9 Foods that Help Keep Your Teeth Healthy and Bright

Aside from using whitening toothpaste or going in for a laser whitening or bleaching session, there are certain foods you can eat to help encourage a brighter smile and protect your teeth from stains caused by the likes of coffee, tea and wine or dark-colored foods like spinach and beets.

1. Cheese: New study shows cheese, which is rich in protein and calcium, can help prevent cavities by protecting your mouth from acids.

2. Sugar-free gum: Typically boasting a seal of approval from the ADA, sugar-free gum is sweetened using non-cavity causing ingredients, including aspartame, sorbitol or mannitol. Chewing sugar-free gum contributes to maintaining a clean mouth since it increases the flow of saliva, which reduces plaque acid and tooth decay.

3. Apples and pears: Firm and crunchy fruits contain high water content that helps stimulate the flow of saliva, your body’s first line of defense that neutralizes any acidic foods that are harmful to your teeth.

4. Celery and carrots: Similar to apples and fruits, these crunchy vegetables stimulate saliva flow. In addition, their fibers helps scrub teeth clean. The vitamin A in carrots also contributes to healthy tooth enamel.

5. Nuts and seeds: Slightly abrasive, hard foods like almonds, walnuts or sunflower seeds help eliminate plaque and rub stains off the surface of teeth.

6. Broccoli: Munching on raw broccoli offers a very brief way to scrub the surface of your teeth. The florets of this green veggie act as a “brush” to give your teeth a quick cleanse.

7. Strawberries: The malic acid in these red berries act as a natural astringent that removes discoloration on the surface of your teeth. Mashing strawberries and mixing with baking soda may also be used as a once-a-week tooth whitener.

8. Ginger: The properties of ginger allow it to act as an anti-inflammatory, which helps protect against gum disease.

9. Onions: Though its aroma may not be the most welcome, eating raw onions may help keep your mouth healthy. Raw onions contain sulfur compounds that reduce the amount of bacteria in your mouth.

With any meal or snack, it’s important to rinse your mouth with water afterward, if you cannot get to a toothbrush in time. Regular brushing and flossing are a must to help maintain your healthy smile.