Dental enamel is the smooth, hard covering that coats your teeth and makes them white; unfortunately, this natural substance is also porous, allowing pigment to settle in and discolor your smile. While foods that contain heavy dyes or natural pigments can discolor your teeth, there are others that won’t cause any problems. Here are three foods dentists recommend that won’t stain your teeth.

Teeth-Friendly Foods

1. Fibrous Fruits & Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables that are high in fiber — such as apples, carrots, and celery sticks — won’t stain your teeth. In fact, the naturally fibrous structure of these foods can help to scrub away food particulates and bacteria, leaving behind a cleaner, healthier smile. Dentists recommend packing fibrous fruit sticks or slices with you for lunches and on-the-go meals, so you can keep your smile clean during the day.

2. Nuts

Nuts are another healthy snack that is healthy for your teeth. Although many nuts have dark-colored, paper-thin skins, the inner portions are light-colored and won’t impart pigment onto your teeth. Additionally, nuts are high in fiber, folate, vitamin E, and minerals — helping your teeth and surrounding tissues to stay strong and healthy.

3. Cheese

Some cheese may be bright in color or contain veins of bluish growth, but those natural pigments won’t discolor your smile. In fact, cheese contains active cultures that can help create a temporary protective barrier on the surface of your teeth, protecting them from staining. Additionally, cheese cultures can crowd out unhealthy oral bacteria, helping to prevent decay. Cheese can also stimulate salivary flow, freshening your breath, and helping your saliva to return to its proper pH.

Remember, if you are left dealing with dental staining from years of bad habits, the dentists at Richmond Hill Family & Cosmetic Dentistry can help. Since their inception in 1982, they have been offering assistance with everything from preventative dental exams to tooth whitening. Find out more about becoming a patient by sending them a quick message online or calling the dentists at (912) 756-3880.