Foods to help your teeth whitening – and those that don’t

The foods you should and shouldn’t eat to maintain your sparkling white smile

If you’ve just had your teeth whitened by us at Newby Dental Practice, you’re likely to want to maintain your new smile for as long as possible. These few tips will help whether you opted for Day Time Boutique smile or a Night Time Boutique smile

You probably already know that there are foods that you should avoid, but did you also know that some foods can help to keep your teeth white?

Foods that you should eat

Strawberries – Strawberries contain an enzyme called malic acid, which helps to whiten your teeth.

Apples – Apples also contain malic acid, but this is not the only way that they help to keep your teeth white. The act of chewing an apple also helps to clean your mouth.

Carrots – Like apples, the crunchy nature of carrots can scrub your teeth while you eat them.

Cheese – A deficiency in calcium can lead to discoloration of teeth, so it is important to eat foods which are rich in calcium, such as cheese. In addition to this, cheese contains lots of lactic acid which helps to prevent tooth decay.

Citrus fruits – Citrus fruits cause the mouth to produce more saliva, which helps to wash your teeth as you eat. Don’t eat too much though, as these are very erosive for your new white smile!

Foods and drinks that you should avoid

Chromogens give food strong colour and some foods contain tannin. Foods with a high acid content can erode enamel, allowing stains to set in. As a general rule, if it colours your tongue or stains your clothes, then that’s what it will do to your teeth.

Foods: Berries, beetroot and berry juices; curries; tomato-based products, such as tomato soup and pasta sauce, which contain a bright red pigment called lycopene, which, again, can cause staining over time.

Condiments: Balsamic vinegar and soy sauce

Drinks: Cola, red wine, tea, coffee