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Everyone wants whiter teeth, but is there such a thing as too white? This is a question that you should consider before investing in teeth whitening products or procedures.
When it comes to whitening your teeth, you should consider a few different factors.
- How effective is it for whitening your teeth?
- What is the cost?
- Are there side effects?
Many people are so eager to whiten their teeth that they run out and buy every product that could possibly help them achieve this goal. This can not only strain your budget, but it can also cause dental problems for you later on.
Consult With Your Dentist
The importance of regular dental checkups cannot be overestimated. Aside from checking for cavities, gum disease and other problems, your dentist can clean your teeth and perform whitening procedures. He or she can give you a professional recommendation on how often you should whiten your teeth.
If you don’t go to the dentist regularly, you might be overlooking some potentially serious conditions. This can make it unsafe to use teeth whitening products on your own. For example, if you have gum disease, teeth whitening products could irritate this and cause further inflammation.
Aside from cleaning your teeth, some dentists perform teeth whitening procedures. These can be effective at making your teeth look much whiter immediately. The downside is that this is quite expensive. The usual cost is upwards of $500. These teeth bleaching procedures are also not permanent, so if you want to maintain the whiteness, you will have to repeat it on a regular basis.
Whitening Toothpastes
There are many toothpastes for sale that promise to whiten your teeth. These contain some type of chemical or abrasive that makes the teeth appear whiter. If you use these, make sure that you follow the instructions on the package.
Using whitening toothpaste more often than the manufacturer recommends can be harmful to your teeth over time. It’s better to keep your teeth healthy than to make them extra white.
Are Home Teeth Whitening Products Safe?
There are many ways to whiten your teeth. You have probably seen ads for various products that promise to give you perfectly white teeth. There are also quite a few natural products, such as tooth whitening toothpastes, that are often recommended for this purpose. Yet how safe are these?
Using any type of teeth whitening product too often can damage the enamel of your teeth. This is the protective lining that keeps your teeth strong. As it wears away, you are more prone to tooth decay and even losing your teeth. This is a high price to pay simply to have your teeth look whiter for a few years!
Some of the products that are often used to whiten teeth include lemon juice, hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and vinegar. All of these can damage the enamel of your teeth over time.
Safe and Natural Ways to Whiten Teeth
Are there completely safe ways to keep your teeth whiter? There are some daily practices that can do this.
* Brush and floss 2 to 3 times daily.
* Eat plenty of crunchy vegetables -these help to clean and whiten your teeth.
* Coffee and tea can stain your teeth. If you drink these beverages, rinse your mouth afterwards.
* Chewing gum that has a natural sweetener such as xylitol can help clean your teeth. Avoid gum with sugar or possibly harmful sugar substitutes such as aspartame.
* If you smoke, you should quit. Aside from all the other health dangers of smoking, it stains your teeth.
Be Sensible About Whitening Your Teeth
In conclusion, it’s fine to take measures to whiten your teeth. On the other hand, you shouldn’t get carried away and overdo it. Visit the dentist regularly, and follow his or her recommendations.
You should avoid do-it-yourself teeth whitening procedures, even if they involve safe and natural sounding ingredients. Many of these products may help whiten your teeth in the short run, but over time will cause damage.
Using safe products like whitening toothpastes in moderation is fine. Make sure, however, that you don’t use these excessively. You should focus on keeping your whole mouth healthy, and whiter teeth is only one aspect of this.