You love your teeth and smile, but are you doing everything you can to take care of your oral health? You may be visiting your dentist as you should and sticking to your oral care regimen, but you may be missing some oral-enhancing foods. The following are 4 foods that you should consider adding to some of your meals, and you'll find out why.

1. Try Some Crunchy Apples

The first thing you should know is that the crunch of an apple is abrasive enough to lift any residue stuck on the surface and in between your teeth. The other good thing about apples is they contain an active ingredient called malic acid. Malic acid is an important addition to your oral care regimen because it activates your salivary glands. This is good because saliva contains enzymes that kill oral pathogens and reminiralize your teeth.

2. The Pineapple Advantage

Another great addition to your diet is none other than the pineapple. This tropical delight is packed with an ingredient called bromelain that helps break down some of the adhesive properties of stains and bacteria. What does that mean for your teeth? It means that they should be a lot whiter and cleaner just by eating a few slices of pineapple every now and then. 

3. Cheesy Smiles

No--a cheesy and over-the-top kind of smile won't magically give you have healthier teeth--but, a mouth full of the right kind of cheese might just help improve your oral health. You probably know that cheese contains a good amount of vitamin D and calcium, which are both needed for bone health. But, cheese also has a very high pH value. This pH value is important because the oral pathogens in your mouth enjoy and thrive under low pH values or an acidic mouth. Eating a little bit of cheese, especially aged cheeses like Gouda, can be helpful in keeping your smile as healthy as possible. 

4. A Wee Bit Of Chocolate

Another surprising food that would be great for you to add to your diet is chocolate. Studies have shown that dark chocolate or raw chocolate contains CBH, which has been found to be very effective against the kind of bacteria that cause cavities. You can purchase raw or dark chocolate in most health food stores or online. 

There you go, you have just expanded your diet to a few more foods that do not only nourish your taste buds or hunger, but also help you keep that smile as beautiful as it's meant to be. To find out more about eating habits that keep mouths healthy, see Richard L. Myers, DDS or your local dentist.