What To Eat and Drink For Whiter Teeth

 You’ve probably read more than one article about the colour of your teeth, the food you eat and the beverages you consume. Has the news always seemed bad? It’s true, coffee and tea will stain your teeth. Red wine is also a villain. So, too, are tomato and soy-based sauces. Don’t even get us started on fruits like pomegranates and even blueberries. They can both stain teeth. But it’s not all bad news. According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, there are several foods and beverages that can actually whiten your teeth. Here they are.

Pineapples contain the enzyme bromelain that acts as a natural stain remover. The enzyme helps to break up the bacterial film on your teeth — called plaque — that produces acid that can destroy tooth enamel and produce cavities.

Calcium, protein and phosphorus-rich cheese helps to soften the harmful effect of acids in your mouth. Phosphorus and calcium also replace minerals lost in your teeth. A diet containing plenty of cheese will contribute to your dental health but, to ensure your cardiac health at the same time, choose low-fat cheese options.

According to a 2008 study reported in the Journal of Clinical Dentistry, the extremely accessible and inexpensive ingredient baking soda is a powerful contributor to dental health. Toothpastes containing baking soda are better at removing plaque than toothpastes without the ingredient. Homemade pastes of baking soda and water used occasionally and followed by thorough rinsing can also keep your teeth at their cleanest and whitest.

Like pineapples, strawberries contain a natural ingredient ― this time, malic acid — that has astringent effects to remove stains and discolourations from your teeth. Some people even wipe their teeth with mashed strawberry for a whitening effect. Whenever you use acidic fruits for tooth whitening, though, be sure to rinse thoroughly because those acids can, if left on your teeth too long, erode your tooth enamel. Apples contain malic acid too, making them also a great food for whitening  your teeth.

Oranges are another fruit that, when used properly to minimize the harsh effects of acidity, can help to whiten your teeth. To get the whitening benefits of oranges, wash the orange peel thoroughly and rub the white surface on the inside of the peel on your teeth to help to minimize plaque and tartar accumulation. The peel doesn’t contain the potentially harmful acids contained in the flesh of the fruit itself.

Broccoli — especially when eaten raw — helps to whiten your teeth. The physical act of eating raw broccoli helps to clean your teeth thanks to its crunchy texture. Apples and celery help keep your teeth clean and white the same way. Celery offers the added benefit of helping to create extra saliva in your mouth, saliva that is essential to maintaining a healthy environment of your mouth. But back to broccoli! The physical act of eating and the high iron content in broccoli helps to strengthen your teeth enamel and to fend off bacteria, stains and erosion by acids.

Abrasive substances help to clean and whiten your teeth, but it’s important that those substances not be too harsh to avoid destroying enamel on your teeth. The abrasive texture of walnuts, sunflower seeds, cashews, almonds and (especially) sesame seeds are natural exfoliants that can scrub away plaque and even contain calcium to boost your enamel.

You may overlook this last one: water. Water helps to protect your teeth by rinsing away pigment-rich foods and fluids, lowering the acidity in your mouth and, by ensuring you stay hydrated, helping to prevent the formation of stains.

If you’re interested in teeth whitening in Dryden through other methods, get in touch with a dental office near you. Your dentist will review the health and condition of your teeth and the precise nature of the stains tainting your smile. With that information, your Dryden dentist will recommend the best methods of getting your teeth as white as possible — even beyond what you can achieve through your diet alone.