REGULAR BRUSHING AND FLOSSING remain you and your child’s best protection against tooth decay and gum disease. However, there are some tooth-friendly foods out there that will help you maintain a bright, healthy smile and even naturally whiten your family’s teeth!
Here are some foods that help brighten your child’s smile.
Fruits And Veggies
Fruits such as apples and strawberries contain malic acid which removes surface stains from your child’s teeth and whitens enamel. Strawberries are also beneficial in that they contain ellagitannins—antioxidants that are known to reduce stain-attracting bacteria and inflammation in his or her mouth.
Furthermore, apples—along with celery, carrots and pears—have a high water content. This increases production of saliva, which washes away bacteria in the mouth. Pears are also great for neutralizing odor-causing bacteria on teeth that lead to bad breath.
Pineapple is the only food that naturally contains bromelain. Guess where else we can find bromelain? In stain-removing toothpaste! Bromelain is a compound that has anti-inflammatory and cleansing properties and is effective in removing surface stains from your child’s teeth, resulting in a brighter smile.
Natural Scrubbers
Other foods act as a natural brush due to their abrasive texture. Broccoli, seeds and nuts, and, yet again, apples, scrub teeth and naturally remove bacteria and plaque. Encourage your child to at these foods in the afternoons to clean and polish their teeth, giving them a brief midday brush. What’s more, broccoli is high in fiber and iron, resulting in a lower risk of inflammation in the mouth and greater protection against enamel-degrading acids produced by bacteria.
Dairy
Cheese and milk are full of calcium, which we all know is very good for teeth and growing bones. Calcium, as well as other minerals and proteins found in dairy products, protect tooth enamel from erosion and decay. They also don’t stain teeth like beets or certain berries would.
More Than Just Brushing
Achieving and maintaining a healthy, bright smile is more than just eating foods that can damage your child’s teeth (mainly sugary drinks and candy, as well as refined, starchy foods) and then brushing the consequences away. To keep their mouth clean and smile white, avoid foods that can damage or stain teeth, and opt for some of the healthier options mentioned above. Their teeth will thank you for it!