Foods to help your teeth stay white

Most food items, including tea, coffee, wine, etc., contribute to discoloration of the outer layer of the teeth called enamel. While professional teeth whitening products work the best, proper care must be taken to avoid permanent damage to the enamel and gums.

Foods that help in teeth whitening

As an alternative to teeth whitening Seattle, experts recommend several foods and beverages that help in cleaning and whitening the teeth naturally. These include:

Strawberry and watermelon

Strawberry and watermelon contain an enzyme called malic acid, which is said to have bleaching properties. Watermelon has more malic acid content than strawberries, although both can work wonders in whitening stained teeth. Malic acid also helps in saliva production, which prevents tooth decay. Simply mash some fruits and rub them on the teeth, rinse with water and brush as usual.

Cheese and yoghurt

Dairy products like milk and milk derivatives contain lactic acid, which is said to be effective against tooth decay. Moreover, proteins in yoghurt bind to the enamel and prevent cavity-causing acids from harming the teeth. In addition, casein – a protein in milk – also helps repair cavities and prevent plaque accumulation.

Baking soda

Baking soda is an extremely popular home remedy against teeth staining. It is a natural abrasive, which helps in cleaning the teeth surface and removing plaque. In fact, baking soda is a common ingredient found in whitening toothpaste. Mix equal parts baking soda and water, brush with this paste for one minute and rinse.

Cauliflower and broccoli

Cauliflower and broccoli contain high amounts of fibre, which helps in reducing inflammation. In addition, since they require more chewing, raw broccoli helps produce more saliva and clean and polish the teeth. The iron in these foods also helps in delaying the action of cavity-causing bacteria.

Seeds, nuts, and raisins

This group of foods mainly work as exfoliants, stripping the plaque away from enamel. For instance, nuts like walnuts, cashews, and almonds, and seeds like sunflower and sesame are popularly used to remove teeth discoloration. Sesame seeds also contain calcium, which helps in strengthening teeth.

Orange and Pineapple

Tart foods like orange and pineapple help produce more saliva, which helps in washing the teeth naturally. Orange peel is not acidic and contains vitamin C, which prevents tartar build-up. Pineapple contains natural bromelain, which shows anti-inflammatory and cleansing properties. This enzyme breaks down the pellicle layer in your enamel, absorbing pigments from foods and contributing to teeth discoloration.

Apple, celery, and carrots

The natural scrubbing action of eating fruits that require a lot of chewing helps get rid of accumulated plaque. Moreover, apples and carrots also help in saliva production, which helps in washing the teeth naturally. Celery, being a fibrous vegetable, also helps in keeping the teeth white and gum tissues healthy.

Proper oral hygiene combined with a balanced diet is crucial to maintain healthy white teeth. That said, the efficacy of these food items depends on what caused the stain in the first stain. For permanent results, visit the best dentist Seattle for teeth whitening and get a consultation for your case.