How to Whiten Teeth for a Beautiful Smile

It's possible for everyone to achieve a dazzling smile with today's advancements in dental care and appearance products. Teeth can easily be cleaned, bleached, or restored to a perfect state with over-the-counter products or natural foods that naturally bleach the teeth. Having professional dental treatments can also produce the best-looking teeth possible.

As we age, our teeth naturally darken. In addition, the foods and beverages we consume can cause staining and color discoloration of our teeth. Using tobacco products can also stain teeth. Some medications can darken teeth when taken inside the body, such as the antibiotic tetracycline. Teeth whitening methods can restore teeth' natural color and lightening can even make them appear lighter than natural-colored teeth.

There are three methods for whitening teeth that are considered natural. These approaches include eating apples, carrots, and cherries, which increase saliva production and naturally clean the teeth. Alternatively, over-the-counter products with instructions can be used to whiten teeth. Finally, professional whitening treatments can be performed in a dentist's office. Carrots, apples, and Celery are good for removing stains from the teeth due to their malic acid content. Apples naturally bleach teeth and Strawberries contain a chemical that erodes enamel. Using baking soda and water paste helps remove stains in the dental space by occasionally brushing with these abrasive agents.

Toothpaste and other whitening products can be purchased at any local store, including pharmacies and discount retailers. Some popular choices for over-the-counter teeth whiteners include gel pens, strips, and chewing gum. The American Dental Association provides a list of approved over-the-counter whitening products that anyone can use. Several methods for whitening teeth used at-home dentistry produce significant color changes. Some of these methods use a bleaching agent that causes peroxide to penetrate the enamel and make our teeth lighter in color. These methods typically last approximately 14 days, during which our teeth shift from one color to three.

Professional whitening procedures performed by a dentist produce the greatest and most dramatic results but are also the most expensive. These treatments may include intense bleaching that uses light energy to speed up the whitening process. This can whiten teeth three to eight shades. Whether you whiten yourself using products you can use at home or have your dentist treat you in the office, it's a good idea to have a dental exam first so your dentist can monitor your whitening process.