Your smile is often one of the first things that people tend to notice about you, and it can often make a lasting impact on their impressions of you. If you're interested in a beautiful, confident smile, then consider one of the many options available today for whiter teeth.

Try not to use over-the-counter whitening products without first consulting with your dentist. A lot of the times, these products' harsh chemicals can actually damage your teeth, far from the intended benefits. Your dentist will be able to help you determine if your tooth enamel is strong enough for OTC treatments.

If you over use teeth whitening products, especially extremely powerful ones, you could be doing serious harm to your teeth. You should always consult with your dentist before going through such a procedure and make sure it's safe for you to do so. If your dentist says it's too soon or you've done it too many times – listen to him!

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.

A natural whitening method that many people stand by is to mix lemon juice and salt. Fresh squeezed lemon juice is best as the acid is at its peak. Mix the juice from a lemon with a half teaspoon of salt and brush your teeth with the mixture. The acid will eat at the stains and the salt will add abrasion to scrub them away. Brush normally after this treatment to remove the citric acid.

Ask your dentist about the different teeth whitening options available to you. Some dentists may recommend a procedure that they provide in their office. Some may refer you to a certain product that you can find at your local pharmacy. Some may simply suggest that you brush your teeth more often.

Closely follow the instructions on the your whitening product. It will actually irritate your gums and mouth, and might even cause damage to your teeth. Use whitening products only as often as they are recommended and for no longer then stated on the package directions.

Teeth can stain over time, they can also be stained because you smoke or drink a lot of drinks with caffeine, this can give you an ugly smile. There are many methods for whitening your teeth and creating a great smile. Choose one of these to undo discoloration that has built up over the years.