A brighter, whiter smile is what half of America is searching for. Some have found it, some have not. The key is not in these high dollar teeth whitening treatments that you can buy at the store; the key is in how you take care of your teeth by what you eat, drink, and if you properly clean them. Below are some tips on what to avoid and what to take up when trying to whiten your teeth.

Practice preventative maintenance on your teeth by using a gum massager. You want to target the area under the gum flap where the plaque begins to build up. Plaque is a major contributor to discolored teeth. When the plaque begins to build on your teeth, stains can adhere to the surface easier.

Hydrogen peroxide is another alternative that you can use to brush your teeth. The peroxide oxidizes your teeth upon contact and can remove states. Most hydrogen peroxide you buy in stores will already be diluted, but you can dilute further, by mixing 2 tablespoons of water to every tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide. If you do not like the taste of the peroxide, substitute a sweet tasting mouthwash for the water.

Follow a healthy diet consisting of raw fruits and vegetables. The more processed foods you eat, the more likely you are to end up with cavities and discoloration. You can keep your teeth white and healthy by eliminating those foods from your diet. You should also avoid snacking all the time if you want a nice smile.

Don’t use products with fluoride in them such as drinking water or toothpaste. Fluoride is known to cause stains on your teeth and it should be avoided at all costs if you are trying to keep your teeth white. Check the labels on your toothpaste before you buy it to make sure it doesn’t have fluoride.

Drinking through a straw is going to help you keep your teeth looking whiter longer. It will reduce the time that the drink has to settle on your teeth and cause stains. The straw will carry the drink past your teeth and closer to your throat keeping it from getting to your teeth.

To keep your teeth white, be sure to use a straw when you are drinking beverages with high levels of acidity. The acidity in beverages, like sodas or sports drinks, can affect the color of your teeth, but the straw acts as a barrier. This will not change the color of your teeth overnight and if your teeth are already stained it will not take off the stain. It will help to prevent more discoloration.

After you have your teeth whitened, you need to brush after every meal. The food left on your teeth can cause the growth of bacteria. As your teeth are weakened after the teeth whitening, the bacteria could cause a large amount of damage if it is left to build up on your teeth.

An important, though very unpopular, tip to whiten your teeth is to cut down on, or even stop, the drinking of sodas, coffees and teas. Yes, they are some of the most popular beverages in the world, but they are also some of the biggest culprits when it comes to stains on teeth! And for those that are wondering, iced tea is still tea and just as guilty when it comes to teeth discoloration.

Use the right shade of lipstick and lip gloss to brighten your teeth. If your teeth are yellowing or off white, go with nudes and pinks with blue undertones. If you have graying teeth, a cool tone with a brown base will do the trick in making your teeth pop.

Teeth that were recently whitened will absorb color from foods very easily. You want to try not to eat or drink a lot of things with strong colors like juices and sodas for a little while after having your teeth whitened. Or you may find that instead of pearly white teeth, you now have blood red teeth.

To whiten your teeth naturally, use dried bay leaves and orange peels. Simply grind the dried leaves and peels together and use a damp toothbrush to brush the mixture onto your teeth. The combination will whiten your teeth without the hassle of trips to the dentist, which can be time consuming and costly.

As previously stated, white teeth are in high demand by most of America. There are costly ways to go about whitening your teeth, then there are smart ways. Of course, the smart ways are best. The costly ways may be easier, but could hurt your teeth in the long run, not to mention your bank account. If you follow the aforementioned teeth-whitening tips, then you should be well on your way to achieving those beautiful pearly whites you have always dreamed of.

Helpful Advice And Tips For Whitening Teeth was originally published on Spring