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.
Citrus fruits are famous for their benefits. Lemons and oranges are not only nutritionally dense foods, but can be used to whiten your smile. Take the peel of the orange or lemon and rub the back of it on the surface of your teeth until they sparkle. A dab of salt could also be added to improve the results of the orange and lemon peels.
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.
Do not use teeth bleaching or whitening kits if you are pregnant. Swallowing even a trace amount of the chemicals and ingredients in these kits is enough to potentially cause harm to the fetus. Instead make sure that you wait until after your baby is born to try a teeth whitening program.
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.
There is no real evidence that teeth whitening products will harm a baby during pregnancy or nursing. You should play it safe and avoid taking any chances. There is no reason to risk your baby’s health just to have a whiter smile. Go to your dentist and have a good cleaning done.
Before beginning any kind of a teeth whitening program, be sure to visit your dentist and have a thorough cleaning and check up. This could actually be all that you need for a nice, white smile. It will also allow your dentist to check your gums because these whitening treatments should not be used when the gums are inflamed.
When buying whitening toothpastes, bear in mind that they are not increasing the whiteness of the teeth. These toothpastes are designed to break up and dissolve the residue left behind from dark beverages and foods that can stain. They target the stains so that the natural whiteness of your teeth will be uncovered.
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.
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.
There is little difference between teeth whitening toothpaste and regular toothpaste. It’s not really the best idea to waste money on products that won’t make much of a difference. This is just a waste of money.
To make sure your teeth stay looking great, see your dentist regularly. Even if you have healthy teeth, it’s important to monitor them. Frequent dental visits will assure that problems are caught before damage can be done to your teeth. It’s the best way to make sure that your pearly whites will keep on sparkling.
For inexpensive teeth whitening at home, brush your teeth thoroughly and then swish a mouthful of hydrogen peroxide inside your mouth for as long as possible before spitting it out into the sink. Hydrogen peroxide is an active ingredient in most commercial teeth whitening products and provides an oxygenating action that helps lift stains from teeth.
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!
Avoid using mouthwashes that have added coloring are are mass-marketed in stores. These particular mouthwashes could actually stain your teeth. There is also alcohol in many of them. This can cause damage to your tongue and gums, and even enter your bloodstream through the tissues beneath the tongue.
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!
