What to Eat and What to Avoid for Whiter Teeth

Professional teeth whitening in your dentist’s office near Peoria is the most effective way to make your pearly whites become even whiter. In less than one hour, dentists can take years off your appearance with a professional-grade teeth whitening system. But in between your teeth whitening appointments, there are some simple adjustments you can make to your diet to preserve your brilliantly white smile.

Foods You Should Choose

You might already know that heavily pigmented foods like dark berries are bad for the appearance of your teeth, but not all berries act on your enamel in the same way. Strawberries, for instance, are good for your teeth because they contain malic acid. This substance acts like a natural astringent to fight discoloration on the surface of your tooth enamel. Add strawberries to a fresh spinach salad or enjoy them as a snack or healthy dessert. Seeds and nuts are also a good choice for a healthy snack that doubles as a tooth brightener. The mildly abrasive nature of seeds and nuts works by gently scrubbing your teeth. Biting into an apple can also help scrub your teeth and the high water content of this delicious fruit stimulates the saliva production in your mouth to fight both discoloration and bad breath.

Foods You Should Avoid

While you’re loading up on strawberries and almonds, there are a few foods you should avoid placing on your plate. Try to avoid eating anything with dark berries such as blueberry pie or blueberries in a fruit salad. Dark chocolate and tomato sauce are other highly pigmented foods that can quickly discolor your pearly whites. Similarly, it is best to avoid dining on beets, and dark soups and stews. Limit your use of soy sauces and dark marinades. As a general rule of thumb, steer clear of traditional Indian and Spanish cuisine; these types of cuisine tend to rely on the heavy use of pigmented ingredients like curry. If you do consume pigmented foods, drink some water immediately afterward to rinse your teeth.