Want whiter teeth? Of course you do. But your quest for a brighter smile doesn’t necessarily have to lead you to a professional whitening treatment. Your Mt Holly dentist recommends adding these five foods to your diet to help you flash a brighter smile — naturally.

#1: Water

It’s not a food, but one of the biggest smile brighteners has to be pure H2O. Aside from encouraging saliva production to wash away bacteria and staining agents, water will help you stay hydrated and minimize the urge to sip dark sodas and coffee throughout the day.

#2: Celery

Crunchy fruits and vegetables like celery, apples and carrots contain water to keep your mouth hydrated, but they also help to rub plaque and staining agents from tooth enamel for a brighter smile and fresher breath. Add salad to your lunch routine or munch on crispy vegetables as a midday snack for better oral health.

#3: Cheese

It may surprise you to see cheese on the list of foods that can whiten your teeth, but dairy products are high in calcium, which helps strengthen enamel for a whiter, healthier smile. Boost your oral health while staying trim by selecting low-fat cheese, yogurt, milk and other dairy sources.

#4: Broccoli

Broccoli and other green vegetables are high in fiber, which helps to reduce inflammation in the gums for a healthier mouth. Not only that, but broccoli’s texture helps to scrub teeth naturally — and its iron also strengthens tooth enamel, for a healthy-tooth combination you just can’t beat.

#5: Strawberries

Aside from being one of the tastiest fruits, strawberries contain ellagitannins, an antioxidant that actually helps to repel stains from the tooth enamel. Toss some strawberries into your morning cereal or enjoy some whole as a mid-morning snack to enjoy their wonderful stain-fighting benefits.

And a bonus tip for even whiter teeth:

In addition to eating well and maintaining good oral hygiene habits at home (like brushing for two minutes, twice a day and flossing daily), make sure you’re staying on top of your twice-annual visits to Mt Holly Family Dentistry. Our team of professionals will remove plaque and tartar buildup and examine your teeth for signs of decay and infection to help you enjoy the whitest, brightest smile possible! When was your last visit to the dentist? If it’s been more than six months, please don’t hesitate to contact us to book an appointment with your dentist in Mt Holly today!