There are various ways to brighten your smile. Some of them work, but some don’t. Whatever method you choose to brighten your smile, be sure to do some research. Some home remedies can have side effects, and commercial products are not always as powerful as they would like you to believe. Read on to explore a few safe and effective whitening options.
If you use two hour teeth whitening strips and your gums are getting increasingly sensitive, switch to half hour strips. Although it will take two weeks of applying these strips twice a day for a half hour, gums are less likely to be sensitive.
Try not to use over-the-counter whitening products without first consulting with your dentist. A lot of the times, these products’ harsh chemicals can actually damage your teeth, far from the intended benefits. Your dentist will be able to help you determine if your tooth enamel is strong enough for OTC treatments.
Before the invention of fancy teeth whitening mouthwashes and toothpastes, baking soda served as a great alternative. You can still use baking soda to effectively whiten your teeth. Pour some baking soda on your toothbrush and start brushing your teeth. Make sure that you do not swallow the baking soda and rinse out thoroughly when finished. You can easily see the whitening effects within the first few weeks.
If your consume beverages such as coffee, soda, or dark wine, alternate drinking these with sipping water. These drinks can cause staining quickly, particularly if you consume them regularly. Rinsing your mouth out with water while drinking the staining products can help to limit the amount of staining that takes place. If you can brush your teeth after you have finished your drink, you will also minimize any staining.
When thinking about whitening your teeth, it is important to keep in mind the color of your natural teeth. Whitening will give you the best results if you have yellow teeth. If your teeth are brownish you will receive medium results. Whitening is least affective on teeth that are gray in color.
Use mouthwash sparingly as it can add to discoloration of the teeth. Many mouthwashes contain alcohol or other stain causing chemicals. These can also be absorbed into the soft tissues in the mouth under the tongue and into your system. If you can avoid them altogether, this is the better option.
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.
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.
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.
Use dried, crushed holy basil leaves to whiten your teeth. This is a known method for naturally whitening your teeth and is very effective. It is also very good for your keeping your gums healthy. This is a great way to whiten your teeth and has positive oral health benefits.
To prevent teeth whiteners from bleaching your gums along with your teeth, rub a small bit of petroleum jelly on your gums before using whitening products. The petroleum jelly provides a protective coating that will help stop the active ingredients in topical whiteners from also bleaching your gums along with your teeth.
Bear in mind that artificial fixtures like crowns will not whiten like natural enamel does. If you use a whitening technique on your teeth but your crowns which are not whitened show, people will see some of your teeth as white and some discolored, giving an odd effect. Consult with your dental professional for ways to minimize this problem.
Several dental companies are currently selling different types of strips to place in the mouth and aid in whitening. These are actually one of the best ways to improve your smile outside of a medical procedure. Although they may be a bit expensive they are quite effective and can help a great deal.
Try using some whitening strips to brighten your smile. They actually do work well to lighten your teeth a couple shades. For the best results, it is recommended that you use them at least six hours after brushing. Make sure to dry your teeth with a tissue before you apply the strips.
Since most teeth whitening gels are so powerful, only a dentist can give them to you. Teeth whitening gel is used in conjunction with laser whitening and only the laser equipment will activate it. This is a more costly method than others, but lasts longer and works quicker.
Whitening your teeth doesn’t have to be hard and by opting to use the tips from the article above, you can start on your way to having a whiter smile. Some methods may work for you better than others, but remember to experiment to find a proper teeth whitening regimen that works for you.
