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Beauties, I bet you had no idea that keeping your chompers healthy involves more than brushing, flossing and staying away from red wine and/or coffee (yeah right) or other substances that stain them. But there’s a few things that you have lying around the house that could actually improve the health of your teeth.

Thanks to celebrity cosmetic dentist Dr. Joseph Banker, we’ve got the deets on the things you can consume that will improve your pearly whites. You’re welcome.

Raw Vegetables & Nuts

These are high in fiber, raw vegetables are slightly coarse and can act as a scrubbing agent, cleaning the teeth as well as stimulating salivary flow. Nuts are abrasive and simulate salivary flow. They help wash away plaque and can also remove stains.

Charcoal

The tiny granules of activated charcoal are extremely porous and very effective in binding certain materials to their surface. Charcoal granules can pull the tannins found in coffee, tea and red wine from teeth, thereby reducing the appearance of stains in just one use. Unlike peroxide whitening products, however, charcoal only removes surface stains, so it’s not helpful if your enamel is discolored.

Pineapple

They contain an enzyme called bromelain that can assist in removing stains. The tart taste and acid from citric fruits are effective in whitening teeth and stimulating salivary flow. Lemon juice mixed with baking soda can be used as a whitening paste and the inside of an orange peel can be used to scrub the teeth as well. Caution should be used when exposing teeth to acidic foods as prolonged exposure can cause sensitivity or worse, damage tooth enamel.

Coconut oil

Coconut oil has gained recent popularity as way to help keep the body (and the teeth) healthy. There is a trend known as “oil pulling“, where people swish with a liquid form of coconut oil for 15+ minutes, and it is said to have wonderful antibacterial properties. While the efficacy of this treatment has not been proven, it has motivated many to pay more attention to their oral health. Some may be uncomfortable with this type of time commitment, but it can stand to reason that simply adding more coconut oil into your diet may be beneficial as well.

Citrus fruits, sweet potatoes and red peppers

There are all great examples of foods that are high in vitamin C. Vitamin C promotes a healthy immune system which can help to keep harmful bacteria away. Fighting off bacteria that cause cavities, gum disease, and bad breath are the number one way to keep the mouth healthy.

Cheese

Eating cheese also helps protect teeth in multiple ways. Consumption of cheese stimulates rapid production of saliva that cleanses teeth and helps maintain a healthy pH level. Saliva is the body’s way of neutralizing acids and washing away debris. Cheese also leaves a protective coating on teeth further protecting them from acids.

Calcium, Phosphates and Vitamin D

These are present in dairy products and adequate quantities of these nutrients are essential if tooth decay is going to be prevented.

 

That Gorgeous Smile: Surprising Things That Are Good For Your Teeth  was originally published on hellobeautiful.com