Many methods of whitening your teeth are on the market. Some of these tactics work, whereas others are complete scams. Whatever method you choose to brighten your smile, be sure to do some research. Some products have side effects or are ineffective. Take a look at the advice that follows to learn how to simply and effectively whiten your teeth.

Be careful using “home remedies” to whiten your teeth. Common home remedies like lemons, ash, or baking soda can actually do more damage than good. You should ask your dentist for “home remedy” suggestions if you cannot afford a professional procedure.

Avoid using mouthwashes that contain alcohol or have coloring added to them. These colorings are known to have a staining effect on your teeth. The chemicals that they use are also not good for you. One well known mouthwash has been known to stain your teeth a brownish color.

Do not drink wine or coffee, and quit smoking! Each of these items contain chemicals that will adhere to, and discolor, your teeth. If you must drink these beverages, brush your teeth immediately after you have finished. As an alternative, you can now purchase mini finger brushes that have a mild abrasive on them to clean your teeth when a toothbrush isn't available. The teeth are cleaned by the use of the abrasive.

Watch what you eat immediately following teeth whitening. Once they are white, these foods can absorb the stains and colors more easily. That's why you should keep away from dark foods and drinks for a few days after a whitening treatment. This is especially true for tea, coffee and ketchup, which will easily be absorbed by your teeth and ruin the whitening you had done.

Be careful with excessive whitening of your teeth. If you have repeatedly whitened your teeth, you may be causing irreparable damage to the teeth. You should avoid using powerful whitening products repeatedly. If you are not receiving the results from the whitening, consult your dentist to find other ways to whiten.

Drinks such as tea and coffee are notorious in ruining and discoloring your teeth. Make sure to keep a bottle of water handy to rinse while you are drinking tea or coffee and afterwards. Drinks such as colas and wine can also stain your teeth. Avoiding or limiting these drinks can improve the whiteness of your smile.

Whitening your teeth doesn't have to be hard and by opting to use the tips from the article above, you can start on your way to having a whiter smile. Some methods may work for you better than others, but remember to experiment to find a proper teeth whitening regimen that works for you.