A good portion of the population worry that their teeth aren’t white enough. A bright smile is one of the most attractive features a person can have, so it’s no wonder everyone wants one. The good news is, you don’t have to spend a great deal of money on your journey to whiter teeth. Here are several strategies you can use to brighten your smile in no time.
1. Use Whitening Products
The health and beauty department at your local store is full of dental products designed to whiten and brighten your teeth. From the best teeth whitening pastes, rinses, and mouthwashes money can buy to electric toothbrushes and water picks, a majority of these products work well to get those pearly whites gleaming. Just be sure to use them as directed to see the best results.
2. Homemade Teeth Whitening
If paying for those over-the-counter products seems a bit expensive, you can get similar results using products you probably already have at home. Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide, when combined, creates a powerful tooth whitening agent that works.
Simply use one part peroxide to two parts baking soda to make a paste. Put the paste on your toothbrush and brush as normal. The peroxide fights stains while the baking soda scrubs and brightens your teeth.
3. Brush Right and Brush Often
While whitening toothpaste is designed to whiten your teeth, they can’t do so if you aren’t using them frequently. Brush at least twice a day and spend at least two minutes brushing per session. Use a soft-headed toothbrush and a gentle scrubbing motion to avoid damaging your teeth’s enamel and your gums.
4. Think about Upgrading to an Electric Toothbrush
Your manual toothbrush probably does a fine job but upgrading to an electric model can up your teeth whitening game. Electric toothbrushes not only remove more plaque than their manual counterparts, but many also come with timers that help you brush longer than you might otherwise.
Electric toothbrushes come in a variety of styles. Depending on what you’re looking for, you can spend upwards of $200 on a professional model. If that seems a bit extravagant for your wallet, however, you can always opt for one of the $6 battery-powered toothbrushes from your local drugstore. Even this cheaper upgrade will make a difference. A toothbrush my family likes is the Oral B line. Be sure to check out the Oral B 6000 review to see if it may be a good fit for you.
5. Use a Whitening Mouthwash after Brushing
Using a fluoride-packed whitening mouthwash after brushing helps swish away any loose food or plaque left behind. Really swish around the mouthwash for several minutes to ensure the fluoride reaches every nook and cranny. Avoid drinking anything for a good hour after using your mouthwash, however, as the fluoride needs time to soak into any weakened tooth surfaces.
Whitening mouthwashes do a decent job of brightening your smile – they just need time to work. It may take as many as three months of swishing twice a day every day to see any results. With continued use, and in combination with other teeth whitening products, your teeth will stay nice and bright.
A white, bright smile is something everyone notices, so it’s no surprise that everyone wants one. You can achieve a brighter smile yourself by adopting the practices listed above. Remember to brush often, use whitening products religiously, and switch to an electric toothbrush to see just how white your pearly whites can be.
About Jammie Morey
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