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Top Dentists 2013: 6 Great Foods for Your Teeth

From apples to dairy, these foods help your pearly whites stay that way.

Apples
An apple a day also keeps the dentist away. The fruit acts as a
natural toothbrush with every bite, says Hani Thariani, an orthodontist
who practices in Arlington and Herndon: “The crispiness of the apple tends
to scrape away physical plaque.” Other natural cleaners include crunchy
vegetables such as carrots and cucumbers.

Tap Water
More people now consume filtered or bottled water, but dentists
warn that some water filters also remove fluoride, a mineral that helps
prevent tooth decay. If drinking tap water isn’t ideal, Dr. Alex Naini of
Aesthetic Dental Spa in Vienna recommends using a fluoride mouthwash once
a day.

Green Vegetables
To maintain healthy gums, stock up on vitamin-C-rich leafy
greens such as kale and spinach. Research shows that people with
periodontal disease are typically deficient in vitamin C. The supplement
can help prevent bleeding gums.

Milk and Cheese
Dairy products are full of calcium, which keeps teeth strong
and healthy. “A lot of people don’t get enough vitamin D and calcium,”
Thariani says, and being deficient in either is associated with gum
disease. Calcium-rich foods also help prevent tooth decay and enamel
erosion because they neutralize acid.

Sugarless Gum
Chew a piece of sugarless gum after every meal, say many
dentists. The constant motion produces more saliva, which cleans out food
particles and acids. Sugarless gum contains xylitol, a natural sweetener,
while regular gum contains cavity-inducing sucrose.

Top Dentists 2013 ››

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