to make this smoothie:

• 2 cups fresh or frozen strawberries
• ½ cup milk
• 2 tbsp peanut butter or a handful of roasted peanuts
• 1 cup ice cubes

Throw everything except the milk into your blender and mix on high until roughly blended. Add the milk and mix on low until smooth and creamy, stopping to scrape the sides of the blender if necessary. This smoothie too makes a great frozen treat after being kept in the freezer overnight.

Sipping on these smoothies to fuel up in the morning is an excellent way to support white teeth as well as a healthy body, heart, and mind.