5 Foods to Help Whiten Your Teeth
Our teeth are often referred to as ‘pearly whites’. But are they always white and shiny? Our teeth can lose their shine over time due to the consumption of certain foods such as coloured soda, candies, alcohol, etc. The colour tint of the foods we consume has a direct effect on our teeth, and it eventually causes teeth discoloration. As a solution for your discoloured teeth, you might consider teeth whitening treatment, but did you know that there are foods that can help whiten your teeth as well? The foods that cause teeth discoloration cannot completely be avoided, but you can instead fight teeth discoloration by consuming these foods to whiten your teeth.
1. Strawberries
Though the colour of strawberries is dark red, it one of the best foods to whiten your teeth. Strawberries contain the natural enzyme known as malic acid. This acid is a natural astringent which acts as a good teeth whitening agent. It is commonly found in tooth whitening products. To use strawberries to whiten your teeth, you could simply munch on a few or mash the strawberries and apply them on your teeth. Do not forget to rinse your mouth thoroughly after five minutes.
2. Apples
Apples are crunchy and fibrous. Their abrasive texture does a very good job of scrubbing the enamel of your teeth. This scrubbing removes the stains that have formed on your teeth. Also, apples are also known to have a high content of malic acid which is a good teeth whitening agent.
3. Oranges
Oranges are fruits that are known to have multiple health benefits. Apart from being a rich source of Vitamin C, oranges are also low fat and nutrient-rich. Oranges also work well in removing discoloration from your teeth. The bromelain enzyme found in oranges is known to have whitening properties that help to remove stains from your teeth. Apart from stain removal, bromelain also helps in reducing the growth of plaque that can cause tooth decay.
4. Pineapple
Pineapple is another citrus fruit that is beneficial for your teeth. Just like oranges, pineapple also has bromelain enzyme, which helps in removing stains from your teeth. Since pineapple is citric in nature, it stimulates the production of saliva, which helps in keeping your teeth clean.
5. Coconut Oil
Oil pulling is a traditional Ayurvedic technique of cleaning teeth and gums. In this technique, a tablespoon of coconut oil is swished in the mouth for about 20 minutes. This process works on removing the toxins from your mouth. When you swish coconut oil, the mucous membrane absorbs the nutrients from the oil. The oil also has antibacterial properties which prevent bacterial growth and keeps your teeth clean.
Having white healthy teeth is what everyone wants. But to keep your teeth healthy and white, you need to take efforts. While these foods will help you whiten your teeth, extreme teeth discoloration requires teeth whitening service. So if you have extreme teeth discoloration, do not hesitate to visit your nearest dentist and get your teeth whitened.