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’re a pregnant or lactating mother, you should not undergo any teeth whitening procedure. It can have many negative effects on the baby. Before having your teeth whitened, you should consult with your dentist and let them know up front if you’re pregnant or lactating. They’ll be able to say for sure whether it’s a danger to the baby or not.

Surprisingly, baking soda is almost as effective as most long term teeth whiteners and is much cheaper. Mix about two table spoons of soda to one table spoon of water to form a paste, then, brush your teeth with this paste. If you do not like the taste, substitute a mouthwash for the water.

Sip water when drinking sodas, dark wines, tea, or coffee. Consuming these drinks on a daily basis can quickly cause a buildup of stains. Rinsing your mouth out with water while drinking the staining products can help to limit the amount of staining that takes place. Brushing after drinking these beverages will also help with stain prevention.

Find a teeth whitening program that fits into your life and schedule. Some require long periods of time with a gel or other device on your teeth. If you have a busy schedule with little down time, this may not work for you. Other programs require several treatments in the course of a day. Find one that works for you.

Be sure to choose a tooth whitening product carefully. Find one that has a mid-range bleaching agent in it. If you are not getting the results that you want but are tolerating it well, you can then step up to the next level of bleaching agent in it. Make sure that it has the ADA seal on it.

Do not start a home teeth whitening treatment without going to the dentist to have an exam done. You do not want to use any of these treatments if you have untreated cavities in your mouth. The same goes for gum disease. These things should be treated prior to any treatment.

Read as many reviews about whitening products as you can before buying one. If you take the time to research the products before you spend your money on them, you are sure to find a quality product a lot quicker and without spending as much money.

When you use a whitening product, it is important that you do not over do it. This can cause that natural enamel of your teeth to erode. If this happens, your teeth will become very sensitive and can become incredibly damaged. Remember that the health of your teeth should come before their appearance.

Bleaching your teeth too often can make teeth become more porous and it can damage your enamel. It can also contribute to tooth sensitivity, and make your teeth even more susceptible to stains.

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.

Make sure to see your dentist about the choices available to you if you are uncomfortable about stains and discolorations on your teeth. Some feel that it’s wasteful to spend money on teeth whitening, but if it is affecting the quality of your life, whitening is worth the expense so you can feel good about yourself again.

Use different lip color to make your smile appear whiter. Try switching to gloss only or lipsticks with a blue base to them. Bluish tinted lip colors make your teeth look whiter. Stay away from matte lipsticks since they can make teeth look dingy.

Avoid using toothpaste and drinking water that has been treated with fluoride. Although the United States still allows it, many other countries have actually banned treating drinking water with fluoride due to the unknown potential hazards it can cause. Recent studies have shown that fluoride can actually discolor or stain your teeth.

Use a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water to make a rinse to whiten your teeth. Not only does hydrogen peroxide kill germs, it also acts as a whitening agent. Many companies make a “whitening” mouthwash with water, hydrogen peroxide and mint flavor. Save money by making your own rinse.

Try to change your toothbrush or the head of your electric toothbrush, every two to three months, for a whiter smile. If you do not, the bacteria that is in your mouth collects on the brush and then you keep distributing that back into your mouth, every time you use it.

To get a whiter smile, try gargling with apple cider vinegar. Try doing this every morning before you brush your teeth. The vinegar acts as a stain remover, but it also helps kill harmful bacteria and is a natural whitener. It can even get right in between gums and teeth to remove bacteria and stains.

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.