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FOODS THAT BRIGHTEN TOOTH ENAMEL

Even those of us who practice good oral hygiene such as brushing, flossing, and visiting the dentist regularly, can have a smile that falls short when it comes to whiteness. Stains and discoloration to teeth can be the result of consuming certain drinks or foods like coffee and blueberries or from smoking. But it can also be a natural occurrence over time, even when avoiding the most common culprits. Many people turn to teeth whitening techniques such as professional teeth whitening services or whitening toothpaste to make a difference to their smile. But there are also a number of foods that you can eat to naturally brighten tooth enamel. These foods may not be as effective as professional services, but they are cheap and can make a brighten your smile over time.

Strawberries
You may dread the stain that strawberries leave on clothes, but they contain malic acid, and malic acid is great at removing stains. Put mashed strawberries on your teeth and let sit for five minutes. After the time is up, brush and floss as usual.

Apples, Pears, Celery, and Carrots
Crunching on fruits and vegetable scrubs teeth naturally. It also increases saliva, which is the mouth’s natural way of self-cleaning and removing bacteria. Some fruits, such as apples, also contain malic acid making it extra beneficial in whiting the teeth.

Broccoli
Raw broccoli gives the same benefits of scrubbing the teeth clean as some of the previously mentioned foods. There’s an added benefit of iron in broccoli. Iron provides protection from the bacteria that can damage enamel and promote discoloration.

Water
Drink water washes away food particles and bacteria that can stain the teeth. It also increases saliva which naturally cleans the mouth and helps make the teeth whiter. Drinking water instead of drinks such as coffee, soda, and red wine also keeps some of the discoloring culprits off your teeth in the first place.

Citrus Fruits
Citrus fruits such as pineapples and oranges are tart, which promotes saliva production and naturally clean away stains from the teeth. Be careful of too much citric acid, because too much acidity may actually damage tooth enamel over time.

Dairy Products
Dairy products have several nutrients that are beneficial to the teeth. Lactic acid and proteins help protect teeth from bacteria and decay to keep stains and discoloring away. Hard cheeses also scrub away food particles from the teeth.

Baking Soda
Baking soda has long been believed to naturally whiten teeth, which is why so many kinds of toothpaste contain it as an ingredient. The easiest way to take advantage of the benefits of baking soda is to use a toothpaste with the ingredient. But if you want, baking soda can be used directly from the box by placing some on your toothbrush with water and brushing as normal.

Although these are great natural methods to brighten your teeth, discussing with a dental professional is your best option to shiny, white smile. The staff at Centreville Dentistry will work with you to achieve white teeth, and come up with a plan of action based on your specific needs!

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