Teeth whitening is classified by most people as a troublesome topic due to the fact that stained or yellow teeth can be quite embarrassing. What other options are available to you if you can not afford to get your teeth professionally whitened? The following tips can help you to learn what options are available to you when it comes to getting the white smile you crave.

You should keep in mind that teeth whitening only works for your real, natural teeth. It will not work on any crowns, veneers, implants, or fillings you have in your mouth. So if you have a lot of these, it may not be worth the expense of trying to whiten your teeth.

Strawberries are a great way to whiten teeth. The chemical composition of strawberries naturally whitens your teeth without the use of chemical whiteners. You can utilize the strawberry in one of two ways; cut it into two and rub over the teeth while indulging in your favorite at home activity, or turn the strawberry into a mashed paste and leave this to sit on your teeth for five minutes.

Determine why your teeth are discolored before starting any whitening treatment. A trip to your dentist should answer this question. Knowing the cause of your discolored teeth will give you the best treatment options for your specific problems and therefore you will also get the best results too.

Avoid drinking coffee, tea, cola, and wine unless you are drinking water with them or immediately afterward. These dark liquids have been shown to permanently stain and discolor teeth. Rinsing your mouth with water afterward can reduce these effects, as can brushing your teeth after your morning coffee, as it removes the staining chemicals from your mouth.

Watch for tooth sensitivity when using tooth whitening products. Many of these products can irritate the gums or cause your teeth to become unusually sensitive to cold. If you notice these effects becoming troublesome, stop using the product. You may not tolerate it well, and it could even be damaging your teeth.

See your doctor before taking any steps toward whitening your teeth with store-bought products. It might be that you simply need a professional cleaning. Your dentist can tell you if your gums are healthy. If you have any inflammation it is wise to wait on the whitening treatment until your gums are in better condition.

To get better looking teeth through your diet, eat more raw foods. Chewing raw foods can be great for your teeth, and avoiding processed foods means you’ll develop less plaque. While raw foods aren’t a good way to get quick teeth whitening results, eating them regularly will make your teeth sparkle over time.

Ask your dentist about home whitening kits. Some kits may hurt your teeth or gums, and your dentist should be aware of which ones are the safest and most effective to use. Some products are better than others are, and a good dentist will know which ones you should use.

Avoid teeth whitening if you are pregnant or nursing. The chemicals used for the whitening process may be safe to put in your mouth, but they could be potentially harmful to your little one. Consult with your physician and your dentist before you attempt any process during your pregnancy and nursing periods.

The first line of defense against any type of discoloring problem is a dental regimen that includes a whitening toothpaste as well as a mouthwash to help with this. While these things alone won’t be able to completely whiten your teeth they will be a very good start to give you a good base.

Avoid wearing shirts that are bright white if you want to hide a less than perfect smile. The white shade will only make any stains on your teeth even more obvious. Choose off white or cream colors that will help avoid your stains looking worse. Smile big in the morning after you’ve gotten dressed to see if your outfit is hurting you.

Ask your dentist if he can give you a gel to use at home to whiten teeth. The dentist will give you a mouthpiece that is filled with gel, so you should wear it each night for a few hours for approximately two or three weeks. This method can whiten your teeth all the way up to eight shades.

If you are going to the dentist to have bleaching treatments, be sure not to overdo it. People get excited at the results they see, so they think their teeth will get even whiter if they continuously get them bleached. Unfortunately, the only result of this are teeth that turn blue!

Do not expect any kind of teeth whitening methods to work the first time, even bleaching them. Many people think that it only takes one time to get their teeth sparkly white and give up when the one time does not work. Usually, treatments require a follow-up every few months.

Brush and floss at least a twice a day. This will help to prevent a buildup of plaque, which can discolor your teeth. It is also a good idea to carry floss with you, that way you can floss anytime after you eat. Paying special attention to your teeth will help to prevent staining.

It should be clear by now that there are many things you can do to brighten your smile. Teeth whitening doesn’t have to be expensive and labor intensive and these tips may help. No matter which teeth whitening method you choose, it is imperative that you make dental hygiene your top priority, if you want the whitening results to last.