A brighter, whiter smile is what half of America is searching for. Some have found it, some have not. The key is not in these high dollar teeth whitening treatments that you can buy at the store; the key is in how you take care of your teeth by what you eat, drink, and if you properly clean them. Below are some tips on what to avoid and what to take up when trying to whiten your teeth.
To avoid unnecessary pain, people with sensitive teeth should consult a dental professional to find the best possible whitening product. Since most take home teeth whitening products are not made for sensitive teeth, it is important that you consult a professional before applying an irritant to your own sensitive teeth. They can direct you to the most effective and pain-free whitening solution.
Practice preventative maintenance on your teeth by using a gum massager. You want to target the area under the gum flap where the plaque begins to build up. Plaque is a major contributor to discolored teeth. When the plaque begins to build on your teeth, stains can adhere to the surface easier.
Try to avoid water with fluoride added in or toothpaste that incorporates fluoride. Recent reports have shown that fluoride can stain and discolor teeth. If you only have access to water in your home with fluoride added to it, either look for a filter or consider drinking your water from bottles as long as it is without fluoride as well.
See your doctor before taking any steps toward whitening your teeth with store-bought products. It might be that you simply need a professional cleaning. Your dentist can tell you if your gums are healthy. If you have any inflammation it is wise to wait on the whitening treatment until your gums are in better condition.
To keep water from staining your teeth, avoid fluoride. While fluoride can be good for your teeth’s overall health, many people have reported that it leaves their teeth discolored. If there’s fluoride in the tap water in your home, try installing a water purifier to minimize its effects on your teeth.
Strawberries are a great natural teeth whitener. You can rub them on your teeth for a quick whitening method. You can also mash them up and make them into a paste. You can then brush the paste on your teeth and leave it there for 5 minutes, then rinse your mouth out.
The chemicals that are used to help whiten your teeth can cause your gums and other soft tissues in your mouth to become irritated. These caustic chemicals can make your mouth feel like it is in a whole world of hurt. Make sure you talk to your doctor about any problems that you experience.
You should make certain to avoid drinking anything but clear liquids during the four days immediately after receiving a teeth whitening treatment. Right after a whitening treatment, your teeth will be more sensitive and absorb dark pigments from coffee or tea for instance.
To maintain the results of your whitening, stay away from cigarettes and processed foods. Teeth friendly foods like apples, celery, and carrots will keep your teeth healthy and bright. Chewing on a sugar free gum can also be very helpful, as it stimulates the production of saliva, which can lead to a cleaner mouth.
Drink less tea and coffee. Tea and coffee are both horrible for your teeth. They stain them, leaving them slightly brown or dull. Try to cut down on your tea and coffee consumption. If you do not want to cut back, rinse your mouth out thoroughly after you are done drinking.
Are you a smoker? If so, you must stop. Spending money on tooth whitening treatments is a waste of time if you keep smoking in the meantime. Any success you have will be completely reversed if you keep smoking.
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.
Use a whitening floss to help whiten the area in between your teeth. Most don’t notice that we do get stains in between our teeth as well as on the front. The use of whitening floss will help remove those stains. Flossing regularly will also help your gums get healthier which will contribute to your beautiful smile.
Do not smoke. Smoking is not only bad for your overall health, it is going to stain your teeth. A smoker is easy to spot because those yellow teeth give it away. If you keep smoking, all your teeth whitening efforts will be useless. If quitting smoking is not an option, cut back as much as possible for the sake of your health and to have a white, bright smile.
Strawberries, among other fruits, work as excellent teeth whiteners. Eat them regularly and make sure to bite into them with your front teeth to reap the benefits of their teeth-whitening properties. Another way to utilize strawberries to whiten teeth is to mash them in a paste, apply and leave on for 5 minutes. Make sure to rinse thoroughly afterward to remove the sugars.
Do not expect any kind of teeth whitening methods to work the first time, even bleaching them. Many people think that it only takes one time to get their teeth sparkly white and give up when the one time does not work. Usually, treatments require a follow-up every few months.
As previously stated, white teeth are in high demand by most of America. There are costly ways to go about whitening your teeth, then there are smart ways. Of course, the smart ways are best. The costly ways may be easier, but could hurt your teeth in the long run, not to mention your bank account. If you follow the aforementioned teeth-whitening tips, then you should be well on your way to achieving those beautiful pearly whites you have always dreamed of.
