1. An Apple a Day
An apple a day keeps the dentist away, too. The acid in apples freshens the mouth and eating a raw apple massages gums and strengthens teeth and helps produce more bacteria-fighting saliva. Fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants are perfect to eat for healthy teeth. Replace chips and candy with blueberries, peaches, strawberries or carrots and you'll prevent bacteria from forming on teeth and gums and get an abundance of vitamin C and E in your diet. Watery fruits like melons and grapefruits also keep plaque causing germs in the mouth under control. However, chewing on celery may be more beneficial than any of the aforementioned foods. Like apples, it also helps produce saliva and it cleans between teeth as you chomp away.
2. Cinnamon's Spice and Other Things Nice
Cinnamon, often used in gum to prevent or mask bad breath, works to keep teeth healthy, too. Eat foods prepared with cinnamon, chew cinnamon sugar-free gum or drink cinnamon teas after meals or snacks to banish germs and produce more saliva in the mouth. Adding mint leaves or parsley to salads or chewing on them after a meal makes breath fresh and helps to maintain healthy teeth.
3. Works on Teeth and Bones
Low fat milk, yogurt and other dairy products are great foods to maintain healthy gums and teeth. The calcium and Vitamin D in milk, cheese and other dairy goods strengthen bones as well as teeth. If you're lactose intolerant, drink orange juice fortified with vitamin D and calcium or eat spinach and other leafy greens. Eat cheese at the end of a meal (or anytime) to reduce bacteria in the mouth.
4. Sprinkle on the Seeds
Eating sesame seeds causes a natural abrasive action that scrubs plaque and germs off teeth, acting like a natural toothbrush. Sprinkle some on salads or eat some between or after meals to get rid of food particles on teeth. They are also a great source of calcium, to maintain healthy teeth, gums and the bones that support them.
5. It's Good for Sushi and Your Smile
Wasabi does more than add flavor to sushi. This hot horseradish condiment reduces bacteria from sticking to teeth and gums. If you're not a sushi fan, you can use wasabi to make salad dressing, use it in mashed potatoes or spread it on sandwiches for an exotic taste and cleaner teeth.
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