Whitening Your Teeth: Important Things You Should Know
Do you yearn for whiter teeth? You might feel like no matter how many times you brush your teeth, they're not getting as white as you want them to be. There's a reason so many people have the desire to whiten their teeth. Studies show people who have whiter teeth are often considered more attractive than those with discolored teeth. Whitening the teeth is something to consider if you'd like to boost your confidence and have teeth that look healthier, but it's important for you to understand how to achieve and maintain that brighter smile in the first place.
Be Cautious With the Baking Soda
Some people work on whitening their teeth at home with the use of baking soda. It's cheap and it's somewhat effective at removing stains. However, it's not a miracle product, and it should be used sparingly. If you're using baking soda on top of your toothpaste each time you brush, and you're brushing the teeth at a fast pace, you could cause some damage to your enamel. If some of the enamel is worn down, there's no way to get it back. You'd have to seek out additional treatments at the dental office just to get some help with the damage.
Rather than putting baking soda on top of your traditional toothpaste, it may be safer for you to purchase toothpaste that already contains baking soda. It will still be effective enough to help remove some of that discoloration, but you wouldn't have to worry about destroying your enamel due to using something that's so abrasive. There are many leading toothpaste brands that offer options with a bit of baking soda for your convenience.
Be Mindful of What You Eat and Drink
Most of the things you put in your mouth can cause discoloration of the teeth. For example, if you're an avid coffee drinker, you should know that the beverage can cause unwanted stains to appear. Although coffee is a common culprit of discoloration because so many people drink it in the morning to wake themselves up for the day, other beverages and foods can cause staining too, such as mustard, red wine, ketchup, and even different types of tea.
If you want whiter teeth, you should limit your intake of the foods and beverages that cause excessive staining. It may be difficult to make such a drastic switch at first, but water is the best beverage of choice. It will hydrate your body to keep you naturally energized without staining your teeth.
Go For Professional Whitening Treatment
If you're having a difficult time getting your teeth to look whiter, professional treatment may be the best solution. There are a lot of whitening products on the market, some of which are more effective than others. However, many of these products take time to work. If you're the kind of person who is often busy, sticking with a routine of trying to wear whitening trays or strips at certain times of the day may not be feasible. There's a chance you'll forget to do the treatment sometimes simply because your schedule is so busy.
Talk to a dentist about the teeth whitening treatments offered in the office. Laser whitening is one of many methods that may be used on patients. This method of whitening is often favored by patients because it provides instant results, but other effective methods may be used as well. You'll need to talk about the options you have with the dentist, compare the cost, and then decide on the treatment you'd like to get.
Having a white smile is something most people yearn for simply because it can easily give them a confidence boost. If you'd feel more confident with whiter teeth, you may want to figure out what you should do to get the beautiful color you desire. Professional treatment in the dental office is the most effective way to whiten the teeth, but there are things you can do at home to prevent new stains from forming, too.