Foods that Clean Teeth Naturally

It's not always possible to brush and floss after every meal. Fortunately there are foods you can add to your meals that clean teeth naturally. Below you'll find out what those foods are and how they clean teeth.

Foods that clean teeth naturally: Fruits

Apples and other crunchy fruits are effective teeth cleaners. According to an article titled, "Foods That Naturally Whiten Your Teeth," "When the natural fibers of the fruits...combine with saliva in the mouth, they help wash away food particles and stain-causing bacteria."

Foods that clean teeth naturally: Vegetables

There are many vegetables that clean teeth naturally. One of the most effective is celery. As with apples, celery is crunchy and requires lots of chewing, which helps to clean the surface of the teeth. The tiny fibers that get caught between the teeth function as an all natural floss.

Carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, and cucumbers are also natural teeth cleaners. Having them for a snack or chewing on them after a meal can help rid your teeth of plaque and food that gets stuck between teeth.

Foods that clean teeth naturally: Berries

Another food that cleans teeth naturally is strawberries. Strawberries help polish teeth and keep them white and shiny. They also work great to remove stains from teeth.

In an article titled "Say Cheese: Lips and Teeth, Foods that Keep Teeth Clean" strawberries are said to have "gentle cleaning and bleaching properties, and help remove coffee and tea stains from teeth."

Some people rub strawberries on their teeth for a whitening affect. However, if you do so, make sure you rinse your mouth well and clean your teeth afterwards. Strawberries are acidic and can damage tooth enamel if allowed to remain on the teeth too long.

Foods that clean teeth naturally: Freshen you breath with herbs

In addition to keeping teeth clean there are certain foods that can also freshen our breath. Chewing on herbs like parsley, cilantro, and mint helps decrease odors caused by a buildup of bacteria.

Chewing on these herbs also helps to clean teeth naturally and is a healthier alternative to chewing gum. The herbs should only be chewed fresh. Dried herbs do not have the same teeth cleaning effect.

Add these foods to your meals to help clean teeth naturally. Cooking reduces the teeth cleaning effect of these foods so it's best to eat them fresh to preserve crunchiness, fiber, and the other compounds that help clean teeth naturally.

Sources:

Amy Hill, Foods That Naturally Whiten Your Teeth, DOCSHOP.com

Say Cheese: Lips and Teeth, Foods That Keep Teeth Clean, AskaBeauty.com