They
may be bright red, but malic acid, a chief component of this summery
fruit, acts as a natural astringent to remove surface tooth
discoloration, says Dr. Irwin Smigel, president of the American Society
for Dental Aesthetics. Fresh, juicy strawberries taste great in any
meal—salads, desserts, cereal—and are widely available at farmers
markets this time of year, so getting your daily dose is both simple and
delicious.
Onions
Although
they may not be the ideal pre-date snack, the notoriously
bad-for-breath alliums could be beneficial to teeth. Because they're
colorless, they won't cause surface stains, says Messina, adding that
after eating them you're more likely to brush—which is a surefire way to
get whiter teeth.
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Apples
The loud
crunch
you hear when you bite into this hard fruit may be annoying, but it's
also good for your choppers. Apples' crispiness strengthens gums, and
their high water content increases saliva production, dispersing and
neutralizing colonies of bacteria that lead to bad breath and plaque,
says Smigel.
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Seeds and nuts
Chewing
these lightly abrasive, hard foods rubs plaque and stains off the
surface of teeth, says Dr. Matthew Messina, a spokesperson for the
American Dental Association. Pop a few almonds for a mid-afternoon
snack—they're full of protein, healthy fats, and the crunch you need to
get pearly whites.
Charles Masters
Baking soda
Take
a toothpaste break and try brushing with this common ingredient. Baking
soda is a base, like bleach, notes Messina, and the "soda"—which is
actually a form of salt—in this pantry staple is a mild abrasive that
works to scrub off plaque and surface stains.
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Celery and carrots
The
same high water content that makes these veggies great for your
waistline and your health also helps them whiten your teeth by
stimulating saliva production, which aids in washing away food debris
and strengthening gums, according to Smigel.
Broccoli
Unlike
beets and cranberries, this crunchy vegetable doesn't stay stuck to
teeth, so it won't cause unsightly surface stains, says Messina. Throw
some raw broccoli into your lunch—the florets will scrub the surface of
teeth, giving them a brief and natural midday brush.
Cheese
Hard
cheese, like the little blocks you get on those delicious appetizer
trays, is full of calcium, which strengthens teeth and gums, explains
Smigel. Plus, most cheeses are near colorless, meaning they won't stain
your teeth. So go ahead, order that cheese plate.
Oranges
This
bright fruit contains citrus, an acid that can wear away tooth enamel
if ingested in large doses, making teeth whiter—but at a cost, says
Messina. So while we don't recommend gulping down bags of oranges in the
spirit of a bright smile, a juicy helping once in a while is good for
your pearly whites, and thanks to loads of vitamin C, your overall
health too.
Water
Drink
lots of water to keep your mouth hydrated and your smile bright,
advises Smigel, who recommends sipping and swishing between glasses of
wine and when eating dark, pigmented foods to prevent staining. However,
while water reduces the acidity in your mouth and the resulting damage
to your enamel, Dr. Smigel warns against imbibing too much sparkling
water, which has greater potential to erode enamel and harm teeth.
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Pears
Smigel
recommends munching on a pear to neutralize pesky odor-causing and
staining bacteria colonies on teeth. Increased saliva production brought
on by this sweet, delicious fruit also washes away food debris, leaving
teeth clean and sparkling.
Riou
Milk and yogurt
These
dairy products are teeth superfoods. Their high calcium content
strengthens teeth, making enamel healthier and whiter, says Messina. But
be warned: Not all calcium-rich foods—like spinach with its dark,
stain-causing pigmentation—have the same effect. Chow down on a
high-protein Greek yogurt for a snack, or pair after-dinner cookies with
a cold glass of milk to get that gleam.
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