It is important to keep your teeth strong, but another aspect of teeth is their color. It may be more for aesthetic purposes, but having whiter teeth can give you more self confidence and self esteem. Whiten your teeth by following some key steps that involve your eating habits and some simple procedures.
Step 1
Limit your intake of certain foods and beverages that cause staining. Some of these include berries, soy sauce, curry, tomato sauce, balsamic vinegar, coffee, tea, soda and fruit juices.
Step 2
Avoid tobacco products. Tobacco products are already known for the damage they can do to your lungs, heart, brain and throat, but they can also stain your teeth. If you want a whiter smile, leave these products behind the counter at your local convenient mart.
Step 3
Get a whitening treatment. One type of whitening, called "Zoom,"is done at the dentist's office. Hydrogen peroxide is applied to the teeth then hit with a low heat light beam. Oxygen enters your teeth and bleaches the enamel as the peroxide is being broken down making your teeth whiter. This type of tooth whitening can last for a year or even longer (see Resources).
Step 4
Get a home bleaching kit. For this procedure, you place a tooth whitening substance into a mouthpiece and wear it overnight or for several hours during the day. You follow this process for about a week and your teeth slowly become whiter.
Step 5
Use a powerful toothpaste. There are several toothpastes on the market that can help whiten your teeth. They usually have powerful ingredients in them like baking soda or peroxide. These are to be used two to three times a day.
Step 6
Get a procedure done. Microabrasion is a procedure also done by your dentist where small particles of pumice and hydrochloric acid are applied to the teeth to take away a small part of the enamel. Stains are then removed and your teeth become whiter.
Step 7
See a cosmetic dentist for veneers. Porcelain veneers are tooth-like shells that get applied over the teeth to cover uneven spots and give them a whiter appearance. To get this procedure done, find a cosmetic dentist. They have a higher level of training and expertise in this department than regular dentists.
