Everyone knows that the way in which to achieve brighter, whiter teeth is with a teeth whitening treatment from your dentist. You sit in the chair while your dentist applies the whitening gel, then you wait for it to take effect. The entire experience is comfortable and harmless.
What you may not have known is that there are many outside influences for how stained or white your teeth are. Read on to learn some interesting teeth whitening tips that you may not have heard before.
Your Tongue Has More of An Impact Than You Think
You use your tongue to taste food, chew, swallow, and speak, but did you know that your tongue relates to your teeth’s whiteness too? Everyone knows that brushing your tongue can prevent bad breath, but it can also get rid of trapped bacteria. If you don’t brush your tongue, that bacteria can move onto your teeth and darken your enamel.
Baking Soda is Not the Miracle Product You Might Think
Many people swear by baking soda for everything. It’s a staple for cleaning, the kids’ volcano school science project, and apparently, your dental help. In reality, baking soda can be harmful and isn’t advised for teeth whitening. Consistent use of baking soda can wear away your enamel and damage your teeth structure.
You Have to Be Careful with Citrus
There are very few things as refreshing as an orange as a snack, but be wary of your teeth. Acid can wear away at your enamel, which can put your teeth at risk of staining. If you are going to eat an orange, lemon, lime, or other citrus fruit, rinse your mouth out with water once you’re finished. You can then protect your teeth enamel and potentially reduce the risk of staining as a result.
Whitening Strips Aren’t the Best
Whitening strips are a relatively new teeth whitening product that has taken the market by storm. While they look easy enough to use, they don’t produce the best results – and nowhere near what you can expect from in-chair whitening treatment.
Teeth whitening strips can leave an uneven finish. Your teeth will still have stains, but they will be dotty and even more noticeable than they were before. If you are not going to go down the dentist teeth whitening route, then consider take-home kits or even whitening toothpaste instead.
The internet can be a wonderful place to find out new things, but it can also provide you with mistruths and misinformation. If you require any teeth whitening advice or treatment, then get it right from the horse’s mouth. Your dentist is always going to be the best source of knowledge.