Foods that naturally whiten your teeth
We’ve all been told to avoid red wine, dark berries, and black coffee in our quests for pearly whites; but what about foods that actually brighten your smile? Try these natural solutions for a brilliant beam.
Strawberries
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.
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.
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 colourless, 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
Apples
Apples’ crispiness strengthens gums, and
their high water content increases saliva production, dispersing and
neutralising colonies of bacteria that lead to bad breath and plaque,
says Smigel.
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, is a mild
abrasive that works to scrub off plaque and surface stains.
Broccoli
Throw some raw broccoli into your
lunch-the florets will scrub the surface of teeth, giving them a brief
and natural midday brush.
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.
Source: Yahoo!
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