Foods for healthy, white teeth

The impact of food on dental health

Brushing, flossing, and professional teeth cleaning are of course essential to remove plaque and prevent cavities. But did you know that saliva production, stimulated by certain foods, also plays an important role in oral health? Saliva helps clean the teeth, neutralise harmful acids, and keep the gums healthy. Healthy saliva production can help keep your teeth white and prevent discolouration.

The best foods for white teeth

Dairy products

Cheese, yoghurt, and milk are rich in calcium and phosphorus, which are essential for enamel. They help to remineralise dental substance and thus strengthen teeth. They also stimulate saliva production, which in turn reduces acidity in the mouth. Strong enamel protects your teeth from discolouration and ensures a bright smile.

Apples

A crisp apple is not only tasty but also acts like a natural toothbrush. Chewing apples removes discolouration from the tooth surface, while the acids they contain stimulate saliva production. Apples thus help to naturally whiten teeth and give you white teeth.

Carrots and Celery

Raw vegetables such as carrots and celery also increase saliva production and remove dental plaque through intense chewing. At the same time, they offer a lot of vitamin A, which is important for healthy gums and strong teeth.

Strawberries

Strawberries contain malic acid, which helps reduce tooth discolouration and makes your teeth appear whiter. But be careful: the acid can weaken the enamel if consumed too frequently, so enjoy them in moderation.

Nuts and Seeds

Almonds, walnuts, and sesame help remove plaque by gently scrubbing the tooth surface. They are also rich in essential nutrients such as calcium, which strengthens the enamel and makes your teeth more resilient.

Foods that promote discolouration

Just as there are certain foods that can brighten your teeth, there are also those that do the exact opposite and lead to unsightly stains. These foods and drinks either contain dyes that easily get into the tooth substance, or they are very acidic, which attacks the enamel and makes the teeth more susceptible to discolouration. So, if you want to maintain your bright smile, it is important to know these culprits and reduce their consumption as much as possible.

Coffee

For many people, coffee is part of their daily ritual, but it is one of the main causes of tooth discolouration. The dark pigment in coffee, known as chromogen, easily adheres to the tooth surface and leaves unsightly stains. Additionally, coffee has a low pH level, which means it is acidic and attacks the enamel. This makes it easier for the pigments to penetrate the tooth substance. A simple tip: drink water after every cup of coffee to rinse the pigments from your mouth faster and try to reduce its consumption if you care about your white smile.

Tea

Tea, especially black and green tea, can also cause discolouration. These types of tea contain tannins that discolour the enamel and settle on the tooth surface. Even some herbal teas can promote discolouration due to their acidity by weakening the enamel. To avoid this, you could prefer lighter teas such as white tea, or, as with coffee, rinse your mouth with water after consumption.

Red Wine

A glass of red wine in the evening may seem relaxing, but it is less advantageous for your teeth. The deep red pigments and acid in red wine are a combination that can attack the enamel and lead to stubborn stains. Interestingly, even white wine, although it does not contain strong pigments, can roughen the enamel due to its acidity and make your teeth more susceptible to discolouration from other foods.

Cola and other sugary sodas

These drinks are a double offender. They are not only highly acidic but also contain artificial colourings that can deposit on the teeth. The high sugar content in sodas also promotes the growth of bacteria in the mouth that produce acids and further weaken the enamel. If you drink soda, try to minimise contact with your teeth, for example by drinking through a straw.

Sauces and Spices

Certain sauces like tomato sauce, soy sauce, and curry sauce are highly pigmented and can deposit on your teeth if consumed frequently. Spices like turmeric, which are often used in cooking, can also affect tooth colour over time. If you frequently consume highly pigmented sauces or spices, you can try to brush your teeth thoroughly afterwards to prevent staining.

Berries

Berries like blueberries, blackberries, and cherries are rich in antioxidants and healthy, but their intense pigments can lead to tooth discolouration. Their dark colourings quickly deposit on the enamel. You do not have to give them up, but it is advisable to rinse your mouth with water after eating berries or to eat them as part of a meal instead of alone.

Why Acid is so Problematic

Acidic foods and drinks attack the enamel and make it more porous. Weakened enamel is not only more susceptible to discolouration but also to caries and other dental diseases. Once enamel is damaged, it cannot regenerate on its own, and the underlying tooth substance, the dentin, becomes more visible – this is naturally more yellow and contributes to a darker tooth appearance.

Home Remedies for Teeth Whitening

Besides a healthy diet, there are also some home remedies that can whiten your teeth.

Activated Charcoal is becoming increasingly popular as a home remedy for teeth whitening. It binds stains and plaque without damaging the enamel. However, you should also be cautious and not use activated charcoal too often, as it can wear away the enamel with frequent use.

Another popular home remedy is baking soda. It helps to polish the enamel and remove stains. However, baking soda is abrasive, meaning that it can damage the tooth surface with frequent use. Therefore, it should only be used sparingly and in combination with a fluoride toothpaste.

Professional Teeth Bleaching

If home remedies and natural foods are not enough to whiten your teeth, professional bleaching can be an effective solution. While hydrogen peroxide is often used in the bleaching agent at the dentist's office to whiten teeth, ALPINE WHITE offers a gentler method that does not use peroxide. Our In-Office Bleaching, which is performed in our studios, is specially designed to whiten your teeth effectively without attacking the enamel or irritating the gums. This way, you not only get a white smile, but also healthy teeth.

By using peroxide-free active ingredients, you achieve brilliantly white teeth in a gentle way - ideal for anyone who prefers a safe and tooth-friendly method. In combination with a professional teeth cleaning, which removes plaque and superficial discolouration, your teeth will shine with a new brilliance without you having to worry about possible damage.

Our experts in the ALPINE WHITE studios are always at your disposal and will be happy to advise you on how to regain your radiant smile with our gentle bleaching process - without the use of bleaching agents or hydrogen peroxide.

The role of toothpaste and mouth rinses

Of course, dental care products are also an important part of tooth whitening. There are numerous whitening toothpastes that help to remove discolouration and gradually whiten teeth. However, make sure that these toothpastes are not too abrasive to protect the enamel. It is best to use the whitening toothpastes from ALPINE WHITE, the toothpastes protect your teeth.

Some mouth rinses also contain whitening ingredients that can help make teeth appear whiter and protect the gums.

Closing words

White teeth and a radiant smile are not only a question of aesthetics, but also of dental health. With the right diet, good oral hygiene and occasional support from home remedies or professional bleaching, you can naturally whiten your teeth and keep them healthy for a long time. Don't forget to come to the ALPINE WHITE studio regularly to have your dental health checked and avoid foods that could stain your teeth.

A radiant white smile is within reach - with the right care, a balanced diet and the right oral care, you can whiten your teeth and keep them healthy. Nothing stands in the way of your confident smile!