We’ve all heard the adage, “You are what you eat.” Well, the first thing that gets affected by what you eat are your pearly whites. So what are the best things to eat so that smile stays bright and white?  St. John Providence helps us with the answer:

Fiber-rich fruits and vegetables – Fiber-rich foods work like a detergent in your mouth, says the American Dental Association (ADA). They also stimulate saliva flow, which neutralize the acids and enzymes attacking your teeth. Saliva also contains calcium and phosphate, so it helps restore minerals to teeth that have lost them from the bacterial acids. Apples, avocados and broccoli are all high in fiber to help that smile sparkle.                                   

Cheese, milk and other dairy products – Like the fiber above, Cheese makes you salivate. Plus, the calcium and phosphates in dairy products help put back minerals your teeth might have lost due to those nasty bacterial acids. According to the Medicinal Food News, “Aged cheddar, Swiss, blue, Monterey Jack, brie, Gouda and processed American cheese all have been shown to reduce dental caries.”

Green teas – Tea contains polyphenols, which kill or suppress plaque bacteria, preventing them from producing tooth-attacking acid. A Science Daily report said, “Researchers found that routine intake of green tea may also help promote healthy teeth and gums.”

Sugarless gum – Another saliva generator, sugarless gum also helps removes food particles from your mouth. Orbits, Extra and Eclipse have all been given an ADA seal of approval.

Fluoridated drinking water - Most water in the United States has fluoride added to it. So, any product you make with fluoridated water will help your teeth. Dehydrated soups, powdered juices and drinks; really anything using fluoridated water. That’s, of course, as long as they are low in sugar.