6 Foods That Protect and Whiten Your Smile
KAREN SIMPSON
If you’re looking in the mirror wondering what you can do about your stained, yellow teeth, you are in luck. You’re about to learn about some foods that whiten your smile while they protect your teeth from some nasty oral issues such as gum disease and tooth decay.
#1: Strawberries
You may look at strawberries and think they will stain your teeth pink, but that’s not true. Actually, strawberries work as a natural astringent that removes surface tooth discoloration. It can safely wash away all of the icky coffee and soda particles that lead to teeth staining, so give it a try.
#2: Nuts and Seeds
Those hard little pieces of nuts and seeds will rub on your teeth and make them clean. The bonus is that they are chocked full of protein and include healthy fats that your body needs to stay in tip-top shape.
#3: Onions
Okay, so this doesn’t help you with bad breath, but it does help you keep your teeth pearly white. The combination of the onion texture and juice rubs away particles that lead to teeth discoloration.
If you’re really worried about the bad breath, a trick is to eat an apple, pear, or plum after the onion. The bonus is that these fruits can also help you keep your teeth white and healthy, as you’ll read about in the next food.
#4: Apples
An apple a day will keep the dentist away! Those crunchy apples aren’t only good for your physical health, but they are good for your oral health too. They have a high water content, so when you bite into one and start chewing it up, those pieces rub on your teeth and the water washes away any debris that’s on them. They even stimulate saliva production, which will help you keep your bad breath at bay.
#5: Celery
Celery can be just like apples because they are crunchy, juicy and stimulate saliva production. The added bonus of celery is that it’s stringy, so that can act as a natural flosser. While getting those little strings stuck in your teeth can be a pain, the benefits outweigh them.
#6: Oranges
Oranges are full of vitamin C and they are acidic, which can remove surface stains on your teeth. So not only do you support your immune system with them, but you’ll help whiten your smile.
Be careful, though. According to Dr.Stevens from Riverside Dental Care, “Eating a lot of oranges can eat away at your enamel, which could be detrimental to your overall health. You can eat an orange once and awhile, but don’t go overboard with it.”
Choose Food Wisely for Better Teeth
Every single thing you eat and drink passes through your mouth before hitting your stomach. It makes sense they all have an affect on your teeth and gums. Some of the foods and drinks you choose have a positive effect, while others have a negative one. If you consistently choose foods and drinks that are good for your oral health, you will be much more likely to see positive changes in your smile and overall health. Make wise choices and love your smile for many years to come.
Do you have a tip for keeping your pearly whites nice and bright?
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Karen is a Dental hygienist, writer, mom blogger passionate about overall health & researching topics on nutrition, and how to keep your family healthy in a busy life.