Exactly how does a person go about having the whitest teeth? Do you go to the best cosmetic dentist and have one of the costly, sometimes painful procedures? Do you purchase a different type of over the counter teeth-whitening compound for every day of the week? Do you apply one type of procedure in the morning and another for nighttime? Just what is a person to do to get whiter teeth?

Well, let us see. There is over the counter bleach you can apply to your teeth. In addition, there are trays you can wear that promises whiter teeth. Then there are strips that you can apply. These teeth whitening strips can be very versatile to use. There are strips that dissolve in a few minutes or strips that you wear over night. Let us not forget the rinses that you can swish around your mouth then spit out. The list of over the counter teeth whitening applications is long with much variety. The number of different your dentist can use to help you obtain whiter teeth are vast and easily available. There is a procedure and a price for almost anyone on most budgets. In other words, whiter teeth can be yours for a price, however, the price might include pain and food sacrifices to obtain the best results.

Will any of these measures really give you whiter teeth? Possibly, highly probable, if, and I did say if, your mouth is healthy to start with. Start with the things you can do and change. Good oral hygiene is a must for good health and essential for whiter teeth. Eat right, drink plenty of fluids, and be sure to get enough dairy calcium. It is not just an old wives tale, “drink your milk” you need it for your teeth. Of course if you are unhealthy, have certain diseases or conditions, whiter teeth will be extremely hard to achieve. Chemotherapy, certain medications like tetracycline, iron, can turn teeth dark, sometimes brown, dark yellow or almost black. Unfortunately, there is little to be done in these instances except take care of your mouth and your health.

Good Oral Hygiene for whiter teeth can be accomplished in absence of above by practicing just that, good oral hygiene. Far too many people are naive in thinking that daily brushing is all that is needed for good oral hygiene. Daily brushing is the absolute minimum you can do for good oral hygiene. Brushing after each meal, especially before you go to bed is important for oral health and whiter teeth. Daily flossing, especially after eating is necessary. Eating healthy, drinking your milk, and consuming fluoride treated water certainly helps with oral hygiene and please see your dentist regularly for checkups.

Besides using a good toothbrush, you should also invest in a toothpaste that addresses the needs of your enamel. Some people struggle with stains, while others are prone to sensitive teeth. You can pick a toothpaste that is targeted towards these individual problems. However, you should always make sure that your toothpaste has fluoride, which helps strengthen the enamel.

After you brush your teeth with the appropriate toothbrush and toothpaste, you should floss to protect your gums. Dentists estimate that brushing your teeth cleans about 65% of your mouth, and flossing gets the rest of the 35%. Additionally, researchers contend that flossing regularly can add years to your life. This is because only floss can reach the crevices between teeth, cleaning away the tiny pieces of food and plaque that builds up around your teeth over the course of a day.

Without flossing, the plaque and bacteria around your gums can lead to problems like gingivitis. Once your gums are infected, you can develop periodontitis. Periodontitis can actually increase your risks of health issues like heart attacks and stroke. Thus, it is important to take the time to floss and protect your health and well-being.

Another way to increase your overall health is to make regular visits to the doctor so that he or she can check for any potential problems. This preventative care can help you catch any health problems sooner rather than later, which often makes them easier to treat. However, visits to the doctor can be expensive. To help you, you should consider a health insurance plan that fits your needs.

Oral Hygiene Do’s

* Visit your dentist regularly for check-ups and cleaning.
* Visit an orthodontist for an evaluation if you see any of the early warning signs of orthodontic problems.
* Have your child(ren) evaluated by an orthodontist by age seven. Many orthodontic problems can be more easily corrected before tooth and facial growth is complete.
* Brush your teeth at least twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush and a fluoride toothpaste.
* Floss between your teeth at least once a day, after dinner and before bedtime. (Tip: Use toothpaste on your floss for extra fresh breath.)
* Rinse and gargle with the mouthwash, ideally right before bedtime.
* Eat a balanced diet, limit between-meal snacks and eliminate sugary foods.
* Clean your tongue when your brush your teeth. (Tip: Instead of using toothpaste to brush your tongue, dip your toothbrush in mouthwash.)
* Drink plenty of liquids, especially water to keep your mouth moist. (Tip: If your mouth is dry, try sucking in your cheeks as if eating something sour to increase flow from the salivary glands.)

Oral Hygiene Don’ts

* Don’t forget to clean behind your back teeth.
* Don’t give mouthwash or fluoride toothpaste to young children, as they can swallow it.
* Don’t clean your tongue so hard that it hurts.
* Don’t rely on mouthwash alone too keep your teeth and gums clean and your breath fresh. Practice complete oral hygiene.
* Don’t ignore your gums – you can lose your teeth as well as have bad breath.
* Don’t drink too much coffee.
* Don’t smoke.