Natural Tooth Whitening Tips 
for A Brighter Smile

Tooth whitening is one of the big trends in dental care right now. There are a number of methods you can use to get whiter teeth for that much desired brighter smile. The costs vary, depending on the method used. Also, be advised there are levels of risk that are associated with certain ways of whitening your teeth.

With varying cost levels, risk factors, and a certain amount of mystery in long-term tooth whitening effects, it makes sense to explore some of the natural methods of whitening your teeth before you decide to use chemicals.

Some Tooth Whiteners Available

If you have looked at the the dental care aisle at your local drug store or mega-mart lately, you probably saw rows and rows of tooth whitening products. You will see mouth washes, gums, toothpastes, gels and even film treatments that you stick on your teeth for hours at a time. These are all relatively quick fixes.

Whitening Teeth Naturally

If you want to use the natural ways of tooth whitening, you will have to be patient. The natural tooth whitening techniques are just that -- natural, and, of course, they will be slower in giving you results you can see. If you establish daily routines and use them, you will find that these natural methods are the healthiest and best way to whiten your teeth.

Back in the dental care aisle, you will notice that there are a number of tooth whitening toothpastes. This is a perfect place to start your search for natural tooth whitening. The toothpastes, as opposed to whitening treatments, generally do use natural whiteners. They are rarely chemically based, but it is best to first check out the ingredients on the label to make sure. Usually the label will let you know what the active ingredients are. That should make it a little easier for you to tell what whiteners it contains. If you are not sure about what you are looking for or looking at, then do some research. In most cases, you will see bamboo powder, calcium carbonate, or silica as the whitener in your toothpaste. If it is not one of those, it is probably not natural.

As you check ingredients, there are some to expect and others to avoid. A rule of thumb is to avoid all abrasives. Abrasives are often used to remove stains from the teeth, but they may also remove enamel. Enamel is the outside coating on your teeth that makes them durable, so it is counter-productive to whiten your teeth with something that damages the enamel. What you should be looking for is silica. Silica is a cleaner and whitener of teeth that removes stains. It is able to remove stains without damaging enamel because it is not a harsh abrasive. 

Additional Tips for Whiter Teeth

In addition to seeking out these natural teeth whiteners, you should drink plenty of water. Not only does drinking water keep your body hydrated, it also makes it less likely that you will crave other drinks that can stain your teeth. Coffee, tea, and dark colas are the main offenders that darken teeth. Of course, you should not be smoking. Cigarette and cigar smoking are not only bad for your health generally, they also severely stain teeth over time. Whitening teeth is not just about promotion of whiteness, it is also about preventing excess staining in the first place.

Whether it's vanity or just a desire to have healthier teeth, tooth whitening has become a big business. If you decide to go a route other than natural, either seek the advice of your dentist or research thoroughly the pros and cons of any method you are considering.