It’s important for children to eat a healthy diet, but getting kids to eat their fruits and veggies is a challenge for many parents. At Discovery Kids Dental, we have one more method that you could use to help entice them: certain healthy foods whiten teeth!
Next time you serve your child a bowl of yogurt or pack them orange slices for a snack, you can tell them that it’s good for their growing body and, bonus! It will give them a brighter smile.
Five Foods that Whiten Your Smile
- Strawberries: They may stain our clothes, but they brighten our teeth! This is thanks to an enzyme called malic acid. Strawberries are also great sources of fiber, vitamin C, manganese, vitamin B9, and potassium.
Celery, Apples, and Carrots: When you bite into these crunchy treats, they physically scrub away at the surface of your enamel. They also increase saliva production, which helps rinse teeth clean. Try serving sliced apples or celery sticks to your son or daughter with peanut butter (or other nut butters, if they’re allergic) to dip! This will add healthy fats and protein and can make the veggies go down a little more easily.- Oranges and Pineapples: Tart fruits like oranges and pineapples tend to increase saliva production, which helps to rinse teeth. If oranges are too bitter for your young one’s pallet, try cutting them up super small and serving them in a salad of sweeter fruits, like bananas and grapes.
Yogurt, Milk, and Cheese: The lactic acid in dairy products can help protect your teeth against decay. In a study from the journal Dentistry, kids who ate yogurt 4 times a week had less incidence of decay than those who did not. Some researchers say that the proteins in yogurt bind to teeth, forming a protective layer.- Water: Staying hydrated is never a bad thing! One of the many benefits to drinking plenty of water is that it helps rinse your teeth, washing away particles that cause stains and decay.
Celery, Apples, and Carrots: When you bite into these crunchy treats, they physically scrub away at the surface of your enamel. They also increase saliva production, which helps rinse teeth clean. Try serving sliced apples or celery sticks to your son or daughter with peanut butter (or other nut butters, if they’re allergic) to dip! This will add healthy fats and protein and can make the veggies go down a little more easily.
Yogurt, Milk, and Cheese: The lactic acid in dairy products can help protect your teeth against decay. In a study from the journal Dentistry, kids who ate yogurt 4 times a week had less incidence of decay than those who did not. Some researchers say that the proteins in yogurt bind to teeth, forming a protective layer.