Pearly white teeth make your smile brighter. A lot of people want to achieve a perfectly white set of teeth but since it darkens as one ages, a lot of teeth whitening methods have been invented to keep up with the demand. It is said that first impression lasts and the shade that your teeth has can affect the perception of other people. What is good about it is that there are a lot of ways to make your teeth whiter.

Brushing, flossing and rinsing properly afterwards are of course the most common practice done to keep the teeth clean and white. Brushing should be done two or three times everyday while flossing should be done once. A mouthwash can then be used in the morning and evening to keep your breath fresh. But contrary to the popular belief that brushing should be done right after eating, it is advised to wait at least an hour after a meal before brushing your teeth. This is because the enamel of the teeth softens somewhat after eating. Brushing it while it is soft can damage them irreparably. You should also check the way you brush or floss your teeth. Many people learned to brush by themselves without the advice of a dental professional. If you learned to brush your teeth in the wrong manner, it is very hard to unlearn the habit. However, there is always a chance to improve.

To make your teeth whiter, use whitening toothpaste in brushing your teeth. Whitening toothpaste differs from the ordinary ones by the use of ingredients that are the same as those used on teeth whiteners that professionals use. But whitening toothpaste was made to be used everyday because of its mild formulation. Instants results however should not be expected since it whitens teeth only through continued use.

If you want a faster but safe teeth whitening procedure, you can use an oxidizing formula such as hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. Products containing these ingredients whiten the teeth by penetrating through the enamel layer of each tooth and then oxidizing the stain causing deposits on the tooth. Aside from the natural darkening of the teeth as we grow older, your lifestyle and the food you regularly digest also causes staining. Some of these are smoking or regular intake of coffee, tea and soda drinks. Therefore, you must avoid their use to keep your teeth whiter. If you cannot keep away from them altogether, you must at least minimize your usage. For soda lovers, it is best to drink from a straw since the soda flows past your teeth and thus do not stain them.

Another thing you must do to keep your teeth whiter is to visit your dentist regularly for check ups. This means that you have to be at a dental office at least twice every year. It is a crucial part of dental care that many people often delay for another day, thus resulting to more damage for the teeth.