What have you done to have pearly white teeth? Well, all we do is use branded toothpaste and brush our teeth twice daily. But doing just that isn't enough to have whiter, brighter and shinier teeth. Consumers are not fully satisfied with the kind of regular toothpastes and gels available in the market today. Something more is needed for that glowing smile.

So then what's the best way to whiter teeth? It's definitely teeth whitening or bleaching. Teeth whitening are basically the process that can lighten as well as remove stains from your teeth. The process helps in bleaching the dentin and the enamel, the key tooth mass, thus brightening your discolored teeth.

Teeth whitening are carried out by professionals and should not be tried otherwise. The process is very effective and that's the simple reason why dentists recommend teeth whitening to get fabulous results. But before initiating the procedure, several steps need to be carried out to understand whether you are fit for the entire teeth whitening process or not. After determining this aspect, the dentist will give you a brief about the different kinds of teeth whitening products available and the one that would be the best for you. This will be decided by the dentist.

Though teeth whitening aren't a permanent procedure, but it lasts for a considerable period of time. Also the result of the procedure is likely to depend on the condition of your teeth. Some people might note miraculous difference while others might not be really satisfied with the kind of effect generated.

However, before carrying out the final procedure of teeth whitening or bleaching, the dentist cleans the teeth, removes the cavities and checks for healthy gums. If all these results are satisfactory enough, only then the process begins.

In the ancient times, these procedures weren't available. So then how did our ancestors manage to keep such healthy and glittering teeth? Well, the credit goes to their dedicated self regiment which they unfailingly maintained all through their life. The ancestral methods of teeth whitening are noted below and you can try these now as well:

Apply sage leaf or mashed strawberries on the surface of the teeth to see the difference.

Gargle after your major meals to rinse off the food particles that have been left between your teeth.

Soak a piece of cotton in lemon juice and baking soda to wipe your teeth.

A mix of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda was probably the most overpriced procedure then.

Apart from all these age old methods you can simply maintain a proper dental hygiene regime for yourself. It would be less expensive than the other procedures and would also be less of a hassle. Also, all these processes can be practiced on a regular basis for proper hygiene and care; have a look:

Brushing your teeth with proper toothpaste after every meal is mandatory. Brushing helps in preventing the development of plaque that causes stains. For healthy teeth and gums you need to brush more than twice daily.

Throw away your worn out toothbrushes. You must choose a toothbrush with care; after all it is something that will prevent your tooth decay apart from the toothpaste that you use. The bristles must be smooth. Your toothbrush needs to be changed from time to time; at least after every 2 to 3 months.

You can floss once daily to clean out the food strips that get stuck between your teeth.

See a dentist at least once in a year to check whether your teeth and gum is doing fine or not. Get your teeth cleaned by the dentist as well.

Coffee and red wine can lead to stain formation in your teeth. Avoid these drinks and beverages as much as possible. Smoking is also harmful for the gums and the teeth as ell.

Strawberries are the best fruits for healthy and white teeth; have them in abundance. Eat fresh and raw vegetables for clean teeth.

Your diet also affects your teeth and so you must concentrate on what you eat. Dental care is a must for all!!