Did You Know Certain Foods Can Whiten Your Teeth?

There’s a reason toothpastes will market themselves as having properties that will make your teeth whiter, because everyone wants a shiny, white smile. Unfortunately, things we enjoy such as coffee, tea, red wine, and even some sodas can stain your teeth and darken your smile. Thus, a whitening toothpaste is often not enough to keep your teeth shining bright. Luckily, there are some foods that whiten your teeth naturally. To learn more about what foods can naturally whiten your teeth, keep reading for some advice from Dr. Dennis Flanagan at Dennis J. Flanagan DDS MS.

Fortunately, there are several foods you can find at your local grocery store that can help make your teeth whiter. Be sure to add these foods to your cart next time you’re at the store!

• Strawberries – They contain an enzyme called malic acid that may aid in the tooth whitening process.

• Apples, Celery, & Carrots – These foods act like natural stain removers. They do this by increasing saliva production, which serves as the mouth’s self-cleaning agent. They may also kill bacteria that causes bad breath and the crunchiness of the food works to scrub teeth clean.
• Oranges & Pineapples – These tart fruits also increase saliva production! However, beware of foods with a high acidity, like lemons, because they can potentially damage the teeth.
• Yogurt, Milk, & Cheese – Dairy products contain lactic acid, which may help protect against tooth decay. Additionally, the protein in these foods is thought to bind to teeth and protect them from attack by the harmful acids that cause cavities!

With good oral hygiene and these foods in your diet, you are well on your way to your best smile. Fortunately, fancy whitening treatments aren’t your only option to achieve pearly whites. Feel free to always contact our office with any tooth related questions, we’re happy to help!