Wouldn’t it be great if we could get whiter teeth, simply by eating the right foods? Well, according to one expert, that’s very possible! Dr. Anthony Zybutz of TDC Implant Centre is leading the charge of the “White Teeth Diet” and naming specific foods that will help or hurt the hue of your teeth.
The “White Teeth Diet” isn’t exactly new, but is usually focuses on which foods will stain your teeth and should be avoided. Red wine, curry, and coffee are three things that should be consumed sparingly to help avoid teeth stains.
Zybutz is taking it one step further and actually declaring certain foods that will make teeth whiter. Zybutz studies go back thousands of years. “There were no whitening gels or bleaches during the time of the Egyptians” he explained, “but that didn’t stop the civilization known for worshipping beauty wanting sparkly teeth. Pharaohs 4,000 years ago were known to have combined ground pumice stone to vinegar to create a paste in an effort to restore the nature color.”
Some of these older techniques worked to keep teeth white, but had a significant side effect to them. These practices would disintegrate the enamel found on each tooth. With a more modern approach, Zybutz says that white teeth will always begin with your diet.
There are three factors that come into play when approaching the “White Teeth Diet”: chewing, saliva production, and staining.
Fruits and vegetables aren’t just good for your body, but also for your teeth. Chewing on these types of foods acts as a toothbrush and they actually clean your teeth while eating them. The crunchier, the better! Apples, cauliflower, and carrots are all great options to help keep those pearly whites, as pearly as possible!
Hard cheeses have been proven to help in the fight against plague. Cheese can aid in removing other food particles so that they don’t linger on the teeth and create plague. Both cheese and fruit have a secondary benefit in massaging the gums, which cans stimulate blood flow and keep them healthy.
Studies has shown that an increased saliva flow can keep teeth whiter. Foods that make you salivate should become a staple in your daily diet. Citrus fruits like limes, lemons, and oranges all help to produce saliva and rinse your teeth.
It’s not just the teeth that we can improve through diet, but also the gums. Broccoli is high in fiber and helps to keep gum inflammation down. Pineapple is a “super food”, so to speak, as it is the only food that contains bromelain, which is a natural compound with cleansing and anti-inflammatory properties.
Staining is the most common thought when patients think about the “White Teeth Diet”. Red wine, coffee, and cola are notoriously for staining teeth and should be avoided when possible. Fruits like blackberries and pomegranates also have these staining characteristics.
Dr. Zybutz makes sure to note that the “White Teeth Diet” is simply just one part of the entire oral healthy picture. Drinking water, brushing your teeth regularly, and regular check-ups play a vital role in your overall oral health.
