Our teeth are important to us. Not only do they provide us with a way to eat food, but our teeth are the first thing people see when we smile. Over time, our teeth lose that healthy white color and begin to look dull and stained from the food that we eat and the beverages that we drink. If you would like to make your teeth white again, then read these teeth whitening tips.

Mix baking soda with a small amount of purified water and brush the mixture over your teeth with a tooth brush. Baking soda has long been recognized for its ability to whiten teeth, which is why it is now added to so many toothpastes. This technique is sure to whiten your smile.

Surprisingly, baking soda is almost as effective as most long term teeth whiteners and is much cheaper. Mix about two table spoons of soda to one table spoon of water to form a paste, then, brush your teeth with this paste. If you do not like the taste, substitute a mouthwash for the water.

Beverages that contain acid or carbonation are best drunk with a straw to help keep your teeth white. By using a straw you can divert the beverages past the teeth and prevent some of the staining potential. Try not to fill your mouth with beverage when drinking as this will defeat the purpose of the straw.

Use a straw when drinking highly acidic beverages, such as sodas or citrus juices. Using a straw will help divert the acid away from your teeth, into your mouth, which can keep it from causing damage to your teeth. Gray teeth are often caused by thinning tooth enamel, so protecting your tooth enamel will keep your teeth whiter.

When buying whitening toothpastes, bear in mind that they are not increasing the whiteness of the teeth. These toothpastes are designed to break up and dissolve the residue left behind from dark beverages and foods that can stain. They target the stains so that the natural whiteness of your teeth will be uncovered.

See your doctor before taking any steps toward whitening your teeth with store-bought products. It might be that you simply need a professional cleaning. Your dentist can tell you if your gums are healthy. If you have any inflammation it is wise to wait on the whitening treatment until your gums are in better condition.

Pay close attention to the state of your mouth when using at-home teeth whitening products. For some people these treatments can cause temporary, mild tooth sensitivity. If you are using a product with a tray that does not fit your mouth well this can irritate your gums. Discontinue the treatments if you experience discomfort or pain.

To whiten your teeth on the go, try whitening strips. Available from many manufacturers in all price ranges, they really are one of the handiest ways of whitening your teeth while on the run. Apply the strips and wear while on your commute to work or out running errands with the kids and you’ll have white teeth without a lot of effort.

Brushing your teeth is vital if you want a clean, healthy smile. Food particles and plaque that build up in the crevices of your teeth can cause stains, discoloration and cavities. When you always brush your teeth you avoid having to worry yourself about discoloration.

To get professional teeth whitening done at an affordable price, look for a dental school or dental hygiene training program in your area and let a student dentist or hygienist do the job. Costs at dental schools are much, much less than at a professional dental office and while the work is carried out by a student, there is always a licensed dentist on-hand supervising all work done by the students.

You should not begin a teeth whitening regiment until you are around the age of 16 to 18. Until this time a child’s gums are incredibly sensitive. Therefore, the caustic and abrasive products that are used to clean teeth can cause a child’s mouth to enter a world of pain.

If you are in a hurry to get a whiter smile, a quick visit to your dentist can help you. Whitening your teeth is not always an easy cosmetic process. Engaging in a whitening program without your dentist’s advice can produce ineffective results or even cause real damage to your teeth. It’s better to err on the side of caution, and make an appointment to see your dentist about starting a teeth whitening regimen.

As stated before, our teeth are important. Our teeth allow us to eat food and give us a great smile. Our teeth become dull and stained over time from eating food and drinking beverages, making them no longer white. By using the tips on teeth whitening from the article above, you can make your teeth white again.

Improve Your Smile With These Teeth Whitening Tips was originally published on Spring