Taking good care of teeth has always been a challenge for many because of poor practices. Now doctors and researchers have found that proper hygienic practices should be enhanced with consuming nutritious foods to keep one’s teeth white.

The practices

 Dr Jancyne Tuyishime, a dentist, says children should be advised on what toothpaste to use and what food to eat as early as 10 years of age.

 "The daily routine should focus on healthy diets that support both growth and strengthening of teeth,” Tuyishime explains.

 She adds that a good diet is important because not all foods are likely to contain the vitamins and minerals that form strong teeth.

 "Only certain fruits and vegetables when consumed regularly will help in the formation of strong teeth,” she adds.

Brushing and choice of toothpaste

Even when it comes to brushing, individuals have on several occasions made the wrong choices.

It is routine for most people to brush in the morning or after eating but Mayo Clinic, a nonprofit medical practice and medical research group based in the US, advises that even after drinking, one should floss or brush their teeth using toothpaste that contains fluoride. It is also advisable to use clean water to rinse after brushing.

Dr Tuyishime also cautions against using the wrong tooth brush and toothpaste.   

"Kids who use brushes for adults risk damaging their teeth. It is also good to use toothpaste that has been recommended by a dentist,” she explains.

 Tuyishime further encourages people to brush vertically rather than horizontally.  She says the former method ensures complete removal of residues.

"Brushes should be replaced every three months. But for individuals with gum disease, toothbrushes should be replaced every month,” she advises.

 On top of brushing as recommended, experts also advise consuming the following foods for healthy teeth.

Apples

 Apples contain vitamin C, Vitamin B (riboflavin, thiamin and B6), dietary fibre, phytonutrients compounds that boost resistance and protection because of the acid that kills bacteria although a study published in the Journal of Dentistry warns on over consumption.

The study that involved 1,000 men and women aged 18 to 30 found that people who ate apples were 3.7 times more likely to have dentine damage.

  Dr David Bartlett, the lead researcher at King’s Dental Institute UK, warns that apples being fairly acidic, could be up to four times more damaging to teeth than carbonated drinks.

  "Snacking on acidic foods throughout the day is the most damaging, whilst eating them at meal times is much safer. It’s not what you eat it’s how you eat it - an apple a day is good, but taking all day to eat the apple can damage teeth,” he says

Straw berries

From the 2009 journal of Dentistry review, strawberries are considered the third-best food source of polyphenols (behind only coffee and olives).

 Polyphenols inhibit the breakdown of starches in the mouth (thus limiting the resulting sticky sugars that adhere to teeth as plaque) and also fight the bacteria that contribute to tooth decay and gum disease.

 Scrubbing teeth with strawberries also whitens them, but because the berries are so acidic, dentists warn that using this home remedy frequently could damage the enamel.

 Carrots

These contain carotenoids precursors of vitamin A and minerals such as potassium that help balance sodium levels in the body. Carrot constituents are responsible for cleansing teeth.

 Lemons

They are rich in vitamin C, vitamin B6, vitamin A, vitamin E, folate, niacin thiamin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, copper, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, phosphorus and protein.

Because lemon juice is acidic, it kills bacteria but sometimes it is applied to prevent gum bleeding and bad odors thus necessary for healthy teeth.