HEALTHY-LOOKING TEETH DON’T HAVE TO COST THE EARTH IF YOU KNOW THE RIGHT TIPS AND TRICKS
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Beyond their toned abs, the stars of Love Island have something else in common – perfect teeth. And envious Brits are coughing up £5.8 billion a year on dental work to get the kind of dazzling smiles flashed by the likes of Megan Bartonhanson, Yewande Biala and Sharon Gaffka.
Working from home amid the pandemic has left one in 10 adults more self-conscious of their pearly whites than ever, with 58% blaming their dip in self-esteem on all the video calls during lockdown. The most popular procedures are whitening, straightening and veneers – where a layer of porcelain covers the surface to mask chipped, misshapen or crooked teeth.
Sadly, with a price tag of £500 to £1,000 per porcelain tooth in the UK, veneers are too big a bite out of most people’s finances.
But thankfully, Dr Khaled Kasem, chief orthodontist at Impress Orthodontics, says the secret to good dental health can actually be found in our fridges.
Here, Dr Kasem reveals six surprising foods that can help us look after our teeth and gums – and one of them is chocolate.
BLUEBERRIES
These goodies are often lauded for their antioxidant value. Dr Kasem says, “Blueberries are low in sugar content and one of our greatest allies in preventing gum diseases such as gingivitis and periodontitis.”
CELERY
“This is one of the dental industry’s mostrecommended vegetables due to its natural antibacterial properties,” says Dr Kasem. “Whether consumed in juices, soups or creams, the malic acid in celery promotes saliva production to clean teeth naturally.”
DARK CHOCOLATE
Who knew our favourite treat was pretty sweet at helping to fight cavities? “It’s because it contains powerful antibacterial agents but you only need a small amount to benefit,” says Dr Kasem. In other words, you don’t have to gobble a slab the size of a brick. We still will, though...
STRAWBERRIES
“These little beauties pack a punch and contain a high amount of xylitol, responsible for attacking the bacteria that causes dental plaque,” says Dr Kasem.
DAIRY
Cheese in particular is rich in calcium and vitamin D, which helps to strengthen our teeth. But Dr Kasem points out, “The lactic acid in cheese also helps to lift stains from tooth enamel, making it an apt food choice for those ‘Say cheese!’ moments.”
APPLES
“The fact that apples are a hard, crunchy fruit means they require more ‘chew’, which naturally increases saliva production,” says Dr Kasem. “This protects teeth and helps to naturally remove dental plaque.”