Joshua Duvauchelle
Our teeth are what we eat, say dental care experts. For healthier teeth and a whiter smile, munch on these 10 foods.
Almost everyone—99.7 percent of adults surveyed, to be precise—thinks their smiles are an important social asset, reports the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. But a great set of pearly whites is about more than just appearances. What we eat can help us maintain a dazzling, healthy smile.
“The condition of a person’s oral health is often a reflection of their overall health,” says Kellee Stanton, DDS, noting that there are “many direct and indirect links of oral disease to other health conditions.” For example, some studies link periodontal disease with a higher risk of coronary heart disease.
“If eyes are the window to your soul,” says Stanton, “then your smile is your front door. Think about what enters that mouth on a daily basis, from what we eat and drink to the microbes we are exposed to. The mouth is not an island … it is directly linked to the entire body and in close proximity to the heart, lungs, and brain.”
To truly make a difference in our oral health, we need to think beyond the toothbrush. “Diet plays a huge role in keeping your teeth their healthiest and brightest,” says cosmetic dentist Jessica Emery, DMD. Every meal gives us a chance to strengthen our tooth enamel, guard against gum disease, and make our dentist happy!
Store cut carrot sticks in reusable containers for a convenient on-the-go snack.
“Mix apple cider vinegar with baking soda to make a paste to brush onto teeth,” recommends cosmetic dentist Dr. Marc Lowenberg, “or gargle with it before brushing to help remove surface stains.”
Keep a bag of nuts stored in your office desk drawer for a convenient and healthy snack.
For the best results, Lowenberg recommends choosing the right kind of cheese. “Cheddar is best, since it contains the highest levels of alkali; soft cheese such as brie or feta won’t have much of an effect.”
“The most important part of the toothbrush is the quality of the bristles,” says Stanton. When choosing a natural bristle brush, she recommends those labelled “soft” bristles. “Poor bristle quality, or coarse bristles, can accelerate the abrasion of enamel,” warns Stanton. “This can make the worn teeth appear more yellow in colour, and can increase sensitivity of the teeth to things such as temperature and/or sweets.”
“Even ‘natural’ toothpastes can be very abrasive, wearing away enamel at an accelerated rate,” notes Stanton. She reports that abrasivity is not indicated on toothpaste packaging, but says that in one study, “refined kaolin clay proved to be effective in stain and plaque removal but low in abrasivity.”
The Canadian Dental Association recommends that you brush your teeth for three minutes after every meal.
Sidestep stains and problems ahead of time so you don’t have to fix them later. Some of the worst foods that cause stained teeth, according to Emery, include coffee, red wine, and soy sauce.
Men’s health across the life course
Theodore D. Cosco, PhD (Cantab) CPsychol