Who doesn't love the smooth clean feeling of your teeth after they have just been cleaned by the dentist? Many people are starting to read teeth whitening tips and want the look and feel of perfectly clean and white teeth all the time.
There are many reasons for teeth not to be absolutely white.
Just as we all have different hair and eye colour which we inherit from our parents, so are our teeth are different shades of white because of the genes we have inherited.
Environmental factors also play a part along with these genetic factors.
If tetracycline antibiotics have been given to a child, this may cause the teeth to take on a grey or blue tinge.
There may also be defective enamel formation, again causing discoloration.
A loss of vitality of the teeth either because of trauma or root canal therapy is another reason for the teeth to lose their white appearance.
Surface discoloration can be due to a number of things.
Strongly colored food and drink such as licorice, tea, coffee and red wine all play a part in discoloring the teeth.
Cigarette and cigar smoking also has a negative effect, as does inadequate tooth brushing, flossing and rinsing.
Advanced dental plaque too will cause teeth to become discoloured.
What can be done to reverse this state of affairs? A resumption of best teeth whitening system and good oral hygiene techniques, such as regular brushing and flossing, avoiding food and drink that causes staining and twice yearly visits to the dentist to get your teeth cleaned and polished would be an excellent start.
There are also take home whitening products which can be used between visits to the dentist.
The first method to try is brush on whiteners, which although messy, have the advantage of being cheap.
Second, you can try strips to apply to your teeth, a method which is effective as long as you keep using them.
There are strips which dissolve as soon as they've done their job.
These can be used anywhere and no one will know you're using them.
There is also none of the mess you have when you use the brush on whiteners.
Next, there are strips that need removal, a method which is cheaper but the strips are obvious when in use.
There is also a gel- like mess to clean up, as well as the need to take the strip off and throw it away.
Here are some more teeth whitening tips for you to consider.
You may choose to have your teeth professionally whitened while you are at the dentist.
Many people who choose this option choose laser whitening which produces instant results.
Professional gel applications and trays provide fast results but are costly and again need to be done by a trained professional.
The effect of bleaching can last several months but it varies depending on the lifestyle of the patient.
If they drink a lot of coffee tea or red wine, or smoke, the effects may last a much shorter time.
Sometimes the teeth are so heavily stained that whitening may not be effective at all.
In such cases, other methods can be used.
Bonding, when a thin coating of composite material is applied to the front of a person's teeth and then cured by a blue light can be performed to mask the staining.
A veneer can also mask the discoloration.
Whatever whitening method is used, remember the key to all great smiles is a proper, faithfully carried out dental hygiene program.
Start by making an appointment with your dentist and asking his advice about teeth whitening tips and keeping your teeth in the best condition possible.