If you are one of the millions of people that have stained, discolored teeth, and would like to learn how to get rid of your embarrassing smile, then you’ll be glad to hear that teeth whitening can be a fun, an uncomplicated, and affordable way to get the smile you have always dreamed of. This article contains many easy tips to help you on your way to a gorgeous smile.
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.
You must start with teeth that are thoroughly cleaned if you want to get the greatest results using a home whitening product. Although hair dyes work better on hair that is a little dirty, whitening products aren’t as effective on dirty teeth. Remove any food or obstacles by brushing your teeth and flossing before whitening; not doing so, can give you an uneven shade of white.
If you have gum disease or untreated cavities in your mouth, be cautious before undergoing any teeth whitening procedures. You could end up damaging your teeth even further or just end up wasting money on a procedure that won’t work. You should consult with your dentist before undergoing the procedure.
When deciding whether or not to have your teeth whitened, consider whether or not you have crowns or other dental work. Natural surfaces are affected to a much greater degree by the whitening process than are synthetic surfaces. These products are not effective at whitening artificial teeth surfaces. In addition to dental crowns, you must consider implants, veneers and even some fillings. Your own teeth will be lightened but that will only highlight the artificial dental work and the results won’t be pretty.
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.
Your crowns will never whiten like the rest of your teeth. When use whitening products, it will have an effect on natural teeth but not your crowns.
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.
Avoid teeth whitening if you are pregnant or nursing. The chemicals used for the whitening process may be safe to put in your mouth, but they could be potentially harmful to your little one. Consult with your physician and your dentist before you attempt any process during your pregnancy and nursing periods.
Removing plaque is essential to whitening your teeth and the best method for ridding yourself of plaque is to use an electric toothbrush. Plaque creates a good surface for stains to build on. Electric toothbrushes are recommended by most dentists due to their ability to break up plaque and remove the stains that are associated with it.
Eat crunchy vegetables like apples and celery to help remove surface stains on your teeth. Think of them as like a loofah for your smile. They exfoliate the teeth before the stains can get deeply attached to the surface of your teeth. Fibrous foods like spinach, lettuce and broccoli will also work.
If you want to get whiter teeth, eat foods that are filled with fiber. While certain foods are more likely to stain your teeth, foods that are high in fiber, such as carrots, spinach, celery, and broccoli exfoliate your teeth before stain molecules can attach to your teeth and stain them.
Eat natural “brushing” food. The most common natural “toothbrush” that you can eat is an apple. The texture helps to eliminate stains on your teeth. Other foods that can help scrub your teeth are veggies like celery and raw carrots and snacks like popcorn. Eat them at the end of your meal if you cannot brush at that time.
Mouthwash can actually promote the discoloration of your teeth. Some of the chemicals in mouthwash, like alcohol, have been shown to stain teeth brown or yellow by eroding the white enamel. Talk to your dentist and ask whether you’ll be okay without mouthwash.
You need to understand the process of teeth whitening and what to expect. If you expect more from it than it can provide, you can be disappointed. Know that there are various factors that you should be aware of, such as the severity of your staining or your age. The best person to talk about teeth whitening and effectiveness is your dentist.
By having whiter teeth, you will feel more confident. Use the advice offered above to take your not-so-pearly whites to the other end of the spectrum!
