Which Foods to Eat and which to Avoid for Brighter and Whiter Teeth
01 Jun 2023

Which Foods to Eat and which to Avoid for Brighter and Whiter Teeth

A natural close up smile, a set of beautiful teeth, and confidence in your laughter can all make you feel happy. Unfortunately many food groups which are healthy for your body can have the opposite effect on your dental health, for example fruit which have a generally high sugar content but are packed with nutrients. Therefore, meaning correctly balancing the health or your body and teeth is crucial. The foods you choose to eat/avoid can have a significant impact on the colour of your teeth.

It is natural for teeth to not be perfectly white and to differ in colour from the tips of the teeth to the roots. However, maintaining the brightest colour possible for your teeth can be achieved by focusing on the intake of healthy foods and a healthy lifestyle.

Cause of Teeth Discolouration

Bad habits such as smoking, the intake of tobacco, and drinking frequent beverages like tea/coffee especially with sugar, will cause staining on your teeth. Tooth discolouration can be caused due to both intrinsic and extrinsic staining:

Intrinsic Staining

Intrinsic staining can be caused due to cavities, tooth defects, and internal discolouration. This type of staining is a side effect of some medicines and fluoride, and this staining affects the tooth structure. Visiting a dentist can help correct this problem. You can correct these defects with composite fillings, tooth bleaching, crowns or veneers.

Extrinsic Staining

Extrinsic staining is surface stains on the teeth, most oftenly caused due to the pigments in  foods. There are some chemical compounds in food known as chromogens, which have an impact on staining teeth. As well as colour, acid in some foods can cause your teeth to become yellow or weak. If you want to maintain the brightness of your teeth, you should learn which foods will have a negative impact on them and limit the times you choose to eat them. Let’s have a look at what we should eat and what we should avoid to get whiter teeth.

Food to choose for a Whiter Smile!

Cosmetic treatment and dental check-ups are both unnatural procedures. There are however natural ways to gain whiter teeth without the need for any dental treatment. Check out the foods and top tips below!

Please be aware that all foods in moderation are fine to eat. It is important to listen to your body and treats from time to time are okay!

  1. Apples

An apple a day can help whiten your teeth, and keep the dentist away! The presence of malic acid in apples can help maintain the natural whiteness of your teeth. This acid is also present in some toothpastes. The abrasive property in the skin of the Apple has a natural scrubbing property. The amount of saliva in your mouth will  increase when chewing an apple, and saliva contains natural antioxidants to help keep your mouth clean.

  1. Broccoli

Eating broccoli helps reduce inflammation in your mouth, it also contains iron which acts as a protective barrier in the oral cavity. Broccoli can help guard your teeth against acidic foods and drinks that may lead to erosion or enamel destruction.

  1. Pineapple

Pineapple contains Vitamin C which can help prevent gingivitis and also strengthen your gums. With the help of this food your body produces an enzyme called bromelain. The cleansing and anti-inflammatory properties in Pineapple break up the plaque and can help whiten your teeth. 

  1. Cheese

Cheese contains phosphate and calcium, which can help you strengthen your teeth and bones. The presence of casein, protein, and whey can also help in building the enamel of your tooth. Moreover, the lactic acid in cheese can prevent tooth decay. 

  1. Strawberries

Vitamin C has many benefits on the health of your teeth. Strawberries contain Vitamin nutrients that can help in removing stains from your teeth. Both yellow stains and coffee stains can be prevented if you eat strawberries.

  1. Basil

Basil is a natural antibiotic that helps in the reduction of plaque. You can reduce bacteria in your mouth by chewing/consuming Basil leaves. Yellow stains can also be prevented by the intake of basil.

  1. Celery

Celery contains both Vitamin A and C, which  can help in strengthening your tooth enamel. You can massage your gums by chewing celery. Moreover, stimulate the saliva production with it. Clean the food particles in your mouth, and reduce sugar or acid in your mouth by eating Celery. 

  1. Carrots

Carrots work as the best crunchy food which acts like a natural toothbrush.Chewing on a carrot can help scrub off bacteria and plaque within the mouth. Nutrients like Vitamin A and keratin help in maintaining healthy gums and strong enamel.

  1. Kiwi

The fiber found in kiwi fruit helps in maintaining the cleanliness of your gums and teeth. The calcium in kiwis can also strengthen your teeth enamel. Moreover, tooth erosion can be prevented by eating kiwi. Kiwi can also help in preventing cavities by killing bacteria in the mouth.

