It’s well known that certain foods and drinks can stain the teeth, but did you know that some foods can actually help reduce staining? If tooth discoloration has caused your smile to lose some of its brilliance, look to the following foods for a brighter future:
- Fibrous foods such as apples, carrots, and celery exert a mildly abrasive effect that can scour staining residue from tooth enamel.
- Acidic foods like oranges, lemons, and limes can break down the proteins that harbor stains. Citric acid is perhaps the best known such agent, but malic acid, which is found in rhubarb, strawberries, and green apples, has a similar effect.
- Foods that contain proteolytic enzymes, like pineapple, ginger, and papaya, can reduce staining, too. Proteolytic enzymes are special amino acid chains that can denature proteins.
- The peelu plant (Salvadora persica) has a long history in folk medicine as a kind of natural toothbrush, but there’s enough evidence for its efficacy that the World Health Organization endorses its use. Indeed, the peelu plant’s fibers contain fluoride, antiseptics, and other substances that promote oral health.
While changes to your diet and lifestyle can slow the staining process, nothing matches clinically proven professional teeth whitening for its power to transform the smile. In just one short visit to our Pittsburgh cosmetic dentistry office, or with a few convenient at-home treatments, you can enjoy a smile that is several shades brighter in far less time than you thought possible.
If you’re ready to enjoy a brighter, whiter smile, please contact Dentonics, Inc., using the form at the right side of the page or call 412-487-6910 today to schedule your teeth whitening appointment. We serve patients in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
