Nobody is interested in having teeth that are yellow and stained. That said, is there any way to get your teeth whiter without damaging either your teeth or your gums? While there is a plethora of information available, not all of the advice out there is in your best interest to follow. Read on for tips to get your smile brighter without damaging your teeth.
Starting with clean teeth is the best bet if you’ll be trying home whitening. Teeth whitening works better using a blank canvas, unlike hair dye on dirty hair. In fact, it can be counterproductive to try to whiten dirty teeth–some teeth will come out whiter than others and your teeth won’t look right. Make sure you brush and floss right before whitening to avoid this problem.
Chewing gum can actually whiten teeth. It’s true! Gum acts as a mild abrasive and also promotes saliva production, both of which help to clean teeth. But it is important to use a gum that does not contain sugar. Malitol is a sugar alcohol found in many gums, and it almost tastes just like sugar, and it will not rot your teeth.
When using a teeth whitening kit be sure to follow the directions exactly as they are written. Do not think that if you leave it on longer that you are going to see better results. It can irritate your gums and could lead to some really serious problems down the road. The directions are there to be followed.
Use organic coconut oil to whiten your teeth. Every day, spend 10 minutes swishing a mouthful of coconut oil over your teeth and gums. This is an all-natural method of lifting stubborn surface stains. Once 10 minutes have passed, spit out the liquid and clean your teeth as you normally would. You should see some results after a few days.
See your doctor before taking any steps toward whitening your teeth with store-bought products. It might be that you simply need a professional cleaning. Your dentist can tell you if your gums are healthy. If you have any inflammation it is wise to wait on the whitening treatment until your gums are in better condition.
Pay close attention to the state of your mouth when using at-home teeth whitening products. For some people these treatments can cause temporary, mild tooth sensitivity. If you are using a product with a tray that does not fit your mouth well this can irritate your gums. Discontinue the treatments if you experience discomfort or pain.
If you are whitening your teeth and you begin experiencing sensitivity, stop what you are doing right away. Developing a sensitivity to these products could mean it is time to talk to your dentist for recommendations about other options. Always discuss what you best treatment options may be with your dentist.
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.
For the most effective at-home teeth whitening, call a few local dentists’ offices and ask for the name brand of the whitening products they use in their office or what they send home with patients to use. Most often, all of those products are readily available online for a much less expensive price than through your dental care provider.
Avoid drinking water with fluoride in it. Fluoride has been proven to damage your teeth. It can discolor or stain your teeth. It can even damage the enamel. Many areas have banned water with fluoride in it all together. Even so, it is a good idea to check and make sure.
A natural way to help whiten your teeth is to eat fruits and vegetables that are fibrous in texture. These types of foods act as a natural cleanser, scrubbing the teeth while you are eating them. Some great choices for fibrous fruits and vegetables are apples, cucumber, carrots and broccoli.
If you are interested in whitening your teeth, talk to your dentist first. Getting the teeth whitening results you really want can require professional help. Without getting your dentist’s advice, you risk damaging your teeth and your general oral health over time. Contact your dentist about teeth whitening methods before using them.
Use hydrogen peroxide to make your smile whiter. Start by dipping a washcloth or available rag into the hydrogen peroxide. Rub the cloth over your teeth after you’ve dampened it. The solution removes built-up stains from the surface of your teeth and the scrubbing action helps to further polish them.
One important teeth whitening tip is to try a natural method such as rubbing the insides of an orange peel on your teeth in a back and forth motion. This is a great natural and cheap way to whiten your teeth as opposed to using harsh chemicals that may permanently damage their integrity.
A natural way that has been proven to help whiten teeth is to use a mixture of half baking soda and half salt. You can apply it to your toothbrush and brush your teeth the way you would if you were using regular toothpaste. Make sure you do not swallow.
Some fruits can naturally whiten your teeth. Strawberries are great for whitening. You can rub them on your teeth or mash them up into a paste, brush them on, and leave them for about five minutes. Rinse your teeth well. Orange peel is also good for whitening. You can rub it directly on the teeth. Another natural fruit tooth whitener is lemon juice and salt mixed together.
As you know, there are many different opinions about the best way to whiten your teeth. With these tips, you’ve learned the some of the better ways to get whiter teeth. Let this article lead you to whiter, brighter teeth.