Do you wish your teeth were whiter, but cringe when you look at the cost of professional whitening treatments? Professional treatments really are the most effective option for teeth whitening, but just because you're on a tight budget, it does not mean you have to continue living with yellowed, stained teeth. Here are three budget-friendly teeth whitening solutions that will at least whiten your teeth a few shades.
Whitening Toothpaste
This is perhaps the most affordable option of them all. Instead of buying your regular toothpaste, just purchase a whitening toothpaste. You will have to be patient, as results won't be immediate. However, within a few weeks, you should notice that your teeth start to look whiter. As an added benefit, using whitening toothpaste is a very safe way to whiten your teeth.
Most whitening toothpastes contain mild abrasives like baking soda, so they gently scrape away the stains without actually bleaching your teeth. The more expensive ones may contain a small amount of hydrogen peroxide to slowly bleach out your teeth, too. If you purchase this type, make sure you follow instructions that specify how often to use the toothpaste; most should only be used once a day to avoid excessive exposure to peroxide.
Whitening Strips
Whitening strips cost a little more than whitening toothpaste, but they're also more effective if you have moderate staining. Do make sure you buy from a reputable brand, even though brand name strips will cost a bit more than those from a discount store. The cheapest whitening strips often contain lower concentrations of bleaching chemicals so they may not be as effective.
Most whitening strip packages advise you to use the strips about once a week until you get the results you desire. If you're trying to keep costs down, consider using them every other week and just being super vigilant about brushing and flossing your teeth between treatments.
Naturally Bleaching Foods
If you really don't have much money to spare, you could try including foods in your diet that are known to naturally whiten teeth. You don't end up with brilliantly white teeth overnight, but your smile should start to look better over time. Good foods to include are:
- Strawberries
- Celery
- Oranges
- Pineapples
- Apples
- Carrots
Try to end each of your meals with one of these foods. They'll help scrub away the stains and also leave residues on your teeth that may help them repel future stains.
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