We see it in commercials, at the most inconvenient times in movies, and on billboards as we fly by on the interstate. That’s right, we are bombarded with the most enviable physical trait of all on a daily basis—the flash of perfectly white teeth that make a person’s smile just light up a room.
Most of us have even tried to obtain such pearly beauties through various methods. Whether it be a traditional toothcare routine or extreme methods we saw on the internet, the appeal of white teeth has drawn us in and motivated action in one way or another.
However, many teeth whitening treatments are incredibly in-depth or involve chemicals you may not be comfortable using. So, what do you do? Believe it or not, there are several foods that can contribute to a clean and eye-catching smile. What are they? Read on to find out.
Water
First things first, let’s leave the debate of whether or not water is technically a food up to the experts. Fact is, it’s a vital element of health—it makes up around 60% of your body, after all! It also has several added health benefits beside keeping you alive. One of those benefits? That’s right, keeping teeth nice and white.
If you are a lover of sugary or acidic drinks—soda, coffee, or essentially any other delicious beverage—water can be a tooth saver. Drinking water, or even swishing it around a little bit, especially after drinking or eating something full of sugars or dyes can cleanse your teeth and keep them free of stains.
Apples
Not only is this fruit crisp, juicy, and absolutely delectable, it also has properties that can aid in teeth whitening. The fibrous nature of an apple can act as a brush of sorts, helping dislodge food remnants and scrub away bacteria.
This fruit also contains a high-water content, which can help wash away stains when working in conjunction with increased saliva production. Maybe this explanation isn’t sexy, but your teeth sure will be.
Cheese
Most cheeses are undyed, meaning that they will not contribute to staining. Better yet, they contain calcium, which is known for strengthening teeth and bones. That added strength can help your teeth resist decay and staining.
Certain harder cheeses can also contribute to teeth whitening because of their rough surfaces. Like apples, this surface texture helps scrub away any build-up teeth may have accumulated.
Strawberries
We don’t want to get too scientific, but strawberries are widely-known for their teeth whitening properties. This is because they contain malic acid, which is a bit like mother nature’s bleaching agent. In fact, many commercial teeth cleaning products include malic acid as one of their key ingredients.
Strawberries also contain vitamin C, which can aid in removing plaque. It’s truly a teeth whitening superfood—just make sure you brush afterward, because they do contain quite a bit of natural sugar.
Carrots
Another fibrous enemy of tooth stains, carrots can be munched on or even rubbed on the surface of teeth to polish up those pearly whites. As an added bonus, the vitamin A prevalent in carrots helps strengthen tooth enamel, meaning this vegetable not only cleans teeth, it helps them stay that way!