We often think of healthy teeth as being bright, white, and beautiful. In order to maintain an attractive smile, many patients aim to keep their teeth white and find ways to brighten their smile. If you're looking to maintain the natural beauty of your tooth enamel and avoid the need for harsh whitening products, your diet is a great place to start.

What Affects the Color of Tooth Enamel?

5 Foods That Can Brighten Tooth Enamel

There are several foods that can help maintain the health and beauty of your teeth. Some suggestions include:

• Fruits and vegetables: Eating brightly-colored fruits and vegetables such as apples, carrots, spinach, oranges, sweet potatoes, and tomatoes can help whiten your teeth. The natural abrasives in these foods scrub away plaque and surface stains.
• Strawberries: The malic acid found in strawberries acts as a natural whitening agent and helps remove surface discoloration.
• Dairy: Cheese, milk, and yogurt contain lactic acid which helps remove plaque from teeth and also contains calcium that strengthens enamel.
• Nuts: Almonds, walnuts, cashews are crunchy and help scrub off stains from teeth while strengthening them.
• Green tea: Not only is it full of antioxidants, green tea also helps reduce bacteria in the mouth which can lead to staining.

Foods To Avoid for a Whiter Smile

Although there are certain foods that can help brighten tooth enamel, it’s also important to be aware of foods you should avoid in order to maintain a healthy and white smile. Some examples include: 

• Soda and other sugary drinks: The sugar and acid content in sodas and other sugary drinks can erode tooth enamel, changing the color of your teeth over time. 
• Coffee and tea: The tannins in coffee and black teas can stain tooth enamel, so it’s best to limit these drinks or make sure you brush immediately after consuming them.
• Sweets and candy: Eating excessive amounts of sweets and candy can lead to plaque buildup, which can cause discoloration of tooth enamel.
• Tobacco: Although not technically a food, it's important to note that smoking and chewing tobacco products can stain teeth and damage the tissue in your mouth. 

Maintain a Healthy Smile with WestLake Dental Care

Following a proper diet is key to maintaining healthy teeth. So make sure you keep these foods in mind when choosing what to eat if you want to have a brighter and whiter smile! The professionals at WestLake Dental Care can help you to care for your smile and support your oral health journey. If you have questions about whitening your smile or any of our dental care services, contact us today!