There are many foods known to stain teeth, so you may wonder what foods can help whiten your teeth. While the quickest ways to whiten teeth come in the form of professional teeth whitening products, there are actually some foods that can do the job naturally over time. The best part is that their low cost, nutritional value, and delicious taste will surely leave you smiling.
Strawberries
Don’t let their color fool you; strawberries are actually a great way to whiten your teeth naturally. Strawberries are full of malic acid, a natural whitening agent. If you want to take full advantage of this natural remedy, crush up a few strawberries and spread the pulp on your teeth. Wait for about 5 minutes. Make sure to brush afterward since strawberries also contain lots of sugar.
Apples
Fresh, crunchy apples are a great workout for your mouth. Lots of chewing means your gums and jaw will get stronger! Apples also scrub particles from your mouth while you eat them. The high water content increases saliva production with acts as a stain remover and keeps your teeth looking white and shiny.
Carrots
Carrots have the added benefit of helping clean and whiten your teeth. By aiding in the increase of saliva production, they act as stain removers. What’s more, as you chew them they scour your teeth, aiding in the cleaning of the teeth as you chew. This is just one more reason to eat your vegetables regularly!
Pineapples
This tropical fruit is a delicious treat that also helps clean your teeth. Pineapple’s high acid content makes your mouth water, which cleans out your teeth naturally. This process helps to remove stains.
Oranges
If you regularly eat these kinds of fruits, your mouth is being regularly cleaned and stains are prevented from accumulating on your teeth. However, don’t try this with other acidic fruits like lemons, because the acidity is much stronger and may actually break down your teeth.
Cheese
We all know that dairy is good for your bones, and your teeth are no exception! Dairy products like yogurt, milk, and cheese give your teeth extra calcium which helps strengthen them against tooth decay. Eating harder cheeses gives you the added benefit of scouring your teeth to remove any unwanted particles.
Be Consistent
The best ways to ensure white teeth is regular dental care. Avoiding or limiting consumption of foods and drinks that cause stains is the best prevention. Beyond this, brushing and flossing twice a day and making an effort to eat healthy foods like fruits and vegetables rich in nutrients will help keep your teeth healthy and white. It’s also important to avoid sugary and pigmented drinks. The above fruits and vegetable are effective at neutralizing acids that accumulate to stain the teeth and act as natural scours to prevent bacteria buildup.
If you maintain a consistent schedule for dental hygiene and are conscious of the things you regularly eat and drink, you will have fewer dental problems and a whiter, more luminous smile. If you have questions about keeping your teeth white with braces or want to schedule an appointment, give McDonough Utah Orthodontics a call!