Boasting a brilliant smile can boost one's self esteem, fostering confidence and positivity. A beautiful white smile can radiate warmth, creating a welcoming feeling that can put a guest at ease, or cheer up a depressed friend. Over time teeth have the tendency to yellow, becoming stained from age, foods, drinks, and medications. With so many products advertised to whiten teeth, choosing the right method can be frustrating. Here are some tips to remember when attempting to cheer up a dull smile.
Don't Forget To Floss
Mom was right, brushing at least twice a day is necessary for healthy teeth and gums. Teaching the importance of good dental practices at an early age can avoid a lifetime of tooth and gum issues. Brushing away food particles and bacteria from teeth will not only preserve white, healthy teeth, but is essential for preventing gum disease. Invest in a battery powered toothbrush for maximum whitening benefit.
Flossing is imperative to maintaining a dazzling white smile. Flossing removes bacteria and plaque build-up in between teeth where a toothbrush simply cannot reach. Proper flossing inhibits gum disease as well, by cleansing the gum line, where food particles are likely to take refuge.
Proper dental hygiene not only provides for lustrous teeth and healthy gums, it battles against disease and bad breath causing bacteria. Unsure about a daily routine? Get oral health tips from the American Dental Association at http://www.ada.org/public/manage/index.asp.
Whiten Teeth Naturally With Fruits and Vegetables
Crunchy fruits and vegetables such as apples and carrots act as plaque zapping agents by increasing saliva production, which naturally cleanses away plaque causing bacteria. Like apples and carrots, pears and cucumbers act as natural toothbrushes, but they are not a replacement for the bristly kind.
Healthy eating is good for the body, mind, and... teeth! Noshing on broccoli and lettuce will maintain a whiter smile by coating teeth with a stain fighting barrier. This will help keep those pearly whites strong and healthy.
Strawberries and lemons contain acidic juices that are effective whiteners, as well as tasty. An easy at home whitening paste can be made by mixing pureed strawberries, lemon juice, and baking soda. Make sure to immediately brush with toothpaste to wash away any leftover sugar or acid, as these can cause tooth enamel to weaken.
Skip the Red, Try White
Wine, that is. Red wine is one of the most common beverages that notoriously stain teeth, along with the likes of coffee, tea, and caramel colored sodas. Making the switch to clear liquids is recommended in order to achieve optimum results when following a whitening program. It wouldn't make much sense to bleach a white shirt and then soak it in red wine, either!
If cutting back on coffee and/or tea is just not an option, adding milk is one way to lessen the tooth-staining capacity of these beverages. Another way to diminish staining potential is to simply brush after drinking anything with a dark hue. Sugar free chewing gum may also help by increasing saliva production, washing away stains.
Over the Counter Whitening
Many products are available that claim to whiten teeth, sold in the form of strips, pastes and gels, applicator pens, and trays. These over the counter tooth whitening products can be found at any drugstore or supermarket, and generally contain a 10% peroxide bleach mixture, whatever the preferred method of application may be.
Over the counter whitening strips have become the product of choice for a brighter smile, as they are easy to use and can be worn virtually unnoticed. In the past, messy bleaching trays were the only method of teeth whitening, but this no longer the case. Bleaching agents can now be applied by a pen-like applicator, allowing the user to coat each tooth directly with precision. The simplest, most obvious option is simply replacing regular toothpaste with a whitening toothpaste.
There are downsides to these methods as well, which is why it is important to do a little research before deciding on which bleaching product to buy. Whitening strips are effective and easy to use, but they have been known to cause gum irritation and tooth sensitivity. While whitening pens offer an exact application, the coating it leaves on each tooth is likely lose effectiveness when it comes into contact with saliva, producing uneven results. Toothpaste containing a whitening formula may lighten stains over time, but the results are not immediately noticeable.
Professional Whitening
Most people avoid going to the dentist, but maintaining an annual appointment is crucial to tooth and gum health. A trip to the dentist will not only leave teeth cleaner, some dental offices offer professional tooth bleaching at low or no cost. Professional bleaching consists of a tray that has been specially molded to fit, and a peroxide bleaching agent to take home and use when convenient.
Another whitening alternative is power bleaching, a procedure done in-office by a dental professional using a bleaching agent that is activated by a special light. Power bleaching is the fastest way to a brighter smile, and also the most expensive.
Once a whitening program has been established, it is important to follow it to the letter for maximum results. Use care when using bleaching agents, as they can cause skin and eye irritation. Always use any product as directed, and consult a dental professional with any questions before use. Have realistic expectations, and with a little effort, a brighter, more radiant smile can be within reach.
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