A brighter, whiter smile is what half of America is searching for. Some have found it, some have not. The key is not in these high dollar teeth whitening treatments that you can buy at the store; the key is in how you take care of your teeth by what you eat, drink, and if you properly clean them. Below are some tips on what to avoid and what to take up when trying to whiten your teeth.

Floss daily. Flossing daily will help you keep up with other proper dental hygiene habits. Flossing and brushing are imperative to having clean, white teeth. Carry a spare toothbrush and floss with you in your glove box, bag, or purse so that you can brush if you are going to be away from your house.

Heavy smoking can in fact damage and stain your teeth. It helps to cut down on the amount of cigarettes you smoke each day or eliminate them out of your life completely. People who smoke have a harder time keeping their teeth clean than those who don't.

Gray teeth aren't often bettered with whitening treatments, it usually only works on yellowed natural teeth. You might need to do this several times to get your teeth bright and white.

Make sure you regularly brush your teeth. You should make sure you brush your teeth at least two times a day, once in the morning and at night. More importantly, you should make sure you are properly brushing. This will help avoid a buildup of plaque and will help keep your teeth white.

In order to achieve pearly white teeth it is important to stay away from tobacco. Aside from the health side effects of smoking tobacco, another side effect that it does is that it makes your teeth turn yellow. This effect does not happen instantly and it only shows after long term tobacco use.

To make your teeth look their best after a bleaching session, be sure to focus on your gums. Red or irritated gums will distract from your teeth, and may make them look less healthy than they actually are. Try using a gum massager before you have your teeth whitened. It'll make sure part of your smile looks great.

As previously stated, white teeth are in high demand by most of America. There are costly ways to go about whitening your teeth, then there are smart ways. Of course, the smart ways are best. The costly ways may be easier, but could hurt your teeth in the long run, not to mention your bank account. If you follow the aforementioned teeth-whitening tips, then you should be well on your way to achieving those beautiful pearly whites you have always dreamed of.