Smile! How What You Eat and Drink Impacts Your Teeth

by | Updated: December 3rd, 2016 | Read time: 2 minutes

A pearly white smile has become the most sought-after attribute since the days of plastering on piles of mascara for loooong eyelashes. A variety of products to help you get those gleaming white teeth are available, as are dentists specializing in transforming dingy yellow or stained teeth to snow white. But what many people don’t realize: What you eat and drink can make a dramatic difference in the health and appearance of your teeth.

Surprising Ways to Naturally Whiten Your Teeth

Hoping to enhance your teeth? Consider the following:

  • We love coffee and tea just as much as you — maybe more! But if you drink it black, you can stain your  teeth just as easily as spilling that coffee on your pretty white skirt or new white pants. What to do: Add milk or a dairy substitute such as soymilk to your beverage instead.
  • Berries are great for your  health, but they also can stain your teeth. Solution: Because they don’t stick to your teeth, it’s easy to remove the problem by using mouthwash, such as Xlear Spry  or Tom’s of Maine.
  • Foods that contain sugar can  cause cavities — and those don’t add to the health of your teeth or their appearance. Sweeten your breath and satisfy your sweet tooth with good-for-your-dental health xylitol-based chewing gum.
  • To naturally remove stains, eat fruits that boost your  body’s production of salivia such as apples, pears and guavas.
  • Sesame seeds are surprisingly good for scrubbing away plaque naturally.
  • A holistic anti-inflammatory, ginger can improve your mouth tissue’s health. Try sprinkling pure powdered ginger on yogurt or oatmeal.
  • Go nuts: Along with cheese, meat, chicken and milk, nuts protect the enamel of your teeth by giving your body phosphorus and calcium, which are important in remineralizing your teeth. Try munching almonds or cashews for a healthy snack.
  • Be sure always to choose a good quality toothbrush, such as the Eco-Dent Terrandent.
  • For extra help whitening your smile, try a whitening toothpaste that cleans your teeth while it  whitens them, such Jason Powersmile or Tom’s of Maine.