Say cheese! And, no, we don’t just mean, “Smile.” Studies show that cheese may balance out pH levels in the mouth and decrease your risk for cavities. That’s great news for all you cheese lovers out there! But we also have bad news: while there are several delicious foods you can eat to protect your beautiful smile, there are several foods that can deter your teeth whitening efforts. In order to have the whitest and healthiest teeth, visit Lee Trevino Dental. Here is a list of the best and worst foods for your oral health.
The Best Foods for Your Teeth
- Fibrous Fruits and Veggies: Apples, celery, and broccoli aren’t just good for our waistlines, they are also known to keep our teeth white! Their fiber content removes stains by scrubbing the surface of the teeth. They help keep teeth clean by boosting saliva flow.
- Baking Soda: Baking soda is an inexpensive, natural ingredient for natural teeth whitening. Just dip a wet toothbrush in a little bit of powder and scrub your teeth once or twice a week. Dentists warn not to do this every day, however, as overuse may cause your enamel to erode.
- Water: H20 is pretty much a miracle cure-all in our books. Water keeps us hydrated and keeps our teeth and gums healthy by clearing sugar and acid from our teeth! The more water you drink, the better your oral health is likely to be.
The Worst Foods for Your Teeth
- Coffee: We know that a world without coffee is a world that many people do not want to live in, but this heavenly, caffeinated beverage can wreak havoc on your pearly whites. Coffee contains tannins (acidic polyphenols) that lead to discoloration and staining, and it is also highly acidic. You don’t have to give up coffee completely, but we do recommend brushing your teeth after consuming it. Drinking out of a straw may also help protect your teeth.
- Berries: These antioxidant rich delights are known for staining clothing, so it may not be surprising that they can also stain our teeth! Blueberries and blackberries are major culprits of tooth discoloration over time.
- Citrus Fruits: Oranges, lemons, and tomatoes are delicious, but their acidity has us on guard. Too much acidity in the mouth can erode your enamel, exposing the tissue beneath (a.k.a. dentin). Dentin is a yellowish color, and exposure will give your teeth a yellowish tinge.
Teeth Whitening for a Brighter Smile
If you want your teeth and gums to stay healthy, you will benefit by heeding to the advice on this list. If you want your teeth to really sparkle, however, you may want to consider professional teeth whitening. At Lee Trevino Dental, we use cutting edge teeth whitening techniques to help our patients achieve brighter smiles and more confident lives. Contact the Lee Trevino Dental office today for more information about teeth whitening opportunities.
