Tooth Whitening: For Pearly Whites That Aren't Pearly Enough

Have you been hiding your teeth when having your picture taken because your pearly whites are not pearly enough? Have you ever wanted to have a prize-winning smile most celebrities have? Have you been too embarrassed to show your picture because of your smile?

If you answered "Yes" to any of the questions, then this article is for you. Yes, you! Having whiter teeth is not impossible. Read on to find out.

There are a number of ways that can whiten your teeth and most of these are within everyone's budget. Tooth-whitening procedures can be done at home or at your dentist's clinic.

A Note of Caution

Before starting any treatment of tooth whitening, you should take the following measures to make sure that any particular method you employ will be beneficial or not.

You must take the following into consideration.

Age. Professional tooth whitening procedures are not recommended for children below 13 years old. Children's teeth are very sensitive and they are still developing. Tooth-whitening solutions may not be beneficial as they may harm the young tissues of the gums and may be abrasive to the teeth.

Tooth-colored fillings. After a tooth-whitening treatment, these fillings will stand out against your bleached teeth, thus making the fillings obvious.

Of course, there are other tooth-whitening methods you can use if you fall into any of the above-mentioned precautionary categories.

Regular Visits to the Dentist

See your dentist regularly for cleaning. Regular dental cleaning will help reduce (or to some extent, remove) or prevent food and drink stains.

Whitening Toothpaste and Gels

This is the easiest tooth-whitening method. However, this doesn't provide the best remedy. Whitening toothpaste reduces the stain on the teeth, not completely whiten it. Children below 13 years may use whitening toothpaste.

Choose your whitening toothpaste wisely. Look for the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval, usually printed on the box or on the toothpaste container itself.

You should take great care when purchasing whitening toothpaste. Some products have not been tested and approved by the ADA and these may bee too abrasive and harm your teeth in the long run.

Home Remedies

Tooth whitening can also be done at home and at a very inexpensive cost, too! All it takes is a trip to your kitchen and medicine cabinet. Consider the following recipes:

Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide

- 3 parts Hydrogen Peroxide (available at the nearest drugstore)
- 2 parts Baking Soda (available at the nearest grocery or convenient store)
- a drop of toothpaste (optional)

Mix the ingredients. The drop of toothpaste is only optional. It helps improve the taste of the mixture.

Brush your teeth using the mixture. Leave it on your teeth for two minutes. No more, no less.

This procedure can be done once a week, at most. If you do this too frequently, you may risk harm on your teeth. Remember, the Hydrogen Peroxide is still a chemical, so use the mixture sparingly.

Also, if you have canker sores, gingivitis, or other dental conditions, it would be better if you consult with your dentist before using the mixture.

Lemon Juice and Salt

- 1 part lemon juice
- 1 part salt

Mix the lemon juice and the salt and rub against the teeth to whiten yellowish spots.

Professional Tooth Whitening

If you really want to have those amazing pearly whites with the help of a dental professional, an in-office tooth-whitening procedure may be done. Consult and schedule an appointment with your dentist. Dentists use a special bleaching agent and use an oral appliance that will activate the solution. This tooth-whitening method may last from 30 to 60 minutes. Sometimes, the procedure may also last for several visits or treatments.

This option may be a little expensive, but it is very effective.

Veneers

Veneers are shell-like objects that are bonded on the tooth. They serve two purposes - to restructure the tooth as well as hide imperfections or whiten it. Veneers are effective, but they are very expensive, too.

An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure

If you already have a bright smile, take the necessary precautions to remain stain-free. Always remember to brush and floss your teeth to prevent the formation of new stains. Also, refrain from eating or drinking certain foods that can stain your teeth. Among these are coffee and alcohol. Tobacco can also stain the teeth. So, if possible, refrain from smoking tobacco and cigarettes.

Those amazing pearly whites are not just for actors, models and celebrities. The average Joe could have them, too. Try these tooth-whitening methods and show off those pearly whites!

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