The food we need to nourish our bodies can often do a number on our teeth. Sticky or sugary food particles help the bacteria in our mouths to produce acids, leading to tooth decay. That’s why it’s so important to keep our teeth clean between meals.

“Nothing is as effective as a brush and a floss twenty minutes after you’ve eaten,” points out Julie Linzel, a dental hygienist in Charlottetown. But if cleaning your mouth after a meal isn’t always possible, there are other ways to do a little housekeeping for your kisser. And believe it or not, some of that involves eating! Here are six foods that can actually help with your oral hygiene.