Tips On Whitening Your Teeth

It seems everyone now wants the Hollywood actor's ultra-white smile. Of course, a pearly white smile looks great and sends signals of health and youthfulness. The opposite is also true. In today's appearance conscious society, stained or yellow teeth convey an unhealthy signal. Here are some facts on teeth whitening to help you in your quest for a great smile.

Unfortunately, many of our daily habits contribute to staining our teeth. Many of us drink colas, coffee or smoke. These are habits which will stain your teeth enamel. One way to minimize the effect these habits have on your smile is to brush your teeth more often than after every meal.

You do not have to spend a large amount of money to get whiter teeth. Try the poor man's version of teeth whiteners, plain old baking soda! Just place a small, toothpaste size amount of baking soda on your tooth brush and gently brush your teeth. This is probably the most inexpensive way to get visibly whiter teeth and it works very well.

If you are going to use any commercial teeth whitening product, make sure you do not have gum disease. If you do have gum disease, contact your dentist for advise on what to do.

If you find your teeth are yellow, it will help you to know it is usually just a layer of film. As mentioned previously, many habits cause this. When you smoke, drink certain beverages or even chew tobacco, yellowing of the teeth will follow.

Many people are unaware that excess fluoride can stain teeth. It is a medical condition called Dental Fluorosis, characterized by discoloring or brown spots on one's teeth. This can be caused by excessive fluoride from the water supply or some other source.

Most dentists and whitening product companies do not recommend pregnant women whiten their teeth. This is due to the unknown effects of the chemicals in the products on the fetus.

Teeth whitening, like most other practices, should be done in moderation. Whitening your teeth too much can result in damaging the enamel on your teeth and is not really necessary.

One practice to avoid is engaging in teeth-staining habits after whitening your teeth. Staining teeth which have just been whitened is easy, so abstain from teeth-staining activities for a few days afterward.

Although there is controversy on the subject, a number of people feel the dye in their mouthwash contributes to staining their teeth. You can monitor this by increasing or decreasing the frequency you use mouthwash.

Be careful when eating hot, hard or spicy foods after a teeth whitening treatment. Whitened teeth are more sensitive after the treatment.

Some experts recommend rinsing your mouth with water often. This is believed to minimize the staining of your teeth.

Dentists agree for normal plaque removal and keeping teeth clean, regular toothpaste is just as good as the whitening variety.

Other than using baking soda periodically, with your dentist's approval,it is a good idea to steer clear of home remedies. Many friends and relatives might recommend home remedies that might not work at all or even cause you harm.

If you follow the tips mentioned, having a pearly white smile should not be too difficult. Be consistent in your efforts and you will be rewarded with a whiter and brighter smile.