5 Diet Tips for a Brighter Smile

RealBeauty.com

We all know that what we eat affects our weight (obviously), but what you're munching on could be wreaking havoc on your teeth as well. Here, the dentists at NYC's Lowenberg, Lituchy, and Kantor weigh in on how to eat your way to a beautiful smile.

An apple a day…: Looks like this mantra works for doctors and dentists. Eating raw, crunchy fruits and veggies, such as apples, can remove unwanted food from your teeth. Plus, vegetables like celery and carrots are a great source of beta carotene (a nutrient essential for building strong teeth).

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Eat cheese for dessert: Yeah, you heard us correctly. You can fight tooth erosion by eating a piece of cheese after every meal. While soft cheeses like brie and feta will work, because of its high levels of alkali, cheddar is better (as they say).

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Avoid dried fruits: While fresh fruit is great, dried it's a total no no. Very similar to sticky candy, it contains non-cellulose fiber that will trap sugars on and around your teeth.

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Skip the starch: Don't let starches, like potato chips and bread stay stuck in your teeth for too long. These carbohydrates turn into sugar and eventually cause cavities.

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Watch your condiments: For a beautiful smile you must pay close attention to your salad dressings and dipping sauces. Ones that are high in acid, such as soy sauce and balsamic vinegar, will break down your tooth enamel.


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