A bright, white smile can help you look and feel your best. Along with a professional teeth whitening treatment, there are many ways to maintain a vivid grin. One simple dental care method that many are unaware of is eating particular foods. For noticeable results, add the items below to your diet.

What Foods Will Help Brighten Your Smile?

1. Fibrous Vegetables

Fiber-rich vegetables like carrots, celery, and broccoli increase saliva production as you chew them. This fluid is the mouth’s natural mechanism for carrying away food particles and bacteria that cause stains and decay. Ideally, you’ll want to eat the vegetables raw. Cooked food is softer, so it won’t generate as much saliva while chewing.

2. Dairy Products

Dairy foods like milk, yogurt, and cheese can help protect against tooth decay, which is often accompanied by discoloration. The proteins in these foods, such as casein, bind to the teeth, creating an extra layer of protection against cavity-causing agents.

If you’re looking for extra teeth whitening, consume hard cheeses like parmesan or pecorino. They can help remove particles from your teeth, revealing a brighter smile. 

3. Pineapple

Many fruits are high in fiber, meaning they’ll stimulate saliva production to carry stain-causing bacteria away. Yet, the best option to try if you’re seeking natural teeth whitening is pineapple. It isn’t heavily pigmented, so it’s less likely to leave colorful deposits behind like darker fruit might.

Pineapple is also the only food with naturally occurring bromelain. This compound is known for its cleansing and oxidizing properties, helping remove blemish-causing bacteria from the enamel. In fact, it often gets used as a stain remover in some toothpaste products.

While changing daily habits can keep your teeth healthy, for the most vivid smile, you’ll need the help of a professional. In addition to general dentistry, Patrick T. Hunter, DDS, offers both in-office and at-home teeth whitening options to patients across Dayton, OH. With their help, you can brighten your grin by up to eight shades. Find out more about this and other services online by visiting the website. To schedule an appointment, call (937) 890-8957.