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There are people out there who are incredibly embarrassed about their discolored teeth yet refuse to discuss the topic. Dentists are sometimes just out of your price range. Taking steps to whiten your teeth could provide you with the motivation to take better care of your teeth in general.

If your gums get sensitive after using whitening teeth strips, look for a similar product that does not need to be applied for as long. Although the half hour whitening strips have to be applied for a longer time period, two weeks or so, gums won't be as sensitive.

The most basic thing you can do to keep your teeth white is to keep your regularly scheduled dental appointments. Get your teeth professionally cleaned every six months and always schedule your next appointment while in the office for your cleaning. If you have dental insurance, cleaning is covered twice a year.

Stay away from wine, cigarettes and coffee. Each of these items contain chemicals that will adhere to, and discolor, your teeth. If you must indulge in these things, you should make it a habit to brush your teeth as soon as you are done. You can also try the miniature brushes that slip over your finger, which are mildly abrasive and negate the need to tote a toothbrush everywhere. The abrasive effect removes the debris from your teeth immediately.

After you whiten your teeth, be careful of what you drink or eat. Once they are white, these foods can absorb the stains and colors more easily. It's best to avoid dark colored foods and drinks after your whitening session. Coffee, for example, is a dark beverage with pigments that easily cause stains. These pigments can make your teeth go from white to not-so-white in a hurry, so always exercise caution.

You can use strawberries to naturally whiten your teeth. The chemical composition of strawberries naturally whitens your teeth without the use of chemical whiteners. Simply cut a strawberry into two pieces and rub the inner part of the fruit on your teeth for a little while or mash the strawberry to create a paste and leave it lined around your teeth for a few minutes.

You must follow the directions on home whitening products to the letter. Rather, it can cause gum and mouth irritation, and even cause massive dental damage. Precisely follow the instructions regarding the length of time to leave the solution on your teeth.

The best thing you can do for having a whiter smile is to regularly visit your dentist for cleanings. Routinely schedule these cleanings twice every year. When your done with a cleaning, set up your following appointment so you don't forget. You should always ask the office to call and remind you.

As you have read, you can take small steps yourself that can help brighten your smile. You don't need to spend a lot of time or money whitening your teeth, and the advice above shows you how to do that. However you choose to go about it, make oral hygiene a part of your life to keep white teeth.