There are a lot of factors that go into choosing your diet. You choose foods based on how they taste, how much they cost and how readily available they are. Why not also choose your foods based on how beneficial they are to your teeth? After all, a great smile can make a world of difference, and choosing just the right foods is one way to get it. Here are six foods and drinks Vero Beach dentist Raymond A. Della Porta, II, DDS recommends for optimal oral health.

1. Milk

Milk isn't just great for your bones, it's great for your teeth as well. With big helpings of calcium and phosphorus, milk and other dairy products can actually help remineralize teeth, restoring past damage.

2. Apples

An apple a day doesn't just keep the doctor away, it can help you avoid unnecessary visits to your Vero Beach dentist as well. Apples stimulate saliva flow, which helps wash away bacteria and extra food particles.

3. Cashews

Your toothbrush isn't the only thing that will help scrub your teeth. Not only do cashews possess microbe-fighting properties, but they are also slightly abrasive, so they scrub your teeth while you chew them.

4. Kiwi

All fruits contain Vitamin C, but kiwi contains more than any other, making it an excellent choice. Vitamin C keeps your gums healthy, which helps fight periodontal disease.

5. Raw Onions

Raw onions might not help your breath, but they can certainly help your teeth. Studies have shown that onions fight certain strains of bacteria, helping keep your mouth nice and healthy.

6. Sugarless Chewing Gum

While you will want to avoid most candies, sugarless chewing gum is one healthy exception. Sugarless chewing gum increases your saliva flow, washing away food and bacteria as it lifts it from small cracks and crevices in your mouth.

The next time you reach for a snack, make it a healthy one. These six foods and beverages will keep your mouth looking and feeling great in between visits to your Vero Beach dentist, Dr. Della Porta.