We’ve all heard about coffee, wine, and other foods and drinks to avoid after teeth whitening. What about the foods that are good for your teeth though? At-home dental bleaching and professional teeth whitening at the dentist can quickly lighting and brighten your smile, but the foods you eat can also play a role in keeping your pearly whites as white as they can be. Check out these nine foods that naturally whiten teeth.
Seeds And Nuts
Seeds and nuts are slightly abrasive, which essentially turns them into mini toothbrushes that swish around your mouth. The hard texture of these foods rubs off plaque from the surface of your teeth so you end up with a whiter smile after you’re done eating. Nuts are full of protein, making them the perfect filling food for a mid-day snack at work. You can enhance your smile and keep your tummy full at the same time.
Onions
Onions made this list not because of their ability to whiten, but rather their ability to encourage people to brush their teeth. Eating onions inevitably leads to bad breath – so bad that you can taste it. You’re much more likely to brush and floss after eating something with onions in it. You also don’t have to worry about potentially staining your teeth because onions are colorless. Eat as much as you want and your smile will stay the same color.
Carrots And Celery
Carrots and celery both have high water content, making them an excellent choice for keeping your teeth clean. Extra water in your mouth encourages saliva production, which helps keep your teeth clean and reduces the amount of bacteria in your mouth. That’s why chewing sugarless gum after a meal is said to improve your oral health because it keeps the saliva circulating around your teeth.
Apples
Apples are similar to the vegetables mentioned above in the sense that their high water content yields more saliva in your mouth. In addition to that though, the crisp skin on the outside of apples is great for your gums. If you want to get the most out of your apple eating, try biting into a whole apple as opposed to eating slices. The more you “chomp,” the more you will strengthen your gums.
Milk And Yogurt
Milk and yogurt are both rich in calcium, which is great for strengthening your enamel. Enamel covers the dentin on the inside of your teeth, which is dark yellow. The more it shines through, the more discolored your teeth will look. With that in mind, not all calcium-rich foods are designed to brighten your smile. For instance, spinach is packed with calcium, but its dark pigment can quickly stain the strong enamel you have built up in your mouth. Focus on drinking milk and eating yogurt as a snack if you want to eat your way to a whiter smile.
Strawberries
Strawberries have a special component in them known as malic acid, which is great for removing surface stains from your teeth. It’s logical to stray away from red foods because they typically discolor teeth, but strawberries are a pleasant exception to the rule. With the summer months coming up, you have a perfect excuse to buy out all the strawberries you want from your local farmers market. The fresher they are, the better they’ll be for your smile.
Water
We’ve said this before and we’ll say it again: drinking water is great for your teeth! While the water itself may not provide any dental bleaching, it prevents stains from building up on the surface. Water also improves circulation for all of your body’s systems, keeping your health in tip-top shape. If your body is healthy, your mouth will be healthy too.
Try to drink at least eight glasses of water a day, or more if you have an active lifestyle. Once you get used to doing this, you will be less tempted to drink sodas and teas that can stain your teeth over time. Consider this your instant motivation to take great care of your smile.
Don’t Forget To Brush And Floss
Eating all these delicious foods will do wonders for your smile, but at the end of the day, they can still create bacteria and plaque in your mouth. It’s important to floss at least once a day and brush at least twice a day in order to keep your smile looking its best. Get in the habit of brushing after breakfast and before you go to bed, and you will see a big difference in your overall oral health. Make sure to attend your dental cleanings twice a year, and you will be on your way to a brilliant white smile in no time!
