Teeth whitening may be a sensitive topic because it can be quite embarrassing to admit to having stained or yellow teeth. If you cannot afford a dentist, this topic can be outright intimidating. These simple guidelines for whitening teeth can help you make small changes that will eventually whiten your teeth in the long run.
To make your teeth whitening results last as long as possible, cut back on your consumption of dark drinks like colas and coffee. Since most teeth whitening treatments strip away a layer of your tooth enamel, your teeth are more susceptible than ever to stains, making it more important than ever that you refrain from indulging in common staining culprits like soda, coffee and cigarettes.
Rinse out your mouth with one percent hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide strips are expensive to buy and harsh on your teeth. Keep the peroxide in your mouth for at least a minute and make sure you do not swallow an excessive amount of the solution. Follow up by brushing your teeth.
Keep regular teeth cleaning appointments with your dentist. They are necessary appointments, that make your smile brighter which results in more confidence. These should be done one to two times a year, especially if you’re a smoker.
Surprisingly, baking soda is almost as effective as most long term teeth whiteners and is much cheaper. Mix about two table spoons of soda to one table spoon of water to form a paste, then, brush your teeth with this paste. If you do not like the taste, substitute a mouthwash for the water.
You may not be able to brush after every meal, however, you can rinse your mouth after meals. Take a minute or two after eating or drinking beverages that can stain and thoroughly rinse your mouth. This will help remove loose particles and stain causing residues that may be left behind from your meals.
Use a straw when drinking highly acidic beverages, such as sodas or citrus juices. Using a straw will help divert the acid away from your teeth, into your mouth, which can keep it from causing damage to your teeth. Gray teeth are often caused by thinning tooth enamel, so protecting your tooth enamel will keep your teeth whiter.
A great way to whiten your teeth is to use tooth whitening strips. Usually you will use these once or twice a day to both the top and the bottom. Leave it on for the appointed time then take it off. In a few weeks you should be a few shades whiter.
Mouthwash is great at fighting germs, but if you’re trying to whiten your teeth, it may be working against you by causing stains and discoloration. Avoid mouth washes that have bright colors, as they usually contain more chemicals.
Cut back on things that are known to stain your teeth. Try to cut back on coffee, cigarettes and soda. These are all things that are known to stain your teeth. If you eliminate what is causing your teeth to stain you will be able to keep them white.
To get better looking teeth through your diet, eat more raw foods. Chewing raw foods can be great for your teeth, and avoiding processed foods means you’ll develop less plaque. While raw foods aren’t a good way to get quick teeth whitening results, eating them regularly will make your teeth sparkle over time.
Drinking coffee and other staining liquids through a straw is an effective way to keep your teeth whiter. The straw will allow much less liquid to come in contact with your teeth. The liquid goes straight down your throat instead of making contact with your teeth.
In order to achieve pearly white teeth it is important to stay away from tobacco. Aside from the health side effects of smoking tobacco, another side effect that it does is that it makes your teeth turn yellow. This effect does not happen instantly and it only shows after long term tobacco use.
To prevent teeth whiteners from bleaching your gums along with your teeth, rub a small bit of petroleum jelly on your gums before using whitening products. The petroleum jelly provides a protective coating that will help stop the active ingredients in topical whiteners from also bleaching your gums along with your teeth.
The first line of defense against any type of discoloring problem is a dental regimen that includes a whitening toothpaste as well as a mouthwash to help with this. While these things alone won’t be able to completely whiten your teeth they will be a very good start to give you a good base.
Try using some whitening strips to brighten your smile. They actually do work well to lighten your teeth a couple shades. For the best results, it is recommended that you use them at least six hours after brushing. Make sure to dry your teeth with a tissue before you apply the strips.
It is very easy to become “addicted” to whitening your teeth. Overuse of whitening products, especially those with bleach, can have an adverse effect on your teeth and gums. Once you have reached your white level, continue with touch-ups once a month. Multiple bleaching treatments should only be done once or twice a year.
A great teeth whitening tip is to make sure that you visit the dentist on a regular basis to have your teeth professionally cleaned. This will help to reduce the plaque that builds up on your teeth and will also make sure that you do not have any other oral health issues.
You can whiten your teeth, on your own, in many daily small steps. Whitening your teeth does not necessarily cost you a lot of money or time. No matter how you decide to whiten your teeth, make sure you practice good oral hygiene on a daily basis, not only to keep your teeth and gums healthy but to maintain your bright, white smile.
