Want a whiter smile? Rinse well after eating blueberries and drinking coffee.
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All the various teeth whitening strips, procedures and pastes you spend your money on in order to have the perfect smile aren’t going to do a thing if you continue to guzzle red wine.Dr. Timothy Chase, arenowned cosmetic dentist and a practicing partner at SmilesNY,tells us the foods we should avoid and the ones that will help get our teeth somewhat close to pearly white.
Do’s
Certain foods help to remove bacteria that cause plaque which hardens into a yellowish tartar if not brushed away soon enough.Crunchy fruits and vegetables work best because they function as a scrub for your teeth. They also stimulate the production of saliva, which helps to keep plaque from forming:
- Apples
- Cauliflower
- Carrots
- Celery
- Strawberries and oranges are both useful for polishing teeth. Rubbing an orange peel or a strawberry over your teeth, following by washing out your mouth with water, will get your noticeable whiter teeth after a few months.
- Dairy products such as yogurt, milk and cheese contain a lactic acid which may help protect teeth against decay. Hard cheeses are best for whitening since they help remove food particles as well.
Don’ts
It’s important to avoid stain-causing foods and substances as much as possible. A simple rule is any food which causes a stubborn laundry stain can stain teeth, too. Brushing teeth or at least rinsing one’s mouth with water after consuming these foods is a great way to help prevent staining. Foods to avoid include:
- Coffee
- Tea
- Blueberries
- Red Wine
- Soy Sauce
- Tobacco
- Soda
