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Maintain Gum Health by Reading These 10 Tips

By April 30, 2015 - 2:33pm

Who doesn’t love a white, bright smile? Having a beautiful smile improves your social life and your career options, so it’s no surprise that people are looking to get cleaner-looking, white teeth. Most people equate white teeth with success, influence, and wealth, and it also directly affects your self-confidence.

Considering how important white teeth are these days, it’s a good thing that teeth whitening treatments are readily available and affordable.

However, teeth whitening is not only linked to attractiveness and self-confidence; it can also help with gum health. Teeth whitening methods also involve removing plaque from your teeth, which can help increase gum health. Here are 10 tips that you can do to have whiter teeth, and healthier gums.

1. Do your Research
There is a wide variety of teeth whitening options available out there. Some you can do at home, some you need to go to a dentist for. Do your research and find out which methods are best suited for you.

2. Consider DIY methods
DIY methods are those that can be done at home. They are cheaper and easier to use compared to professional teeth whitening options, but they work with different ingredients. Professional or commercial teeth whitening products work using hydrogen peroxide, which oxidizes the teeth. DIY methods normally use baking soda, which works as a gentle abrasive. The baking soda physically scrubs away the staining compounds from the surface of the teeth, helps break down the plaque and lowers the acid levels of the mouth that bacteria feed on.

3. Get Consumer Feedback
If you’re trying to decide which professional teeth whitening products to use, don’t just rely on the promises that these products deliver. Look for feedback from other people who have already used the product personally, and see whether they can vouch for the effectiveness of the product.

4. Get a Professional Opinion
Of course, there’s nothing like getting a dentist’s professional opinion on a certain product. Getting a professional opinion helps you get the benefit of a person who has studied the scientific effects of a certain product’s ingredients on the teeth.

5. Get a Second Opinion
Just like any medical decision, it’s best to get multiple opinions before making a choice. If possible, get the opinions of several dentists for a single product. If you are able to get a positive answer from a majority of them, there is a greater chance that the product works well.

6. Follow the Directions Properly
One of the things that people do with teeth whitening products that do more harm than good is try to accelerate the process by using more of the products, or by using for a longer time than prescribed. They think that by using more of the product, or by using it longer, the effects can come about quicker. This is not the case; using products improperly just results in negative side effects. It’s better to be patient and follow the directions for optimal results.

7. Avoid Habits that Aggravate your Problem
It seems like common sense, but many people still smoke, drink teeth-straining beverages like coffee, tea, or wine, or eat teeth-staining food because they have teeth whitening options available. As much as possible, cut down on these habits so that you can lessen the staining on your teeth. What’s more, cutting down on smoking also helps prevent gum disease.

8. Eat the Right Food and Drink
Eat a lot of crunchy vegetables and fruits, such as carrots and apples. These foods act like sweepers, and remove any plaque on the surface of your teeth. They also stimulate your gums to make them healthier. Drink a lot of water to help neutralize and wash away food and drink particles that can lead to staining.

9. Use the Right Dental Tools at Home
The type of toothbrush and toothpaste that you use at home is important in promoting white, healthy teeth, and healthy gums. Use toothbrushes that are gentle on the gums, and have soft bristles. Make sure to change your toothbrush every three months. Look for toothpastes that contain fluoride, which help strengthen teeth enamel (which is important if you are regularly using teeth whitening products).

10. Consistency is the Key
It doesn’t matter what kind of teeth whitening methods you use: natural, DIY, or professional; the key to maintaining white teeth and healthy gums is consistency. While using any teeth whitening treatments, make sure to use them as directed and consistently during the treatment period. Using the products off-and-on or once in a while won’t have the effect on stains that you’re hoping for.

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