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.
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.
To have a white smile, make sure you avoid drinking water or using toothpastes that contain fluoride. It has been reported that fluoride may aid in discoloring and permanently staining your teeth. Many countries have actually banned fluoride from their drinking water due to this very reason. To stay on the safe side, avoid fluoride at all costs for a healthy and white 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.
Beverages that contain acid or carbonation are best drunk with a straw to help keep your teeth white. By using a straw you can divert the beverages past the teeth and prevent some of the staining potential. Try not to fill your mouth with beverage when drinking as this will defeat the purpose of the straw.
Thoroughly rinse your mouth with water after eating or drinking. Your teeth will stay whiter if you take time to clean them after consuming food or drink. Doing this will eliminate any deep stains from your teeth.
One of the most effective ways to naturally whiten your teeth is to use a mixture of lemon juice and salt. You can make this up and keep it in a jar in your bathroom and use it a few times a week. Be sure to rinse your mouth out thoroughly after you are done to prevent damage from the acids in the lemon juice.
Use oranges to whiten your teeth. This has been proven to whiten teeth. You can use the peel of an orange to do this. Using the back of the orange peel, put it in your mouth and rub it on the surface of your teeth. Keep it there for about 5 minutes.
Don’t use products with fluoride in them such as drinking water or toothpaste. Fluoride is known to cause stains on your teeth and it should be avoided at all costs if you are trying to keep your teeth white. Check the labels on your toothpaste before you buy it to make sure it doesn’t have fluoride.
Mix baking soda and salt together for an at-home whitening method. This is a well known treatment for making teeth whiter. You can make a paste out of it by mixing them together with a little bit of water. Make sure you rinse your mouth out well afterwards.
Electric toothbrushes are really going to help you win the battle against yellow teeth. The pulsating brushes will eliminate your plaque more effectively than a traditional brush will and that will keep your teeth looking whiter. This will also help you fight gingivitis and cavities better than the traditional brush will.
To make your teeth look whiter via makeup, wear red lipstick! Deep reds and other blue based colors create a visual illusion of whiter teeth. By the same token, you should avoid any warmer colors like yellows or browns. The colors will create an effect that highlights the yellowest parts of your teeth.
If you want whiter teeth, take a tip from beauty pageants and try using vaseline on your teeth. While the taste will not be entirely pleasant, the barrier created by the Vaseline will protect your teeth.
Use a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water to make a rinse to whiten your teeth. Not only does hydrogen peroxide kill germs, it also acts as a whitening agent. Many companies make a “whitening” mouthwash with water, hydrogen peroxide and mint flavor. Save money by making your own rinse.
Perhaps the most effective way of getting your teeth whiter is by visiting your dentist. Because some home products may not be ideal for you, dentists can provide you with teeth bleaching and other techniques that are more effective. This may require you going for more than one dental treatment.
One important teeth whitening tip is to try to avoid beverages that will stain your teeth. There are many liquids that can cause damage that is hard to reverse. Drinks to avoid if possible are carrot juice, red wine, coffee, tea, and cola. If you do choose to dring any of these drinks, be sure to clean your teeth soon afterward.
Contrary to what people think, Hydrogen Peroxide is not a safe whitening product. It is unsafe and can actually leave your teeth discolored; you may also end up with two different colored teeth. Keep away from things that have peroxide in them.
Before you commit to a certain over-the-counter teeth whitener, you may want to check online reviews or ask your friends for their experience with it. Many times, people pay ridiculous amounts for a product that promises to whiten their teeth, when in reality, it does absolutely nothing to help or makes teeth color worse.
A great tip that can help you whiten your teeth is to listen to your body. Ease off of whitening products if you start noticing that your gums are bleeding. Irritated gums and teeth are a common symptom of whitening products. Listen to your body and discontinue use if you notice these symptoms.
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!
