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.

If you have tried the types of whitening strips that you have to wear for an extensive amount of time and they cause irritation, try those that you wear for a shorter time. Although the half hour whitening strips have to be applied for a longer time period, two weeks or so, gums won’t be as sensitive.

If you want to whiten your teeth naturally, then look no further that your box of baking soda. This is one of the most proven home remedies. Make a paste with baking soda and water and brush your teeth using this paste, and then rinse. When done consistently, you will soon have gleaming white teeth.

Listerine teeth whitening mouthwash rinse is a great product to help you whiten your teeth. Within the first couple of weeks of usage you can easily see the difference in your teeth. Make sure to use twice a day- once in the morning and once at night. Listerine is strong in killing bad breath and whitens your teeth at the same time.

To have a white smile, make sure you avoid drinking water or using toothpastes that contain fluoride. It has been reported that fluoride may aid in discoloring and permanently staining your teeth. Many countries have actually banned fluoride from their drinking water due to this very reason. To stay on the safe side, avoid fluoride at all costs for a healthy and white smile.

Save your orange peel and have a teeth whitening session. The inside of the orange peel has citric acid and can help to remove stains and whiten teeth. Either rub it directly on your teeth or get some dried peel, organically grown and some ground up bay leaves to create a paste that you can brush on. Remember to brush after your session to remove any acid that may harm the enamel over time.

Ask your dentist about the different teeth whitening options available to you. Some dentists may recommend a procedure that they provide in their office. Some may refer you to a certain product that you can find at your local pharmacy. Some may simply suggest that you brush your teeth more often.

Avoid drinking coffee, tea, cola, and wine unless you are drinking water with them or immediately afterward. These dark liquids have been shown to permanently stain and discolor teeth. Rinsing your mouth with water afterward can reduce these effects, as can brushing your teeth after your morning coffee, as it removes the staining chemicals from your mouth.

If you are a smoker, you are going to have a constant battle trying to keep your teeth white. If you are that worried about a white smile, you are going to need to quit or at least cut down in the amount that you are smoking. It will be a never ending battle if you continue to smoke heavily.

To whiten your teeth while you eat, use orange peels! Citrus fruits have great natural whitening properties. Just take the peel from the orange and rub it across your teeth after you finish eating. Let it sit for a few minutes, and then brush your teeth like you normally would. You should see the results right away.

You can make your own whitening toothpaste for occasional use with peroxide and baking soda. Put the mixture on your toothbrush’s bristles and spend about five to ten minutes brushing your teeth. Do not brush your teeth harshly, it will have a hand in irritating your gums.

The chemicals that are used to help whiten your teeth can cause your gums and other soft tissues in your mouth to become irritated. These caustic chemicals can make your mouth feel like it is in a whole world of hurt. Make sure you talk to your doctor about any problems that you experience.

A natural way to help whiten your teeth is to eat fruits and vegetables that are fibrous in texture. These types of foods act as a natural cleanser, scrubbing the teeth while you are eating them. Some great choices for fibrous fruits and vegetables are apples, cucumber, carrots and broccoli.

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.

No-Nonsense Tips That Will Give You A Whiter Smile was originally published on Spring