Eat these wonderful foods for a whiter and brighter smile

A bright and beautiful smile is probably the first thing that people notice when they see you and as they say, "smile is the language each and every one can understand".

What do movie stars, media persons, television actors and other celebrities have in common? No, it's not fair skin or the perfect figure. It's well aligned, peculiarly sharp white teeth. They have no stains, no discolouration and no kind of deformities. So how is it that they have the perfect smile?

In the last few years, there has been a sudden surge in teeth whitening toothpastes, whitening treatments and over-the-counter bleaching kits. Some might even say that after fair skin, Indians are now obsessed with white teeth.

We have an easy way out for which you may not have to run to your dentist every now and then or burn a hole in your pocket. Here's a list of some wonder foods that can give you whiter teeth. 8 important foods for a brighter smile.

Carrot: Foods like raw carrot that are crunchy and firm force you to chew more than the normal foods. Chewing stimulates saliva production and helps neutralise the acids and enzymes in your mouth that cause harm to your enamel.

Apple: Apples are a great source of water and fiber that act as cleansing agents. It contains malic acid that boosts saliva production, hence removing bacteria from the mouth. The fibrous texture of apples also helps improve the health of your gums.
 

Raisins: Eating raisins regularly can make your teeth whiter. It increases the production of saliva and thus, prevents plaque build-up, stains and risk of cavities by neutralising the acidic environment created by other foods.

Cheese: Cheese is an excellent source of calcium, phosphorus and protein that make your teeth stronger and whiter and also protect them from decaying. As you age, the enamel of the teeth tends to degrade, but the nutrients found in cheese help rebuild the enamel and make it stronger.

Spinach: You may hate green leafy vegetables, but they are super-efficient when it comes to maintaining pearly whites. Spinach has abundant magnesium that helps in building the enamel and keeps it healthy. The iron present in green leafy vegetables like spinach helps in polishing your teeth and also prevents stains and acid erosion.

Strawberry: Strawberry contains numerous antioxidants that keep your teeth healthy and maintain oral hygiene. Although berries have a reputation of staining, the ascorbic acid in the fruit can actually help in providing a brightening effect. They are power-packed with polyphenols which inhibit bacterial growth.
 

Basil: Basil is known to be a natural antibiotic and has antibacterial properties that prevents bacterial growth in your mouth. You can easily include basil in your salads or soups. You can even dry the basil leaves in the sun and make a fine powder that can be rubbed on your teeth to clean them and make them sparkle.

Nuts and seeds: Nuts and seeds are slightly abrasive in texture and therefore, they help in removing plaque and stains from your teeth. Moreover, the essential oils they contain help in cleaning your teeth and make them glow. The omega-3 fatty acids present in walnuts and flax seeds can also help in lowering the risk