For most of us, brushing and flossing your teeth is just part of your daily hygiene routine.
It's simple, effective, and it can affect your overall health in ways you may not have imagined.
By going through what's in your kitchen, however, you can find extra ways to make your smile go for miles.
Cinnamon When we go to the dentist, we're given cinnamon as an option for a fluoride and polish flavor.
In regards to oral health, however, cinnamon is much more than a pleasant taste.
The essential oil that gives this spice its distinctive color and flavor is called cinnamic aldehyde, and it's known for hindering the growth of nasty cavity-causing bacteria in your mouth.
Put some in your tea or sprinkle it over food to get the benefits.
Additionally, drinking a cup of tea is a great way to get fluoride outside of your regularly scheduled appointment.
Green and white teas are a great way to get a caffeine boost without running the risk of staining your teeth.
A compound found in tea known as flavonoids also helps to prevent the yucky stuff from sticking to your teeth long after the glass is empty.
Apples An apple a day can keep the doctor away, but it can also keep your dentist smiling too! Firm foods such as apples, carrots, celery, and other healthy treats act as nature's toothbrush and toothpaste by scrubbing the plaque off your teeth as you eat.
They also have the added benefit of helping you to feel fuller for longer.
However, if you wear braces this is not the approach for you as hard foods can break your brackets, sending you to the orthodontist.
Water We all know that we're supposed to drink 8 fl.
oz.
of water consistently throughout the day to stay hydrated, but did you know water does wonders to help you preserve your smile? When you are properly hydrated, your mouth doesn't give odor-causing bacteria the breeding ground that a dry mouth does.
This lowers your chances of developing cavities and gum disease as well.
Anthocyanins Look for fruits and vegetables rich in a compound called anthocyanins.
You can find this compound in cranberries, blueberries, raspberries, eggplant, and red cabbage, but they are also present in plants with red, blue, and purple pigments.
Phytochemicals are a great way to ensure that disease-causing pathogens never get a shot at taking root in your mouth by blocking their ability to stick to cell walls.
Complex Sugars and Antioxidants Try limiting your diet to foods free of processed ingredients and simple sugars.
Aside from being bad for your teeth, poor diets can cause weight gain.
What many don't know is that the inflammation that often comes with being overweight leads to increased amounts of oxidants in the body, which damage cells.
Fat cells also release more inflammatory compounds into the body.