Your smile is a hugely important part of your appearance – as the song goes, you’re never fully dressed without a smile! But, what if that smile is less than white? As we get older, the foods and drinks that we consume along with lifestyle habits such as smoking can discolor and stain our teeth. And, teeth whitening products can be expensive, dangerous in some cases, time-consuming or impossible if you have sensitive teeth. Thankfully, you can improve your smile’s shine in no time at all with a range of inexpensive products that are easy to obtain.

Dental Gum

Many chewing-gum companies have started producing and selling gums that contribute to the cleanliness of your teeth. Chewing gum also helps to encourage the production of saliva in your mouth, re-balancing the PH levels and leading to minimal acid erosion of your tooth enamel. Chewing dental gum after eating when you’re out can also help to dislodge any food particles lodged in between teeth and keep decay and plaque at bay. Not only that, but chewing dental gum can give your mouth a cleaner feel and keep your breath nice and fresh.

Electric Toothbrush

If you haven’t yet invested in an electric toothbrush, it’s really recommended that you do. Dentists, oral surgeons and dental associations all agree that brushing with an electric toothbrush is far more effective than a regular brush. This is because when you brush with a regular toothbrush, it can be hard to get the pressure and speed right. Many people also struggle to brush each side of their mouth equally as well, as the majority of people are either left or right handed. Electric toothbrushes are designed to ensure that the right pressure and speed is used and can easily get to all the nooks and crannies that are hard to reach with a standard brush.

Green Tea

If you enjoy drinking a cup of tea, you’ll be glad to hear that studies suggest drinking green tea regularly can actually improve the whiteness of your teeth. Whether you prefer your tea hot, iced or infused with herbal blends, this beverage can re-balance the PH levels in your mouth and keep enamel erosion to a minimum. Unlike coffee which is infamous for staining teeth, tea has the opposite effect. So, if you have a cup of coffee every morning on your way to work, consider switching to green tea for better oral health and to lessen of the side effects of caffeine.

Baking Soda

Plain old baking soda has long been known as a product which can naturally whiten teeth. Rather than breaking the bank buying expensive whitening products and procedures, using baking soda can be an inexpensive, safe and natural way to keep your pearly whites gleaming. Adding baking soda to lemon juice (a natural bleaching product) to make a natural toothpaste is a simple way to make a home whitening product that you can use regularly to gently scrub any stains from the surface of your teeth.

These products are designed for those who have generally healthy teeth – if you have any serious dental problems, visit this Manhattan oral surgery