8 Wonderful Foods You Must Have For a Bright and Beautiful Smile

A bright and beautiful smile is probably the first thing that people notice when they see you and as they say, "smile is the language each and every one can understand". But yellow or stained teeth can be a complete downer. Despite regular brushing and flossing, your teeth may lose their shine over time. The bacteria in your mouth and that absorbed from the food you eat may taint your teeth and make them look dull. According to the book, Home Doctor- Natural Healing with Herbs, Condiments and Spices by Dr. P.S. Phadke, tooth decay due to bad oral-hygiene or excessive intake of junk food, candy, soft aerated drinks, cakes and pastries, can lead to erosion of the delicate enamel of the teeth, and this ultimately results in yellowing and other problems.Dr. Munish Bhagirath from Paramount Dental Care in Delhi, suggests, "I recommend foods that are fibrous and have more roughage that do not get stuck in your teeth causing further harm to your oral health. Avoid foods that are sugary and contain starch that become the sole reason for discoloration of teeth as they provide the ideal environment for the bacteria to thrive."According to Dietitian Lokendra Tomar from Weight Loss Clinic in Delhi, "There are 2 types of food based on their pH value- acidic and alkaline. Acidic food will dissolve the enamel making them look pale and dirty while alkaline food will keep the enamel strong making your teeth white and shiny. Alkaline food which are really good to make your smile brighter, for example, vegetables (broccoli, carrot), fruits ( oranges and apples), nuts (walnuts and almonds) and seeds (pumpkin seeds and flax seeds). All these food items are alkaline and best way to eat them is raw. Uncooked and unprocessed food contains all there nutrients in original form. when you chew them in the raw form, they massage your teeth and gums, cleanse, strengthen and keep your teeth shinier."We have an easy way out for which you may not have to run to your dentist every now and then or burn a hole in your pocket. Here's a list of some wonder foods that can give you whiter teeth. Who knew that such humble kitchen ingredients can be so effective?8 Important Foods for a Brighter Smile1. AppleApples are a great source of water and fiber that act as cleansing agents. It contains malic acid that boosts saliva production, hence removing bacteria from the mouth. The fibrous texture of apples also helps improving the health of your gums.(Also read: Brushing your Teeth with Baking Soda:Is it Safe or Not?)2. CarrotFoods like raw carrot that are crunchy and firm force you to chew more than the normal foods. Chewing stimulates saliva production and helps neutralise the acids and enzymes in your mouth that cause harm to your enamel.(Also read: ABC Detox Drink: Why Apple, Beetroot and Carrot is a Great Combination)3. CheeseCheese is an excellent source of calcium, phosphorus and protein that make your teeth stronger and whiter and also protect them from decaying. As you age, the enamel of the teeth tends to degrade, but the nutrients found in cheese help rebuild the enamel and make it stronger.(Also read: Processed Cheese Versus Natural Cheese)4. StrawberryStrawberry contains numerous antioxidants that keep your teeth healthy and maintain oral hygiene. Although berries have a reputation of staining, the ascorbic acid in the fruit can actually help in providing a brightening effect. They are power-packed with polyphenols which inhibit bacterial growth.5. SpinachYou may hate green leafy vegetables, but they are super-efficient when it comes to maintaining pearly whites. Spinach has abundant magnesium that helps in building the enamel and keeps it healthy. The iron present in green leafy vegetables like spinach helps in polishing your teeth and also prevents stains and acid erosion.6. RaisinsEating raisins regularly can make your teeth whiter. It increases the production of saliva and thus, prevents plaque build-up, stains and risk of cavities by neutralising the acidic environment created by other foods.7. BasilBasil is known to be a natural antibiotic and has anti-bacterial properties that prevents bacterial growth in your mouth. You can easily include basil in your salads or soups. You can even dry the basil leaves in the sun and make a fine powder that can be rubbed on your teeth to clean them and make them sparkle.8. Nuts and SeedsNuts and seeds are slightly abrasive in texture and therefore, they help in removing plaque and stains from your teeth. Moreover, the essential oils they contain help in cleaning your teeth and make them glow. The omega-3 fatty acids present in walnuts and flax seeds can also help in lowering the risk of gum disease that can damage your teeth.These are some foods that can help in whitening your teeth. However, Dr. Bhagirath suggests that you must add wholesome and fibrous foods to your daily diet for overall oral health that includes white teeth and stronger gums. Also, drink a lot of water as it helps in washing away acid-producing foods from your mouth that can stain your teeth.