You know you need to brush and floss two to three times a day to protect your pearly whites, but scientists are now beginning to understand how your diet can fight cavities and build strong teeth.
Eric Shapira, D.D.S., a spokesperson for the Academy of General Dentistry, gave us this list of foods to eat daily for a healthy smile.
Apples
The tart fruit increases your flow of saliva, rinsing away bacteria and keeping your mouth moist.
Soy and Eggs
Protein-rich foods like eggs replenish cells, and that helps keep blood flowing to the nerve endings inside your teeth.
Carrots, Celery, and Bell Peppers
Crunchy vegetables cleanse and stimulate your gums. They also contain vitamin C, which regenerates collagen, the basic ingredient of gum tissue.
Dark Chocolate
Recent studies show that the sweet stuff contains chemicals that fight plaque buildup (but go for at least 80 percent cocoa, or the added milk and sugars will negate the effect).
