At Home Teeth Whitening - Does Lemon Juice Work?

Many people desire a whiter smile. Yet, these people also want pearly white teeth without the hassle, time, and cost of dental visits or expensive over-the-counter kits and products. While these dental products are designed specifically for your teeth, there are some natural home remedies that will whiten your teeth with the same results as well. Lemon juice is one home ingredient that is known for its tooth enamel whitening ability.

It is a very acidic liquid. Because of the acid content in the juice, lemon juice is effective at getting your teeth whiter. However, the brighter and whiter teeth are displayed because the acid level of the juice makes your teeth lose calcium. Teeth need calcium to be strong and healthy; therefore caution should be taken when performing lemon juice whitening techniques too often or over long periods of time. Occasional applications of lemon juice for teeth whitening purposes are safe and will show the desired results.

There are different methods for applying it to teeth for whitening purposes. Some people prefer to brush their teeth by using straight lemon juice, fresh or bottled, on their toothbrush. Others believe that rubbing a lemon peel across their teeth is the best whitening method. However, adding some other ingredients to the juice often provides results in the safest manner for your teeth. Two of the most popular mixture ingredients are baking soda and table salt.

Before applying the mixture, you should brush and floss your teeth to ensure that they are clean. Apply a baking soda and one drop of lemon juice mixture to your toothbrush. Brush your teeth once again. This time you will use the  mixture rather than toothpaste. Complete the baking soda and lemon brushing for a second time on your teeth. Rinse your teeth well with water. For the final brushing, use a fluoride enhanced toothpaste. Your teeth will appear cleaner and whiter.

The same technique can be applied to your teeth by using table salt with the juice rather than baking soda. However, many people find that the table salt irritates sensitive gums. If your gums become sore after this technique, the salt is the calporate. It may be beneficial to rinse well with water during the brushing process to prevent the salt from remaining in one area of the mouth too long.

Using lemon juice, straight from the lemon or from a bottle, can be very effective for whitening the teeth. The two key factors to safely using the acid to make your teeth whiter and brighter are controlling how often you perform the whitening treatment and rinsing well after using the treatment. Never perform the juice or the juice mixture whitening technique, or other teeth whitening techniques for that matter, more often than every other day. Once a week will show results. Also, always rinse your mouth well and brush with toothpaste after applying lemon juice to your teeth.

By Gwendolyn W. Taylor 

Simple Ways to Whiten Your Teeth Easily

Whiter teeth can really improve your appearance. You can confidently talk to anybody knowing that you are carrying a set of healthy, white teeth. There are numerous ways to whiten teeth and this article will discuss some of the useful yet easy ways on how to do that.
Looking back at old times, there are no available toothpastes with formulation of fluoride to whiten teeth. There are no whitening products that are being applied. But we can observe that people at early times also have white teeth. Here are some interesting things they do to keep their teeth healthy:
• Mashed strawberries or sage leaf were applied and massaged on teeth's surface.
• Toasts (usually burnt) are often applied on teeth. The mixture of ground burnt bits, some powder and flavored oil are used as toothpaste then.
• Food particles left in between tooth are often rinsed only by gargling water.
• Cotton soaked in baking soda and lemon juice mixture is wiped to the teeth.
• Baking soda mixed with hydrogen peroxide is the most expensive whitening product then.
Nowadays, there is an emergence of clinically approved teeth whitening products and processes. The procedures are claimed to be fast and effective but also quite expensive. Teeth whitening can be complicated in some ways and can have drastic effects not only to your gums and teeth but to your personality as well.
Before giving in to some advertisements and clinical measures which promise crystal clear smile, you might want to try some home based and personal ways to whiten your teeth. These processes are not only safe and very inexpensive; they can also be done easily.
• The rule of the thumb is to brush your teeth after every meal. Brushing will prevent the formation of plaque that sets stains. Many people think that once a day brushing is enough but this isn't true. Healthy gums and teeth will be maintained by brushing your teeth regularly.
• Use toothpastes that carry the seal of approval from the American Dental Association. It will be better to use whitening toothpastes.
• Worn out toothbrush is a no-no! How can you have clean white teeth, if your brush can't do the job? Your teeth will not be brushed thoroughly with bristles that are worn out so change your toothbrush every two months.
• Floss once a day because food strips that are left in between your teeth can also stain them.
• Visit your dentist and have your teeth cleaned at least once a year. Teeth cleaning done by professional dentist can help maintain the natural color of your teeth.
• Avoid drinking red wine and coffee because these can stain your teeth quickly. Smoking on the other hand, can turn the color of your teeth to yellow. Drink milk and lots of water instead.
• Eating fruits and vegetables is also beneficial for the teeth. Raw vegetables are not only healthy but can also clean your teeth; so have them for your snack. Strawberries are loaded with Vitamin C which has bleaching elements. You can also use lemon peel to whiten your teeth; just massaged it over the surface of your teeth and rinse thoroughly.
Taking care of your teeth begins with the foods you take in your body. Healthy food equals healthy body and alongside; healthy bones and teeth. White teeth can be achieved not only by undergoing clinical treatments. Inexpensive, natural ways are also effective. Just be patient and observe your teeth grow whiter everyday!

By Susan Bell