Everybody loves a bright, white, sparkling smile. In today’s day and age there are many great ways to make your teeth whiter. Choices range from professional whitening clinics and dentists to whitening strips and teeth whitening gels. With so many choices out there, how do you determine which one is right for you? Here at Make Your Teeth Whiter our goal is to provide you with the information you need to choose the option right for you. Let’s go over 5 simple ways to whiten your teeth.
Step 1 – Learn What Stains Your Teeth and How to Minimize the Effects
Some of the common everyday products that can stain teeth are:
Tobacco, cigarettes and cigars.- Coffee, teas and red wine.
- Sodas – especially colas.
- Sport drinks and energy drinks.
- Flavored water and lemonade.
A good rule of thumb is, if it can stain a cotton t-shirt it can stain your teeth. Learn more about how to make your teeth whiter by preventing stains on teeth here. Rinsing your mouth out with water is a great idea. It can go a long way in minimizing the amount of time these products stay in contact with your teeth. This will help keep your mouth clean and more importantly it will help make your teeth whiter!
Step 2 – Make Your Teeth Whiter With Regular Brushing and Flossing
The importance of brushing and flossing regularly cannot be overemphasized. Brushing and flossing removes plague before in can turn into Tatar or acids. A buildup of Tatar can lead to teeth stains. Acids can erode and decay your teeth. This in turn can lead to stained teeth as well. It is important to note a soft bristled tooth brush should be used. Medium and hard bristled tooth brushed can damage the tooth enamel and irritate gums. In order to make your teeth whiter it is crucial to brush and floss correctly. Here is an excellent video explaining how to brush and floss.
When brushing do not brush with toothpastes designed to whiten teeth regularly. Whitening toothpastes typically work by using strong abrasives to remove tooth stains. They should only be used sparingly. Regular use of teeth whitening toothpastes may make your teeth whiter at first. However it will eventually damage the teeth enamel and allow the yellow dentin to bleed through. This will result in your teeth appearing more yellow. Brush regularly with non-whitening toothpastes.
Step 3 – Visit Your Dentist for White Teeth
Visiting your dentist should be a priority regardless of whether you’d like white teeth or not. That being said your dentist is a great resource for whitening teeth. They are highly trained and can:
- Examine the general condition of your teeth.
- Check for extrinsic tooth stains.
- Check intrinsic tooth stains.
- Check your tooth enamel for cracks, and pitting.
- Check the condition of your gums.
- Recommend the best way to whiten method for you.
Visit the CDC site for more information on dental care.
Step 4 – Use Whitening Products Specifically Designed To Make Your Teeth Whiter
These are some of the most popular ways to whiten teeth. Your results with each of these methods will vary. Results depend on your age, whether the stains are extrinsic or intrinsic, general oral health and a variety of other factors.
Peroxide-Free Gels – a safe way to make your teeth whiter
These products whiten teeth without the use of peroxide. They were introduced for the European market since the EU banned all teeth whitening products containing hydrogen peroxide levels above 0.1%. Most hydrogen peroxide based teeth whitening products outside the EU contain 100 times to 400 times that level. Peroxide free products are the recommended teeth whitening products on this site due to the safety advantage they have over all the other products. These products do not cause any irritation, sensitivity or chemical burns. They are probably the safest way to whiten teeth at home and are available for purchase in the European Union where other teeth whitening products have been banned.
There are a couple of great options. The first is Zero Peroxide, which is the more expensive option. Zero Peroxide includes Aloe Vera, Chamomile, Pomegranate, Vitamin D and a clear tray with a LED light for faster results. The other option is made my Mint Cosmetic, and although more basic it still does a great job at a lower price point. Read the Mint Cosmetics Review here. These products whiten teeth relatively quickly, advertising results in as little as 20 minutes or 1 application. Both products are peroxide free and include a touch up pen.
Whitening Strips – a popular way to whiten teeth
Whitening strips, whether they are the Crest Whitestrips or Colgate’s optic white typically use peroxide to whiten teeth. Although effective in teeth whitening, this use of peroxide can make them dangerous to use. Peroxide is a harsh chemical that can cause chemical burns to gums and damage teeth. As a result the European Union has banned peroxide teeth whitening products. However peroxide teeth whitening products are still legal to use in the United States.
Whitening Toothpastes – teeth whitening made easy
Whitening toothpastes usually work by including some sort of abrasive compound. These abrasives are used to scrape and remove stains as well as polish teeth. If used to often or for too long these abrasive additives can damage the tooth’s enamel. At first the teeth may become whiter as the stains are scrubbed off and the teeth polished. However continued use will thin out the tooth’s enamel allowing the yellow dentin underneath to bleed through. That is why it is important to follow the manufactures usage recommendation. Also purchase a non-whitening toothpaste to brush with daily.
Step 5 – Consider Home Remedies for Whitening Teeth
Many readers would like to know how to whiten teeth at home. Here is a quick list of items that are easily obtainable and can whiten teeth. While they are no substitute for professional teeth whitening they do work. Caution should be exercised when utilizing these items as incorrect use can damage your teeth.
- Baking soda.
- Hydrogen peroxide.
- Strawberries.
- Lemon juice.
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To see recommended products that can make your teeth whiter check out the products links at the top of the page.