Having stained or yellow teeth can be a very troublesome condition. If you cannot afford a dentist, this topic can be outright intimidating. The following teeth-whitening tips can help you take small steps to make your teeth white and shiny.
If you over use teeth whitening products, especially extremely powerful ones, you could be doing serious harm to your teeth. You should always consult with your dentist before going through such a procedure and make sure it’s safe for you to do so. If your dentist says it’s too soon or you’ve done it too many times – listen to him!
Some whitening strips are only as effective as the leading whitening toothpaste. You should consult your dentist to see if they recommend a specific brand that may work better than others.
When you are going through a teeth whitening process, you may experience sensitivity. Sensitivity during the whitening is very common. The sensitivity should disappear within a day or two after the process is over. If you have continued sensitivity, you should consult with your dentist about the problem that you are having.
Heavy smoking can in fact damage and stain your teeth. It helps to cut down on the amount of cigarettes you smoke each day or eliminate them out of your life completely. People who smoke have a harder time keeping their teeth clean than those who don’t.
Find a teeth whitening program that fits into your life and schedule. Some require long periods of time with a gel or other device on your teeth. If you have a busy schedule with little down time, this may not work for you. Other programs require several treatments in the course of a day. Find one that works for you.
Make appointments with your local dentist regularly to clean your teeth. There is nothing that can be as thorough as a dentist in cleaning your teeth and helping you keep a white smile. If you have the dentist clean your teeth once or even twice a year, you will see that you have to worry less about keeping your teeth white- the only exception is unless you are a smoker.
Floss your teeth. You should floss thoroughly at least twice a day. Flossing removes food and helps to fight the build-up of plaque. Most people do not bother to floss at all. Neglecting to do so can damage your teeth. To keep them looking their best, remember to floss.
If your teeth are deeply stained and you need your teeth white fast, the best bet is a professional whitening procedure from your dentist. Of course, you will pay more for a professional cleaning, but the results are instant and long-lasting.
Bleaching is a very effective way to whiten your teeth, but if done too often, will weaken your teeth and damage their enamel. This can actually increase tooth sensitivity, and make staining more probable.
Drink less tea and coffee. Tea and coffee are both horrible for your teeth. They stain them, leaving them slightly brown or dull. Try to cut down on your tea and coffee consumption. If you do not want to cut back, rinse your mouth out thoroughly after you are done drinking.
Red wine often causes teeth discoloration. If someone is an avid wine drinker they will usually have discolored teeth. The wine is absorbed into your teeth, staining them. Cutting back, or even stopping, the intake of red wine is the only solution.
If you have gum disease, a gum infection or unfilled cavities, consult with your family doctor or dentist before using any teeth whitening products. Certain chemicals can make you gum or tooth problem worse. Have any tooth or gum problems fixed or treated before you use any tooth whitening chemicals or procedures.
Don’t be discouraged if the color of your teeth does not turn out exactly as you would like. You can always do a second round of treatment and it generally takes quite some time before you will start to see realistic results no matter the type of regimen or products that you use.
It is very easy to become “addicted” to whitening your teeth. Overuse of whitening products, especially those with bleach, can have an adverse effect on your teeth and gums. Once you have reached your white level, continue with touch-ups once a month. Multiple bleaching treatments should only be done once or twice a year.
You might experience some degree of irritation to your gums when using an in-home teeth whitening product. If this happens to you, try to buy a product that has a lower concentration of peroxide. It’s common for any minor side effects from these products to go away within two or three days after you start using them.
A big part of helping your teeth get whiter and stay that way is with constant flossing. Try getting a bunch of floss packets for places where you always are such as your home, office, car, etc. To effectively use it when not around a mirror, train yourself to floss with your eyes closed.
A great tip that can help you whiten your teeth is to look into alternative whitening methods. If you’re someone that has sensitive teeth, an alternative method such as using baking soda can work for you. Rinse your mouth with a little bit of baking soda in water and your teeth will get white in no time.
As you have read, you can take small steps yourself that can help brighten your smile. The above advice can help you whiten your teeth, without costly dentist visits or products. To get the most from your efforts, you should include regular dental maintenance in your daily routine.