You may have straight teeth, but are they bright? Getting a white smile goes beyond whitening strips from the store or dental whitening treatments in the office. You have to do your part to keep up that brilliant smile at home. That means watching what you eat, as many foods and beverages cause staining to your teeth, such as coffee, berries, tea and wine. Get rid of that dim smile and adopt a brighter outlook. Check out these six foods that are great for a brilliant smile:
1. Eat apples. An apple a day may keep the doctor away, but it can also result in shinier, whiter teeth. Because they contain malic acid and vitamin C, apples can remove surface stains and plaque more readily. You can even crush up that apple and brush with it for more of an immediate effect. It doesn’t matter which kind of apple you choose, so go with your favorite.
2. Baking soda. While not technically a food, baking soda is safe to ingest. It’s cheap to buy (usually two for a buck at the grocery store) and can also be used to freshen your breath. You may already buy toothpaste with baking soda in it, but you don’t have to spend the extra money. Baking soda is just abrasive enough to get off those surface stains, but not so much that you damage the enamel of your teeth. Make a paste of water and baking soda and brush away. Repeat every other day.
3. Broccoli: This popular green food makes your mouth water, which stimulates extra saliva production, which in turn washes away food particles that can get lodged in your teeth. As such, broccoli is great for keeping bacteria and plaque at bay so that you don’t experience cavities or gingivitis.
4. Seeds and nuts: The abrasive texture of seeds and nuts like sunflower seeds, cashews, walnuts and almonds can remove surface stains without you even realizing it, says Redbook. Think of them as a natural exfoliator for your teeth! Buy a can, pop a handful every day, and watch the results.
5. Carrots: Just like seeds and nuts, carrots are also natural exfoliators due to their crisp texture. Carrots also make your mouth water, which, just like broccoli, is excellent for preventing bacteria and plaque buildup.
6. Celery: This vegetable has a natural buffing power that adds to the pearly appearance of your teeth. That’s because the stringy fibers in the celery, along with the crunchy texture, act like nature’s toothbrush. Also, because celery is so crunchy, it can help dislodge food particles from between the teeth. As a result, your gums stay healthy and as well as the tooth surface.
Need more healthy foods advice? Call Gary Demetriou, DMD, to book an appointment. We can be reached at 978-794-0010. We are dedicated to ensuring you retain that healthy, white, brilliant smile you’ve worked so hard to get!