How to Get Whiter Teeth?

We all desire to be loved or respected by people we are surrounded with. We wish to impress them with all the means possible, and good appearance is a perfect tool in attaining this aim. And when it comes to appearance, our smile says volumes about us to others. A dazzling white smile is a sure shot way of winning hearts. The last thing we want folks to think when they see us smile is the color yellow.

On the other hand, with the modern lifestyle leading to lopsided food habits and routines, it has become difficult to maintain that sheen.

What causes teeth to loose their color?

There are number of factors involved in the process like:

• Excess consumption of acidic foods
• Smoking
• Tobacco
• Excess tea/coffee
• Excess fluoride consumption
• Excess consumption of refined sugar
• Having extremely cold/hot liquids or fluids
• Excess of chocolates and sweets

How can I whiten my teeth?

Tooth whitening products do a great job of removing stain. Sure, they work but they also cost a lot of money and can be harmful to the lifespan of your teeth and gums. But nature has some of the best options available to clean your teeth and bring back their natural white beauty. Let's look at same of the most effective ones:

• Strawberries are considered natural remedy for teeth whitening. Rubbing the teeth with strawberries daily will remove all the stains.
• Rubbing the inside of the orange peel will help in teeth whitening. Make sure to rinse your mouth well after using the orange peel
• Crunchy fruits and vegetables like celery, carrots, apples, and pears act as natual abrasives, helping to remove sticky debris from teeth. They also trigger a lots of saliva, which helps to scrub away stains on your teeth.
• Baking soda is great for removing stains, and also has strong anti-bacterial properties, which is helpful in killing the bacteria that can cause plaque. Many toothpastes also have baking soda as their ingredients because of its effectiveness. To make your own baking soda whitener, mix a pinch of baking Soda with salt and apply on your teeth while you brush your teeth.
• The bark of the walnut tree is also supposed to contain teeth whitening properties. Gently rub the bark over your teeth to remove stains.
• Great whitening results can be seen if you brush your teeth with a combination of few drops of mustard oil and a pinch of salt.
• Make a powder of dry pomegranate peels and brush your teeth every morning and night for a good sparkle.        
• Chewing sugarless gum also helps to clean teeth by removing debris. It also stimulates production of saliva, which helps eliminate teeth stains. Saliva also neutralizes acid that causes tooth decay.

What can I do to avoid yellow teeth?

It your teeth are already white and you want to keep it that way, try the following measures:     

• Brush your teeth effectively with soft bristled toothbrush with a proper technique (i.e. brush firmly and not forcefully). Also, brush at least twice a day and floss at least once daily. Brushing helps prevent tooth stains and yellow teeth, especially at the gum line.
• There are some foods that can stain your teeth and leave them yellow. Examples include coffee, tea, red wine, cranberry juice, grape juice, and dark carbonated drinks. There are some other food like blackberries, blueberries and beets (chukandar) that can leave their color on teeth as well. Make sure to rinse your mouth thoroughly after you had any of these food.
• Avoid using mouthwashes. Besides alcohol they contain other chemicals that can stain or discolor teeth.
• Too hot and too cold drinks should be avoided       
• Drinks lots of water and rinse your mouth thoroughly after every meal or snack to make sure no food residue is sticking to your teeth.
• If you smoke try to cut down as much as possible. Not only is smoking bad for your health, it is one of the worst offenders when it comes to teeth stains. Nicotine in tobacco is the cause of brown stains which develops as nicotine penetrates into the grooves and pits of teeth, and sticks onto all the tooth surfaces. These stains can be hard to remove by brushing alone.
• Visit your dentist and have your teeth cleaned at least once a year. Teeth cleaning done by professional dentist can help maintain the natural color of your teeth.

Teeth whitening by using natural treatments will prevent exposure to harsh chemicals. But don't expect these natural teeth whitening foods to lighten your teeth right away. Patience is the key!