You are what you eat.

Healthy teeth are also related to what you eat. The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) advises that there are certain food items that naturally brighten and cleanse the gums and teeth.

Also, a survey by AACD shows that 99.7 percent of adults believe that a healthy smile is important socially and almost 74 percent of adults feel that an unattractive smile affects the success of your career.

The following five foods are said to keep your teeth healthy and pearly white:

Strawberries

Despite their bright red color, the chief component of strawberries is malic acid. This acts as a natural astringent which removes discoloration of the teeth’s surface. With the added benefit of ellagitannins, they can help reduce stain-attracting bacteria. Strawberries might stain your shirt, but you should try mashing them up and rubbing them on your teeth. After five minutes, rinse it with water and you’ll see the difference after a couple of tries!

Carrots

Carrots are rich in Vitamin A, which is essential in maintaining healthy tooth enamel. Apart from this, it has high water content that stimulates the production of saliva, the mouth’s natural cleanser. This aids in washing away food debris and strengthening your gums. Its crunchiness is also an agent in scrubbing your teeth clean and preventing bacteria build-up.

Broccoli

As we know, acids or acidic food is the main reason for enamel breakdown. This vegetable is rich in iron, which aids in the formation of acid-resistant film or a barrier that protects tooth enamel, preventing stains and cavities. With its high fiber content, eating lots of broccoli helps reduce oral inflammation. Like carrots, its crisp and crunchy texture, act as a natural brush that can give your mouth a natural scrub and polish.

Apple

Apples may be bad news for Snow White, but they’re good news for your teeth! Their crunchiness, much like carrots, also serves as a natural toothbrush. Their crispiness also helps strengthen the gums. They also have a high water content that increases the production of saliva, which aids in scattering and nullifying bacteria colonies that cause bad breath and plaque. The malic acid, which is found in most teeth whitening products such as toothpaste, can also be found in apples, acting as a natural teeth whitening agent.

Cheese

With its richness in calcium, phosphorus and protein, cheese can help defend against the acids in your mouth. Aside from this, calcium and phosphorus also aid in the repair and re-mineralization of teeth and its enamel. Less damage to tooth enamel means less discoloration. As dairy products also contain lactic acid, cheese also helps protect against tooth decay. If you eat hard cheeses, they can also provide you with a natural tooth scrub, so go ahead and indulge yourself!

There are a plenty more foods that you can eat while maintaining the health of your choppers. Basically, you can look for the essential components or ingredients like crispiness or crunchiness, the malic acid, high water content and calcium, phosphorus or protein. For more information, click here.

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Author: Russell Roderick

Editor: Caitlin Oriel

Image: Flickr/Rupert Taylor-Price