Your smile is one of the first things that people usually notice, so one of the last things you want to deal with is stained teeth. Thankfully, you have many different procedures you can follow to help whiten teeth. Continue reading to find some tips which will help you select the right whitening technique for you.

If you have gum disease or untreated cavities in your mouth, be cautious before undergoing any teeth whitening procedures. You could end up damaging your teeth even further or just end up wasting money on a procedure that won't work. You should consult with your dentist before undergoing the procedure.

Save your orange peel and have a teeth whitening session. The inside of the orange peel has citric acid and can help to remove stains and whiten teeth. Either rub it directly on your teeth or get some dried peel, organically grown and some ground up bay leaves to create a paste that you can brush on. Remember to brush after your session to remove any acid that may harm the enamel over time.

Be sure to brush your teeth at least twice a day. Regular brushing helps to prevent plaque build up, because this can result in permanent discoloration of your teeth. Once it builds up, it is difficult to remove without the assistance of a dentist, so it's better to avoid the problem in the first place.

Avoid drinking coffee, tea, cola, and wine unless you are drinking water with them or immediately afterward. These dark liquids have been shown to permanently stain and discolor teeth. Rinsing your mouth with water afterward can reduce these effects, as can brushing your teeth after your morning coffee, as it removes the staining chemicals from your mouth.

Increase the amount of foods in your diet that clean your teeth. These include high-fiber fruits and vegetables such as carrots, apples, celery, and cauliflower. These work to whiten your teeth by scrubbing off plaque as you eat. They also cause your mouth to produce more saliva, which results in healthier enamel and whiter teeth.

As mentioned in this article, people notice your smile first before anything else about you, and you certainly do not want to feel embarrassed about it. You may not smile much and may feel self-conscious about stained teeth. Apply the tips from this article, and you will be on your way to a whiter, brighter smile in no time.