When you're gone through the process of having cosmetic dentistry work done, you've already made a time and financial investment in your smile. While you can take steps to ensure that your diet doesn't harm your pearly whites, you can also take a proactive role to ensure your diet actually benefits your smile. A wide range of foods and drinks can positively contribute to not only the appearance of your teeth, but also your oral health overall. The next time you're at the grocery store, keep an eye out for these foods and be sure to add them to your cart.

Apples

Everyone's heard the old saying about an apple a day keeping the doctor away, but the regular consumption of apples is also healthy for your smile. Apples have a valuable combination of fiber and mild acidity that can help to keep your teeth clean and even make them appear brighter. Leaving the apple's peel on gives you the best dose of fiber, while the crunchy texture of this common fruit helps to scrub your teeth as you chew. Additionally, the high fiber content of an apple can help to make you feel full, which can reduce your chance of reaching for an unhealthy snack to combat your hunger.

Green Tea

While consistently drinking coffee can stain your teeth, enjoying a cup of green tea leads to a number of benefits. Chief among the benefits is green tea's ability to reduce the bacteria in your mouth, which can limit the risk of cavities and tooth decay. Green tea also boasts an anti-inflammatory quality that helps to prevent gum disease. This type of tea's role as a microbe fighter also means that drinking it can reduce bad breath. You can safely drink as many as five cups of green tea per day to help your oral health, but it's best to introduce this drink one cup at a time to help you get used to its caffeine content.

Cranberries

Cranberries are known for their tart taste, but this dark red fruit can also be a valuable ally in your battle against cavities. The properties in cranberries provide a coating for your teeth, making the bacteria that lead to cavities have a hard time sticking to the enamel. It's best to focus on cranberries themselves or pure cranberry juice; Thanksgiving cranberry sauce and cranberry cocktail are each loaded with sugar, which isn't ideal for your oral health.

For more information, consult with your dentist (like those at Valley Oak Dental Group Inc).