A bright smile leaves a lasting first impression, and with good first impressions come self-confidence. A study by the Academy of American Cosmetic Dentistry found that around 45% of Americans see the smile as our most attractive feature.

On almost every page of every glossy magazine and every television advertisement, we see beautiful ice-white smiles. We know they’re attractive, but are they obtainable?

The good news is, yes, they are. If you’re looking for a beautiful bright smile to show off to the world then these six teeth whitening tips are for you.  

1. Avoid Certain Foods and Drinks

As the saying goes, the best cure is prevention. If you want to have a bright smile, then the best thing you can do is avoid the things that are likely to stain your teeth.

As a general rule of thumb, if a food or drink contains color then it can stain your teeth. Some of the most common foods for staining teeth include:

• Tea and coffee
• Dark-colored fruit juices
• Cola
• Curry
• Soy sauce 
• Balsamic vinegar
• Beetroot
• Berries
• Tomato-based sauces.

All of these foods contain deep colors or tannins that can lead to teeth staining. If the idea of giving up wine or coffee sounds like the end of the world, then don’t panic. Using a straw to drink your favorite beverage means that it will bypass the teeth!

If you’re a smoker and looking for a bright smile then you might need to reconsider your priorities. Studies have shown that almost one-third of smokers have moderate to severe tooth discoloration. 

2. Reduce Your Sugar Intake

Sugar doesn’t necessarily stain your teeth like the food and drinks above, but it does make your teeth much more susceptible to staining. When you consume sugary food or drinks, the bacteria in your mouth consumes them too. When they digest sugar, they produce acid.

It is this acid that causes tooth decay and wears down tooth enamel making teeth easier to stain. If you have a sweet tooth and giving up sugar altogether is out of the question, then be sure to drink a glass of water after any sugary treats.

3. Brush up on Your Dental Hygiene

Practicing good oral hygiene is key to keeping your teeth bright. Brushing your teeth twice a day with whitening toothpaste can help to reduce any staining. 

It’s also important to floss regularly to avoid the build-up of any plaque between teeth. If plaque is left, then it will break down the tooth enamel over time making your teeth more susceptible to stains

Use a mouthwash after you brush your teeth to help kill any bacteria in the mouth that can cause plaque.

Getting into the habit of brushing your teeth after every meal is a great way to help keep your teeth stain-free. 

4. Try Oil Pulling

Oil pulling is a great way to rid your mouth of the bacteria that leads to plaque build-up. You can use any oil for oil pulling, but coconut or olive oil is the most commonly used.

Simply put one tablespoon of the oil in your mouth and swill it around for 15-20 minutes. The oil dissolves the bacteria inside your mouth. Once you’re done, spit the oil into a trash can and brush your teeth like you normally would.

To see the benefits of oil pulling, you should aim to do it 4-5 times a week. You should begin to see noticeably whiter teeth after about 2 weeks.

5. Consider Cosmetic Dentistry

If you’re looking for a perfect smile, then the best way to achieve this is cosmetic dentistry. Your dentist can assess the condition of your teeth and recommend the best teeth whitening treatment for you.

There are several different available procedures for whitening teeth. If you’re confused about whether laser teeth whitening or maybe porcelain veneers are the right choice for you, then check out this cosmetic dentistry.

Cosmetic teeth whitening can be expensive, but it is more likely to be effective than doing it yourself. Tooth whitening can cost anything between $400-$1,500 depending on your whitening needs and the price of your dentist.  

6. Buy At-Home Teeth Whitening Products

DIY teeth whitening has exploded over the last few years. With so many different products on the market, it can be difficult to find the best teeth whitening products for home use.

There are three main different types of tooth whitening products that you can use at home:

• Whitening toothpaste
• Whitening strips and trays
• Whitening light devices

Whitening Toothpaste

Whitening toothpaste is the cheapest option for whitening your teeth. Whitening toothpaste often contains a mild abrasive to gently polish your teeth and help to remove surface stains.

Most toothpaste contains silica or sodium bicarbonate to essentially scrape the stains from your teeth as you brush. However, this will only reduce the appearance of stains and not necessarily make your teeth whiter.

If you’re looking for brighter teeth then you’ll need a toothpaste that contains hydrogen peroxide. Using these kinds of toothpaste over time will gradually bleach your teeth giving them a whiter appearance.

Whitening Strips and Trays

Whitening strips and trays are two different methods of applying hydrogen peroxide directly to your teeth. You apply the strips or trays for anywhere between 5 and 45 minutes depending on the treatment.

It’s important to adhere to the recommended timings as overexposure to hydrogen peroxide can damage the teeth and increase tooth sensitivity. 

Whitening Light Devices 

Whitening light devices use a gel that you put on your teeth and then shine a blue LED light on them. The LED light increases the penetration of the whitening gel and accelerates the visible results. For as little as ten minutes a day most teeth whitening light devices can offer results in just a week.

Let Your Pearly Whites Shine With These Teeth Whitening Tips

If you’ve been trying to get a nice bright smile, then these six teeth whitening tips will help you to seal the deal. One of the best ways to keep your teeth bright is to follow a good oral hygiene routine.

Avoid sugars, brush twice a day, and visit your dentist regularly. If you’re going to start using whitening products that it’s important to consult with your dentists first as they can help recommend the best products for you. Learn more about what you can do to get a brighter smile by consulting oral solutions in Ballwin mo.

For more health and lifestyle tips be sure to take a look at the rest of our articles.