Teeth Whitening Tips

Teeth whitening on a budget

White teeth is a desire for everyone. We all want to have sparkling pearly whites when we smile. So how can you achieve teeth whitening on a budget?

Not everyone can afford professional whitening but what you can do it follow some simple at home tips to ensure whiter teeth in due time.

Update your toothbrush to keep your teeth white

You should be getting a new toothbrush (or a new electric toothbrush head) every two to three months. Moving in circular motions is more beneficial to brushing back and forth so keep that in mind when you’re using your brand new toothbrush.

Electric toothbrush

Obviously electric toothbrushes are built to fight plaque and they’re going to be better at doing it than you brushing with your manual. So if you can get one, investing in an electric toothbrush will mean you’re cleaning your teeth better by default and therefore paving the path to whiter, cleaner teeth.

Teeth whitening toothpaste

We feel like this goes without saying, but, using a whitening toothpaste will guarantee you whiter teeth by some margin. Unfortunately teeth yellow naturally with age due to build up of plaque and surface stains and these toothpastes are designed to combat that specifically.

Flossing for whiter teeth

This is simple, it removes the plaque from between your teeth and that’ll stop the build up in that area. You can floss with tape, use inter-dental brushes or –  for the best plaque removal – use a water flosser such as Waterpik.

Don’t rinse with water after brushing

Fluoride is topical and therefore it needs to be topped up frequently. It is best to spit rather than rinse after brushing your teeth so the fluoride stays in your mouth for longer. This is especially important for the nighttime brush so it can coat your teeth whilst you sleep. If you’re going to rinse, use a mouthwash.

What other lifestyle options help to keep your teeth white?

Avoid dark foods

In order to prevent new stains from appearing, avoid dark foods and floss after eating to prevent stains. This means thing like red wine, coffee, cola and curry which stain the teeth. Another tip is to drink sodas from straws. Avoid tea, coffee and definitely smoking especially with professional whitening.

Eat detergent foods

Foods that are firm or crisp help clean teeth as they’re eaten. We already mentioned apples (otherwise known as nature’s toothbrush); eating crunchy vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, celery and apples, as these foods actively help to clean and protect your teeth. Strawberries are also renowned for keeping teeth whiter because they contain malic acid, an enzyme that encourages saliva production, so you naturally rinse your mouth as you eat.

Use complimentary lipstick

If you wear lipstick then using the right shade will make a difference. Choose a medium coral or light red lipstick. These colours make your teeth look whiter, whereas lighter-coloured lipsticks tend to bring out the yellow in teeth.