10 Natural Teeth-Whitening Foods to Eat for a Brighter Smile.

Healthy, white teeth aren't necessarily brushed into being—they can also be eaten into existence. Brushing your teeth daily along with these ten natural, healthy foods for clean teeth will definitely leave you with a beautiful smile!

1. Celery

Celery is rich in protein, carbohydrates, carotene, B vitamins, calcium, phosphorus, iron, sodium, and more. At the same time, it is known for its effects of calming the liver and clearing heat, expelling wind and promoting urination, relieving vexation and reducing swelling, cooling the blood to stop bleeding, detoxifying and ventilating the lungs, strengthening the stomach and benefiting blood, clearing the intestines and promoting bowel movements, moistening the lungs to stop coughing, lowering blood pressure, and calming the mind. Eating celery regularly, especially the leaves, is very beneficial for preventing and assisting in the treatment of high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis, and other conditions.

Moreover, when you chew celery vigorously, it's giving your teeth a deep clean, reducing your chances of getting cavities. This is because fibrous, coarse foods act like a broom, sweeping away some of the food debris on your teeth. On the other hand, the more you chew, the more it stimulates saliva secretion, balancing the pH level in your mouth to achieve a natural antibacterial effect.

Celery Patties

2. Oranges

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, oranges have the effects of relaxing the bowels, regulating qi, resolving phlegm, aiding digestion, stimulating the appetite, stopping vomiting, relieving pain, and suppressing coughs. They can be used to treat symptoms like chest tightness, abdominal bloating, vomiting, constipation, difficult urination, hemorrhoids, and to counteract alcohol and toxins from fish and crab. Oranges are rich in Vitamin C, an essential nutrient for maintaining gum health. A severe deficiency can cause gums to become weak and susceptible to disease, leading to symptoms like swollen or bleeding gums, and loose or falling teeth. Furthermore, Vitamin C also promotes the health of teeth and gums, and its fiber can help remove dental plaque.

Blood Orange Yogurt Cups

3. Cheese

Everyone knows that insufficient calcium intake can weaken bones, but it can also compromise dental health, so it's important to supplement calcium from various natural foods daily. Cheese is not only an excellent source of calcium, but it also offers other protective benefits for teeth. Research from the United Kingdom indicates that the calcium and phosphates in cheese can balance the pH level in the mouth, preventing it from becoming an acidic environment that is favorable for bacterial activity and causes cavities. Regular consumption of cheese can also increase calcium on the tooth surface, helping to strengthen and rebuild enamel (as calcium is its main component), making teeth stronger.

Zebra Striped Cheesecake

4. Green Tea

Green tea, revered by the Japanese as a treasure for longevity, has so many health benefits that it's impossible to resist. Many studies point to its strong antioxidant properties, which can prevent various cancers, and people who drink it regularly have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. Now, even teeth can become healthier from drinking green tea. On one hand, green tea contains a large amount of fluoride (also present in other teas), which can combine with the hydroxyapatite in teeth, providing an acid-resistant and anti-cavity effect. On the other hand, research shows that catechins in green tea can reduce *Streptococcus mutans*, the bacteria that causes cavities in the mouth, and can also eliminate bad breath.

Homemade Matcha Powder

5. Black Tea

Japanese scientists have already confirmed that drinking green tea helps prevent cavities, and a recent new study shows that black tea also has dental benefits. This research, conducted at the University of Illinois in Chicago, revealed that black tea can prevent dental plaque, cavities, and gum disease. Black tea achieves this because it contains a chemical substance called "polyphenols." This substance can inhibit the production of glucosyltransferase by bacteria. This enzyme breaks down sucrose into a sticky "substance" that mixes with over 300 types of bacteria in dental plaque and adheres them to the tooth surface.

Lemon Black Tea