The best foods to eat for a brighter smile.

Smile! Did you know that June 15^th is Smile Power Day? You’ll have even more of a reason to after eating these foods. They’ll help keep your enamel shiny, gums healthy, and teeth plaque-free. Say hello to the “No Cavity Club!”

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Cheese

Cheese contains the basic salt alkali, which combats the acid erosion that occurs from eating certain foods. Cheddar is the best cheese for you because it contains the highest levels (via Lowenberg, Lituchy and Kantor) –luckily it’s tasty, too!

Apples

Crunchy apples help to mechanically remove food from teeth, making them a great snack post-meal (via Lowenberg, Lituchy and Kantor). Maybe they should change the saying to “An apple a day keeps the dentist away”! Insider tip: Gala and Lodi apples are the best varieties for summer pickin’.

Carrots

Carrots contain beta carotene, an essential nutrient for strong teeth (via Lowenbery, Lituchy and Kantor). Like apples, they also require a lot of chewing, which generates saliva to remove particles from our mouth. Bonus–they’re great for your eyes, too! If carrots aren’t your go-to veggie, think about expanding your horizons. There are WAY more varieties of carrots than you could ever imagine.

Tap Water

Okay it’s not quite a food, but tap water from over 10,000 US communities has added fluoride–you know, the stuff in toothpaste. So naturally it must be good for our teeth! Fluoride re-mineralizes teeth’s enamel, keeping it strong and healthy. Check out our tips on drinking more water for inspiration!

Sesame Oil

Unlike some other condiments (cough, ketchup, balsamic vinegar), sesame oil is a tasty and safe way to add flavor to your meal. It’s great for your teeth as it helps to reduce plaque, and won’t stain at all!

Onions

They may not freshen your breath, but onions help reduce bacteria that causes tooth decay. They are best for your eaten raw, so layer some sweet or red onions on your salad–just make sure to have a tic tac handy.

Ginger

Not just a Spice Girl! That white stuff on the side of your sushi plate has anti-inflammatory properties. Our gums are sensitive and can be easily irritated or inflamed. Ginger can help calm them. Mashed at the bottom of drinks, it adds delicious flavor!

Sugarless gum

This one was a shocker, as we didn’t think any gum would be recommended for healthy teeth. However sugarless won’t harm your teeth, and gum helps generate saliva which helps the mouth naturally clean. Chew away! Side note: Do NOT let this anywhere near your pets, it could be fatal.

Photo Credits: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Arielle Sidrane is the Media Coordinator at Spa Week.