A white smile not only looks great, it also raises your confidence! We have made a list of 5 things you can do today to whiten your teeth and keep them that way! 5 DIY Teeth Whitening Tips Proper Oral Hygiene Although it may seem obvious, properly brushing and flossing your teeth is the most important thing you can do to whiten your teeth and keep them that way. You should brush your teeth after every meal, or at least twice daily. After eating a meal food particles become stuck to your tongue and teeth which can stain teeth or lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Sunrise Dental recommends brushing your tongue as well to help prevent staining from accumulated bacteria. Finally, remember to change your toothbrush every 3 months! Once the bristles of a toothbrush begin to bend they are no longer properly cleaning your teeth. Lifestyle Changes There are many things that stain teeth including smoking, eating dark foods and drinking coffee, red wine, soda or tea. By changing your lifestyle habits you can prevent further staining. If you do want to drink coffee, wine, soda or tea, consider drinking them through a straw to avoid contact with your mouth. Never attempt to drink hot liquids through a straw! Eat Fresh Fruits & Vegetables Many fruits and vegetables are natural teeth whiteners. Try eating apples, celery, carrots, strawberries and cheese. All of these produce saliva in your mouth, which removes stain causing plaque and bacteria naturally. Brush with Baking Soda Baking soda is the original tooth whitener. Once or twice a week wet your toothbrush then dip the bristles into your baking soda and brush in small, slow circles for 1 minute. Rinse your mouth out with water immediately to get the baking soda out of your mouth. Consider adding a squeeze of lemon juice to the baking soda to increase the whitening effect slightly over time. Only brush with baking soda and lemon juice every other week as the acidity can damage enamel if done too often. Never leave lemon juice on your teeth longer than 60 seconds. Whitening Gel There are many different whitening gels and strips available in stores and over the counter which whiten teeth very well. However, each and every product is different, so we recommend reading the instructions for your product carefully before applying them. Although these techniques will make your teeth whiter, it may take many months before you notice any results. The dentists at Sunrise Dental can offer same day teeth whitening which whitens teeth by an average of 8 shades (your results may vary). Schedule a Raleigh teeth whitening appointment with us today!