There are many ways to whiten teeth, some of which are done by dental professionals, and other done at home by over the counter products or natural methods. Most people would like to restore the natural white color of their teeth, and they would like to do this as naturally and as cost-effectively as possible. Read on to discover a few good ideas on how you can make it happen. You may not need to go down the expensive route.
Mix baking soda with a small amount of purified water and brush the mixture over your teeth with a tooth brush. Baking soda has long been recognized for its ability to whiten teeth, which is why it is now added to so many toothpastes. This technique is sure to whiten your smile.
You should keep in mind that teeth whitening only works for your real, natural teeth. It will not work on any crowns, veneers, implants, or fillings you have in your mouth. So if you have a lot of these, it may not be worth the expense of trying to whiten your teeth.
When you are whitening your teeth, remember that there are limitations to what it can do. If you have had extensive dental treatments like caps, bridges or crowns, these will not be whitened by the treatment that you are using. You will have to have this work replaced to match your new whiter smile.
Use a tooth-whitening toothpaste, but don’t expect miracles on badly discolored teeth. Tooth whitening toothpaste does not bleach teeth, so it can’t remove existing stains. But it does help remove much of the plaque on your teeth, and can remove staining chemicals before they have a chance to discolor those pearly whites.
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.
Invest in a set of teeth whitening trays to get the very best results while bleaching your teeth. Whitening trays are made from impressions of your teeth and are a harder plastic than the standard rubbery trays included in many whitening kits. You can get the trays from your dentist, but better yet, there are many reputable manufacturers of the trays online that are willing to send you the materials and guide you through the process of taking impressions of your own teeth at home. Simply return the impressions for a set of custom trays. Trays very effectively keep the whitening product in place, and save on the amount of product needed to do the job.
Once you have taken the time to whiten your teeth, you should always keep them clean by brushing regularly throughout the day. Bacteria will grow around your teeth when there is food caught around them. If your tooth enamel is still porous after the whitening procedure, this bacterial growth can cause a great deal of damage. To prevent this problem, always brush after eating.
Two great fruits to help you naturally whiten your teeth are pears and apples. When eaten, both of these fruits create a large amount of saliva. The additional saliva helps clean those stained teeth. So next time you are looking for a healthy snack, choose one that will also whiten your teeth!
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.
Schedule regular appointments to have your teeth cleaned. Yearly appointments for teeth cleanings are recommended. Many people do who do not visit the dentist on a regular basis are quick to buy harsh chemicals to whiten their teeth later. Avoid stained teeth and harsh chemicals completely by having your teeth cleaned at the dentist at least once a year.
One important teeth whitening tip is to make sure that you both brush and floss your teeth on a regular basis. This is important for your overall oral health as well as making sure that you are removing anything that will stain or discolor your teeth such as plaque or coffee.
Whatever approach you decide to take, you must also keep these factors in mind. Teeth naturally have slightly different shades of white, so if your teeth are naturally off-white, do not try to go beyond that. You should never exceed the recommended doses and intervals of application. Finally, give it time! Aim for a very gradual improvement.
