The following foods help whiten your teeth:
Broccoli. This crunchy vegetable has iron which helps form a barrier or an acid-resistant film that can protect the tooth enamel. Broccoli florets will scrub the surface of the teeth to give them a natural midday brush.
Strawberries. Malic acid is an enzyme and a main component of strawberries and they act as natural astringent to remove surface tooth discoloration. They could stain your shirt but they can help whiten teeth. You can try mashing them up and rubbing them on your teeth. Rinse with water after leaving the mashed strawberries on the teeth. Brush and floss as usual. Notice the difference.
Pineapples. Research shows that pineapples have bromelain enzyme which can act as a natural stain remover. The enzyme can also help break up plaque which can erode the tooth enamel leading to dental cavities.
Apples, celery and carrots. These three healthy fruits and veggies all have the properties to naturally remove stains by increasing saliva production. The saliva produced serves as the mouth’s self-cleaning agent. Bacteria that cause bad breath can be eliminated and the crunch factor of these healthy treats works to scrub the teeth clean.
Baking soda. A study in 2008 found that toothpastes containing baking soda remove plaque better than toothpastes without the ingredient. Baking soda is a base like bleach, and the soda which is actually a form of salt is a mild abrasive that works to scrub off plaque and surface stains. Try brushing with commercial toothpaste containing the mild abrasive. Or you can just try brushing your teeth with baking soda straight from the box.
Milk and yogurt. These dairy products are teeth superfoods because of their high calcium content which strengthens teeth and make the enamel healthier and whiter. However, not all calcium-rich foods have the same effect. Spinach is rich in calcium but it has dark, stain-causing pigmentation. A high-protein Greek yogurt for snack, or a cold glass of milk can help get that gleam.
Cheese. Protein, calcium, and phosphorus can help buffer the acids in your mouth and cheese has all these. Remineralization and repair of teeth can be aided by calcium and phosphorus.
Onion. This bad-for-breath allium contains sulfur compounds, thiosulfinates and thiosulfonates, which help reduce bacteria that cause tooth decay. Eating them raw is a must so as not to destroy the tooth-friendly compounds. And because it smells after eating, you are more likely to brush which is the surefire way to get your teeth whiter.
Sesame seeds and nuts. Sesame seeds and nuts are lightly abrasive foods that rub plaque and stains off the teeth surface. Sesame seeds help scrub plaque off your teeth. Chewing nuts can give the same scrubbing action for pearly whites. Sesame seeds also contain bone and teeth-strengthening calcium.
Pears. Munching on a pear can help neutralize the pesky odor-causing and staining bacteria colonies on teeth. This fruit can also help increase saliva production, like apples, which washes away food debris, leaving the teeth clean and sparkling.
Have you tried some of these foods and noticed the difference?
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