Let’s face it. We all love a white set of teeth. They just make a smile go from pretty to incredible. Unfortunately, much of our diet includes foods and drinks that don’t help in keeping our teeth a brilliant white, but stains them into a dingy shade of white. Having your dentist whiten your teeth is fantastic, but can become pricey. Even over-the-counter whitening products do a fairly good job, but aren’t exactly good for our teeth with all the chemicals. So what’s a person to do to get back the pearl back in our pearly whites? That’s when we have to turn our attention to Mother Nature. The following is a list of foods that are not only nutritious, but will also help whiten our teeth at the same time.
Let’s start with the obvious. The fruit. Apples have been notorious in playing a huge role in our good health, so are we really surprised they also help whiten up our teeth too? The crispiness of the apple is what is doing most of the work here by helping to strengthen your gums. The juiciness of the apple produces saliva, which clears out all of that bacteria that gives us cavities. Another handheld fruit that does similar work while also neutralizing odor-causing, staining bacteria for your teeth is the pear. Another juicy treat that gives your teeth a good shine is the orange. Not only is the vitamin C good for you, the citric acid also scours your teeth. Just be careful, any type of acidic foods will slowly wear down your teeth’s enamel, leaving them more prone to stains and cavities. Everything in moderation. One fruit that may surprise you as a whitening agent is the strawberry. Yep, those delicious berries with the seeds that always get stuck in your teeth are actually helping them at the same time! The malic acid is the strawberry’s secret ingredient. So throw some fruit into your next salad. Not only will you have a yummy lunch, but you’ll have a set of pearly whites in no time.
When it comes to vegetables, it’s pretty obvious that they’re good for us but I never correlate an onion as a dental secret, unless that secret is how to scare away a bad date. But it’s true. This colorless veggie won’t stain your teeth and their natural alliums are actually good for you. And let’s face it, if you eat anything oniony, you’re much more apt to brush your teeth afterwards. Secret agent indeed. Broccoli is another veggie you wouldn’t exactly guess, but broccoli is probably Mother Nature’s most blatant toothbrush. Munching on these little “brushes” will not only supply your body with iron, but will give your teeth a quick scrub while it’s at it. Carrots and celery are the next in this line of veggies. All great vitamins packed inside, and the high water content is great for saliva production. And if you think about it, celery is kind of like nature’s floss so eat up!
Dairy is a superfood that works from the inside out. Chockful of calcium, foods like milk, yogurt and cheese strengthen your teeth and gums. The stronger your teeth enamel is, the white & healthy they become. Drinking your milk as a kid wasn’t just some ploy mom was pulling to torture you. She actually knows best.
