If you consider that consumers spend over seventeen million dollars for Trident whitening chewing gum in one year, then it is no wonder that teeth whitening products are such huge cash cows for companies. People shell out, on average, over three hundred dollars a year on basic oral hygiene products. That does not count all of the tooth whitening products that are sold to consumers looking to have whiter, brighter teeth. Before you plunk down a wad of cash, or swipe that credit card, you may want to know the basics first.
Teeth Cleaning vs Teeth Whitening Products
The first rule of thumb for anyone, should be to “know thy mouth” and know that what you put into it will affect your appearance. The first step to having a nicer smile is to have good oral hygiene. Brushing your teeth should not be optional. It should be done at least twice a day with a good firm toothbrush, to not only clean the teeth, but to stimulate the gums as well.
Also use a toothpaste that fights gingivitis and plaque. And do not forget to floss. Everyone has lied to their dental hygienist once or twice when he or she was asked if flossing occurs regularly. Most people do not floss on a regular basis, but remember, a toothbrush only gets so far between your teeth.
Once you have the basics of good oral hygiene in place, it is time to begin thinking about what the next step should be when choosing teeth whitening products.
Foods to Avoid Teeth Whitening
The old saying of “you are what you eat” is pretty true. If you are a tobacco user, drink lots of dark beverages such as coffee and tea, and you drink red wine, then your teeth may be showing the effects. The darker liquids and substances will color your teeth. Use this test when trying to decide if a food or beverage will stain your teeth. Put the food or beverage in question on a white shirt. If it stains the material, then it will stain your teeth too.
Once you know your mouth, you can begin the process of having whiter teeth. Start the process with good oral hygiene and follow it up with tooth whitening products that are easy to use. Skip the complicated trays and teeth whitening gel until you develop a routine. Simple toothpaste that contains a whitening agent is a great way to lighten your teeth by one or two shades. You can always try other methods later once you have a healthy mouth.
Please do not use common household bleach on your teeth as a way to save money on teeth whitening products. You may not want to leave whitening strips on your teeth throughout the day either, so an easy solution to keeping your teeth white is to cut back on tobacco use and avoid dark beverages that will stain. Good oral hygiene and a few products can give you the smile you have always wanted.