Having a healthy-looking, brilliant smile can take years off of your appearance. Because of wear and tear, the aging process, and lifestyle choices that we make can all take a toll on the color of our teeth. Many Americans have opted to select one of the many options available for teeth whitening.
Some whitening strips can cause damage to your gums. Avoid products that require you to leave them on for hours. Even though these sorts of treatments may take longer to take effect, they will protect your mouth and gums from damage.
If you want to whiten your teeth naturally, then look no further that your box of baking soda. This is one of the most proven home remedies. Make a paste with baking soda and water and brush your teeth using this paste, and then rinse. When done consistently, you will soon have gleaming white teeth.
Use mouthwash sparingly as it can add to discoloration of the teeth. Many mouthwashes contain alcohol or other stain causing chemicals. These can also be absorbed into the soft tissues in the mouth under the tongue and into your system. If you can avoid them altogether, this is the better option.
Buy a tooth whitening product that contains about 15% of the whitening agent. Too little of the whitening chemicals and the product will be ineffective. Too much, and your mouth may become irritated by the harshness of the chemical. Try out a mid-range product; if you tolerate it well and you aren’t getting good results, then move to a higher concentration.
Drink beverages known to stain teeth with a straw. If beverages you drink are known to stain your teeth and you must have them, then drink them through a straw. This will ensure the drink isn’t in direct contact with your teeth causing stains. This will keep your teeth whiter longer.
Eat an apple to help create the illusion of having whiter teeth. When you bite into the flesh of an apple, the abrasive fruit will actually clean the enamel of your teeth. It’s only a surface clean that is temporary, but it does work.
If you are looking for an easy way to get a whiter, brighter smile, then you should try using teeth whitening strips. These strips are a convenient way to get your smile looking great because they are so easy to use. These strips contain peroxide, which help to clean the outside of your teeth.
Avoid using toothpastes that contain fluoride. Experts have found that fluoride can leave your teeth discolored and stained. However, it is still used as a major ingredient in many toothpastes and teeth-cleaning products. Look at the ingredients carefully when choosing a toothpaste. Try to avoid any that list fluoride as an ingredient.
A teeth whitening solution that you can make at home is with salt and baking soda. Mix the two together and scrub your teeth with the solution. The mixture acts as a cleanser and kills off the plaque-causing bacteria that can discolor your teeth!
For whiter teeth, stay away from white wines. White wines generally contain more acid than red wines, which will eat away at the enamel of your teeth.
Teeth that were recently whitened will absorb color from foods very easily. You want to try not to eat or drink a lot of things with strong colors like juices and sodas for a little while after having your teeth whitened. Or you may find that instead of pearly white teeth, you now have blood red teeth.
To help prevent your teeth from getting stained, try to stay away from foods and drinks that are known to stain your teeth. Avoid foods like blueberries and soy sauce. In moderation, these foods are okay, but try not to over do it. Drinks like tea and coffee will also cause stains on your teeth.
If you clean your teeth yourself, pay attention to any increased sensitivity. Peroxide can cause your gums to swell or become irritated, so you might want to get a home whitening kit with a low peroxide concentration if a regular whitening kit hurts your gums. It usually takes a few days, but these side effects will diminish.
One important teeth whitening tip is to make sure that you always drink plenty of water. This will act as a natural way to remove extra food and harmful materials from your teeth, keeping them whiter. Be sure to rinse with water after eating as often as possible.
Instead of using bleach to get your teeth whiter, you may want to consider using paint-on bleach. This product has the same concept as nail polish – use a brush to paint over unwanted teeth colors. After you paint it on, let it stay for about 5 minutes, then take it off!
Save yourself time and money by whitening your teeth with natural home remedies rather than buying expensive treatments that frequently provide the same results. Try making toothpaste from a crushed strawberry and some baking soda. The malic acid in strawberries acts as a natural tooth whitener. Another option is to make a paste using water and activated charcoal. Use gauze to rub it on your teeth rather than a toothbrush, and make sure to rinse thoroughly. Lemon juice also acts as a whitening agent. However, use this technique only occasionally, as the juice is acidic and can damage the enamel on your teeth if applied frequently.
Whether you choose to whiten your teeth in the comfort of your own home, or as you relax at the dentist’s office, you will no doubt be pleased with the results! A tremendous amount of what we look like has to do with our smile, so go treat yourself!
