If you’re one of the thousands of people who have stained, yellow teeth and want to do something about it, you’ll be glad to learn that teeth whitening is easy, fast, and painless. This article contains many simple tips that will help you avoid common mistakes and make teeth whitening very easy for you.

If you are about to have a root canal ask about internal bleaching. When the dentist drills the hole in your tooth it is cleaned and then filled with a bleaching agent. The bleach is kept in your teeth for a few days and then after desired results have been reached the solution is taken out.

Eating a diet with plenty of whole and raw foods is great for your teeth. Vegetables are great for helping clean your teeth. They also do not contain harsh processed ingredients that may stick to your teeth and cause unwanted tooth decay and discolorations.

Use a tooth-whitening toothpaste, but don’t expect miracles on badly discolored teeth. Tooth whitening toothpaste does not bleach teeth, so it can’t remove existing stains. But it does help remove much of the plaque on your teeth, and can remove staining chemicals before they have a chance to discolor those pearly whites.

Be sure that the teeth whitening trays fit your mouth correctly. If they do not fit well there is a good chance that they are going to cause you problems with your gums. If you notice that your gums are more sensitive or in any pain, stop using the product and see your dentist.

When using a teeth whitening kit be sure to follow the directions exactly as they are written. Do not think that if you leave it on longer that you are going to see better results. It can irritate your gums and could lead to some really serious problems down the road. The directions are there to be followed.

Once your teeth have been whitened, you need to brush after each and every meal. Bacteria grows on your teeth after eating. Bacteria can soften your teeth, which can make them more prone to damage and deterioration.

Most smokers already know that smoking leaves their teeth dull looking and discolored. Smokers will always have a much harder time in whitening their teeth than non-smokers. Stopping smoking will improve the color of your teeth drastically. Not to mention, not smoking is just better for your health.

If you are using a peroxide treatment to keep up your beautiful smile, then you need to make sure that you do not over do it. These treatments should be applied once every 6 to 8 months. Any more than this can cause damage to your gums and your teeth.

When going with home whitening kits, make sure that they have the proper concentration of peroxide to remove stains on your teeth. Generally you want to look for concentrations of at least 10 percent peroxide. Any higher can be destructive to your enamel and any lower may not be strong enough to make a difference.

Eat natural “brushing” food. The most common natural “toothbrush” that you can eat is an apple. The texture helps to eliminate stains on your teeth. Other foods that can help scrub your teeth are veggies like celery and raw carrots and snacks like popcorn. Eat them at the end of your meal if you cannot brush at that time.

Don’t use mouthwash anymore. If you notice that your teeth are not as white as they used to be, it is time to put the mouthwash away. Mouthwash is often high in alcohol, dyes and other chemicals. These chemicals can cause stains and discoloration.

Strange, but true, wood ash will help whiten your teeth. Wood ash contains a compound that will bleach your teeth called potassium hydroxide. The tiny crystals help to scrape off plague in hard to reach places and will scrub your teeth clean. To use it you can mix it with toothpaste or put it directly on your toothbrush.

If you are using a whitening tray to make your teeth whiter, make sure that the tray fits your mouth perfectly. If not, it could make the treatment ineffective or badly irritate your gums. If this were to happen to you, be sure that you visit your dentist as soon as possible.

To obtain the best results when whitening your teeth at home, use one of the kits that contain whitening strips. These have been shown to provide the best results, lightening the color of the teeth by several shades. If you do not obtain the desired results after completing one course of treatment, repeat with a new kit.

If you want to make your teeth white, it is important to know how to properly brush your teeth. Scrubbing too hard and brushing too fast can wear away the enamel of your teeth. Instead, go in slower, circular motions and make sure you are spending enough time on each teeth.

Do not drink water that has fluoride added to it. Fluoride has been identified as one of the things that can cause your teeth to turn yellow. Simply staying away from this chemical will lead to a whiter smile, and it may also benefit your health. Some countries will not allow fluoride in drinking water because it has been linked to a variety of diseases.

Citrus fruits can have a negative impact on the quality and color of your teeth. It is also important to stay away from the juice of these fruits. The acids contained are terrible for the outer layer of your teeth and weaken their defenses. You also want to avoid eating these foods before you lay down at night, because they make you more likely to suffer from acid reflux, which can also impact the appearance of your smile.

People who successfully whiten their teeth can’t stress enough how much better they feel about themselves and how much their self-confidence has increased. You shouldn’t let your teeth get in the way of enjoying your life. Apply these easy tips and methods to achieve great results with the least amount of time and effort.