Keep your Perfect Smile for Longer with our Food and Drink List!

Having your teeth professionally whitened by a trained dental specialist such as our dental experts at Fulham Road Dental is a fantastic way to achieve that perfect smile. However, the question then becomes ‘what foods best help to keep my teeth white?’.

To help you maintain that pearly white smile, our team of dental experts have put together a list of the 5 best and worst dietary foods and drinks that can have a positive or negative impact on the appearance and health of your teeth!

Foods that help keep your teeth white

Cheese

Cheese is rich in calcium which helps to strengthen tooth enamel and prevent staining from occurring. While too much cheese would be very high in dietary fat, a small amount as part of a meal or snack can actually help to protect your teeth without having any detrimental impact on your daily caloric intake.

Chicken

Chicken is another good source of protein which helps to keep teeth healthy and strong. It also contains phosphorus, another essential nutrient for dental health because it helps the body absorb and use calcium!

Green and crunchy vegetables

Vegetables such as celery, broccoli and cabbage are great for scrubbing away any unwanted food particles or plaque that may be stuck to your teeth. They also contain high levels of water which helps to keep your mouth hydrated and washes away any residual staining.

Apples

An apple a day really does keep the dentist away! Apples are a great source of fiber which helps to clean your teeth as you eat them. The act of biting and chewing an apple also stimulates saliva production which is your mouth’s best defence against staining and plaque build-up.

Nuts

Nuts are a great source of vitamin D which helps your body to absorb calcium and maintain strong teeth. They also contain antioxidants which help to protect your gums from disease.

Yoghurt

Yoghurt is packed full of probiotics, which are ‘good’ bacteria that help to keep your mouth healthy and free from harmful bacteria that can cause staining. It is also a great source of calcium which helps to keep your teeth strong.

Foods, drinks and habits to avoid

There are also certain foods and drinks that you should avoid if you want to keep your teeth looking their best. These include:

Coffee and tea

Both of these beverages contain tannins which can cause staining. If you can’t give them up entirely, try to drink them with a straw so that they don’t come into direct contact with your teeth.

Red wine

Like coffee and tea, red wine contains tannins which can cause staining. Again, if you can’t give it up entirely, try to drink it with a straw.

Sugary and acidic foods and drinks

Foods and drinks that are high in sugar or acid can damage tooth enamel and cause staining. If you do eat or drink them, make sure to brush your teeth afterwards.

Curry, tomato and soy sauces

These dark coloured sauces can cause staining if eaten regularly. If you can’t avoid them, make sure to brush your teeth after eating to reduce the period in which your teeth are exposed to the sauces.

Smoking

Smoking is not only bad for your overall health, but it can also cause staining and discolouration of your teeth. If you smoke, try to cut down or quit altogether to protect your teeth (as well as your overall health in general!).

So there you have it, the best and worst foods for keeping your teeth white! By following these simple tips, you can help to keep your teeth looking their best for longer.

If you are concerned about the appearance of your teeth or are looking for ways to improve their health, please don’t hesitate to contact our team of dentists in Fulham today. We would be more than happy to help you achieve and maintain a beautiful smile!