5 Unexpected Foods That Can Help Brighten Your Smile

Did you know that some foods may help naturally cleanse and whiten your teeth? It’s true! According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD), the food you eat has a direct effect on the health of your smile. Here are 5 unexpected foods that can help naturally brighten your smile.

Cheese

Did you think that it was a coincidence that people eat wine and cheese together? While it is a delicious coincidence, this classic pairing makes sense in other ways besides their complimentary flavors. Since cheese is low in sugar and full of calcium and phosphorus, it can help strengthen your teeth.

Salmon

This fish is the perfect dish for healthy bones and teeth. A serving of salmon is not only a great source of calcium but also offers the benefits of vitamin D! Vitamin D can help prevent the risk of tooth decay, and calcium will keep your bones healthy and strong.

Sesame Seeds

When you snack on sesame seeds, you’re actually “scrubbing” away the plaque on your teeth. As you eat the seeds, the chewing motion creates a scrubbing action in your mouth caused by the seeds rubbing up against your teeth. Sesame seeds are also a source of calcium, which is great for your bones and teeth. Talk about a plaque-fighting snack!

Shiitake Mushrooms

If you want bacteria to back off, you may want to sample a plate of shiitake mushrooms. In some forms of traditional medicine, shiitake mushrooms are considered a medicinal mushroom, which makes sense since it contains lentinan, a compound that stops bacteria from growing in your mouth.

Onions

To reap the tooth decay fighting benefits that onions offer, you’ll have to eat them raw. Cooking onions destroys the sulfur compounds known as thiosulfinates and thiosulfonates that reduce the bacteria that cause tooth decay. Not interested in eating raw onions? Garlic has the same beneficial sulfur compounds.

While chewing your way to a bright smile is possible with the help of a few choice ingredients, the only guaranteed way to achieve a whiter, healthier smile is with the help of a trusted professional.

Contact the Olive Dental Group team at our Huntington Beach office for all your teeth-whitening needs! We’re happy to help you have the smile you’ve always wanted.