  1. Onion

Onion is a powerful vegetable that has anti-microbial and anti-bacterial properties. These properties help in preventing tooth decay and killing bacteria. 

  1. Nuts and Seeds

You can remove some stains and plaque by chewing abrasive nuts. The presence of calcium and vitamins in the nuts can help you to get rid of various dental issues.

  1. Milk and Yogurt

Similar to cheese, other dairy products such as milk and yogurt are  high in calcium. These nutrients help in strengthening the teeth and gums. 

  1. Orange

Orange has a citrus element that is acidic in nature. Oranges are good to eat in a normal quantity however, large intake of oranges can be harmful. The presence of vitamins and calcium in oranges can help in whitening your teeth.

  1. Pear

Eating pears can largely help reduce any mouth odor. Pears help in washing away remaining food residues and debris, therefore  maintaining good cleanliness in the mouth.

  1. Water

Last but not least, water! Along with the hydration capacity, water can help in maintaining your bright smile. Sipping water after every meal can help you maintain the hygiene within your mouth. Moreover, you can remove the stains and cavities of your teeth with the help of water.

Foods and Drinks which may stain your teeth

(Again remember all foods in moderation are safe to eat!)

Some foods can help boost your oral health, whereas others are the enemy of your white teeth. Below is a list of the foods and drinks to avoid to prevent discolouration, stains, and erosion of teeth. Take a look:

  1. Tea and Coffee

Both tea and coffee can stain the enamel of the teeth. You can lessen the effects by avoiding cork-shaded tea and adding milk to either drink.

  1. Sauces

The tomato based sauce, chilly sauce, soya sauce, etc. can be the reason for staining teeth. You don’t need to eliminate sauce completely from your diet, but reducing the quality will help avoid teeth discolouration.

  1. Wine and Liquor

Liquor and wine are darker in colour. Wine and liquor have acids that can stain the enamel of the teeth. 

  1. Tobacco

It is common knowledge that smoking and chewing tobacco has a negative impact on your health. Additionally they are highly staining for your teeth. Changing your lifestyle will help to portray a brighter smile.

  1. Rich Curry

Your teeth may turn yellow if you consume fanatic and rich yellow vegetable curries, due to contents such as cumin which is heavily staining. Brushing your teeth after eating curry is recommended.

  1. Chocolate

Tannins in chocolate can stain your teeth.. The sugar in the chocolate can lead to acidic cavities. Chocolate stains can make your white teeth turn brown. You don’t need to stop eating chocolate; just try to reduce the amount.

  1. Balsamic Vinegar

Many people use balsamic vinegar while cooking. Some people use this vinegar on salad for the taste. However, the deep pigmentation of the vinegar can cause teeth to become stained. Acidic things will always be the cause of the cavities in your teeth.

  1. Beets

Beets are good for heart health but the acid is dark in colour which can result in staining of the teeth. The pigment betanin, is the reason your teeth can discolour after eating this food.

  1. Cola Drinks

The dark colouring agents and soda/carbonated drinks have zero nutrition. The cola drink can be the reason for decay and discolouration of teeth.

The above drinks and foods may be the reason of discolouration of your teeth. But if you consume everything in a moderate way, then it can help you in maintaining the issues related to teeth staining and other problems. 

Additional Guidelines to Get Brighter Smile

Maintain a healthy diet that can help you in managing your oral health. Keep yourself away from dental issues by choosing the right foods. You have to remember that the right quality and balance of food is needed to maintain the nutrients in your body. You may manage your oral health with the help of healthy tips such as:

  • Brush your teeth twice a day for a minimum of 2 minutes
  • Do not avoid the problem of chipped teeth or a hole
  • Connect with a dentist for the right treatment
  • Stop chewing tobacco and smoking, the worst reason of teeth staining

Summing Up

After choosing the right eating habits, you can also manage maintaining the oral health tips. The dentists in London Teeth Whitening suggest you manage your oral health properly. Changing your diet and unhealthy habits can help you in managing the brightness of your teeth.

Also, you should know about the proper quantity of the food intake. You should also remember to choose a good quality, efficient toothbrush, and toothpaste. It is necessary to check the maintenance of your oral health. Get in touch with us for more information! We offer cosmetic teeth products and other dental treatments. Smile with confidence with your glowing pearly-white teeth.

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