How to Whiten Your Teeth

A few weeks before I shot my senior pictures, I realized that my teeth were not as white as I wanted. For some reason I never really realized this before, but it dawned on me that it was time to do something about it (finally!). Having braces until 7th grade, my teeth were a bit yellow from the residue, so I talked to my dentist to see what he recommended. Whether you're wanting to buy a new toothpaste or try an at-home remedy, here are a few ways to whiten your teeth!

:: Crest Whitening Toothpaste ::
Oh my goodness, when my dentist recommended me this toothpaste, I had no idea how well it would work. Even though the difference isn't life changing, it definitely looks a lot better than before I started using it. Here is the toothpaste I have been using for the past few months. It only took a month or so to see the difference and I highly recommend giving it a try!

:: Brushing your teeth with baking soda ::
I personally haven't tried this, but one of my friends has and she said it has made her teeth so much less yellow. It may taste a little powdery, but adding a little to your toothpaste once and a while could definitely brighten up your smile.

:: Eating more fruits and veggies ::
Including more fruits (especially strawberries!) in your diet won't automatically give you "as seen on tv" pearly whites, but over time you build stronger, healthier teeth that will in turn be whiter. Strawberries in particular contain Malic Acid which removes stains from your teeth, so try this out if you also have braces residue.

:: Test out a drug store whitening pen ::
I personally am too scared to try this, but I've heard from a few people that Walgreens has a whitening pen that is a little pricey but works wonders. I'm nervous I would do some sort of damage to my teeth, but if you feel it wouldn't hurt your teeth and want results, give this one a go!

:: Talk to your dentist ::
If you have really yellow teeth and want to see significant results, talk to your dentist at your next appointment. They can do specific treatments that brighten up your smile and are much more effective and usually quicker than at home remedies. This is the best way to start if you want major changes!

Have you had any luck with teeth whitening? What worked for you?

xoxo