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.
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.
Ask your dentist about the different teeth whitening options available to you. Some dentists may recommend a procedure that they provide in their office. Some may refer you to a certain product that you can find at your local pharmacy. Some may simply suggest that you brush your teeth more often.
While mouthwashes are great at fighting bacteria, they can often discolor your teeth. When choosing a mouthwash, select one that is less brightly colored and that is a bit weaker than some of the rest.
Cut back on things that are known to stain your teeth. Try to cut back on coffee, cigarettes and soda. These are all things that are known to stain your teeth. If you eliminate what is causing your teeth to stain you will be able to keep them white.
Floss your teeth twice a day. It’s best to do this to prevent plaque, which can discolor your teeth. Make sure you floss in the morning but, most importantly, before you go to sleep because this is when teeth are most susceptible to damage and plaque buildup. Flossing before you go to sleep will prevent this.
Brush your teeth at least twice a day. It might seem like an obvious thing to do, but most people neglect to brush their teeth as well or as often as they should. If you don’t bother to brush your teeth properly, they are unlikely to remain as white as you would like.
Include high-fiber fruits and vegetables in your diet to make use of their natural cleaning effect on your teeth. A few examples of fruits and vegetables that are high in fiber are broccoli, apples, and carrots. They should be eaten raw, and make sure you chew them for a while so you give them enough time to clean your teeth. Move the food all around your mouth while chewing so you are able to get as much of your mouth as possible.
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.
One of the primary causes of having discolored teeth and smile in general is bad habits with beverages. Coffee is one of the leading causes of having teeth that are discolored. If you are determined to continue drinking coffee then you will want to brush your teeth immediately after each cup.
When going with home whitening kits, make sure that they have the proper concentration of peroxide to remove stains on your teeth. Generally you want to look for concentrations of at least 10 percent peroxide. Any higher can be destructive to your enamel and any lower may not be strong enough to make a difference.
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.
As the famous saying goes, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”. This includes dentists. Apples are crisp and smooth when you bite into them and biting an apple actually cleans your teeth. Apples also contain properties that can kill most of the bacteria that sits on your teeth.
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.
