Your smile can say a lot that you never spoke. It is often the first thing people notice when you talk. Your smile is a sign of confidence, happiness, and even your overall health. However, did you know that your smile is greatly affected by what you eat?
Expert Denver dentists explains that your food choices on a day to day basis can either help to retain that healthy shine or gradually wear it over time. The yellowing of teeth, accumulation of plaque, and chipping can happen when you take food high in sugars or acids. But the good news is that you don’t have to let go of everything you love. Just one or two swaps per week can help your smile a lot more than you may think.
Smile-Boosting Superfoods
Crunchy Fruits and Veggies
Apples, celery, and carrots are not only good for your weight loss, they’re nature’s toothbrush. The crunch factor also helps to slough away surface stains and stimulate saliva production, which is like a built-in toothpaste for your teeth. And they’re loaded with vitamins that keep gums strong.
Cheese and Yogurt
Milk is high in calcium and casein, that helps rebuild teeth enamel and prevents plaque from forming. Cheese can neutralize acid in the mouth after meals, so it’s a wonderful snack to have after dinner (yes, you can enjoy that cheese board!).
Strawberries
They may be red, but strawberries actually work wonders to whiten teeth. They have an enzyme known as malic acid that brightens your teeth naturally. You can also pair them with baking soda once in a week for a mild natural polish, but don’t overdo it, because acidity can wear down enamel.
Leafy Greens
Spinach, kale, and broccoli are also rich in folic acid (an important part of a healthy diet) and calcium, which helps keep enamel strong and teeth hard. They’re also low in sugar and high in fiber, a one-two punch of dental health and digestion.
Water
It’s simple but powerful. Sipping on water all day will help you wash your teeth of the little bacteria and food remnants that could get stuck on your teeth and cause erosion or staining over time. And if you can, choose fluoridated water, it has an added boost of protection for your enamel.
Foods That Dull Your Smile
Coffee and Tea
Morning coffee or tea is a go-to for more than 60% of the adult population. But these beverages are bleaching your teeth little by little each day. Both are tannic and turn your teeth yellow as you age.
We know it’s hard to quit them altogether, and therefore, rinsing your mouth with water after every cup can prevent any severe damage to your teeth. You can also use a straw to limit the time of contact of your enamel with the beverage.
Soda and Energy Drinks
Soda and energy drinks are loaded with sugar and acids that harm your tooth enamel without a miss. Most people argue that they take sugar free drinks, however, even they can be harmful because of the acidity. If you’re not ready to drop your energy boosters, try switching them with sparkling water or a natural juice instead. If you take a step today, it’ll be easier to make a habit out of it.
Tomato Sauce and Curry
Many dipping sauces stain your teeth without you even knowing. If you enjoy them, eat the food with a side of leafy greens or rinse after to help mitigate their staining impact.
Candy and Sticky Sweets
Sticky candies like caramel can stick to your teeth and promote bacterial growth, which in turn leads to cavities. Although these candies don’t directly affect your teeth much, you can take them to your heart’s content while making sure to brush or rinse your teeth properly afterward.
Balanced Smile Routine
Although what you eat plays a big part, the key to keeping your smile bright is balance. Regardless of what you eat, the habits surrounding your diet, like brushing twice a day, flossing, and going to see your dentist regularly, can make the biggest impact.
Teeth whitening and polishing procedures can only do so much when your diet is consistently working against them. If you can’t skip anything, just make sure to clean your teeth properly so that they’re not affected significantly.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, your smile shows how much you take care of yourself, and that starts with what’s on your plate. The crusts and kale you consume for breakfast, lunch, and dinner can do as much to shield, shine, and brighten your teeth as all the serums or personal-training sessions do for your glow. And with the addition of more tooth-friendly food options and fewer of those that sabotage your smile, you’re making an investment in yourself.
