As the holidays approach, you're going to be spending a lot of time smiling and talking – both with close friends and people that you only see a few times a year. You want to make sure that you're making the best possible impression, and that includes taking care of your teeth. Luckily, there are a few things that you can do at home to help keep your smile looking its best between visits to your dentist for whitening treatments.

Oil Pulling

Although the process has only recently gained most of its notoriety among mainstream consumers, oil pulling has been in practice for many years. It is the process of gargling a couple of tablespoons of plant oil, such as sesame seed oil, for fifteen minutes. This is then followed by thoroughly rinsing your mouth with warm water. Over several weeks of repeated treatments, the oil can help to combat plaque buildup and gingivitis, leaving your mouth healthier. It also has some anti-microbial benefits, which can help combat oral infections.

Hydrogen Peroxide Treatments

The primary active ingredient in most of the home whitening kits for teeth is hydrogen peroxide. Add some 3% hydrogen peroxide solution to an equal amount of water, then use it as a mouth rinse. Swish it around in your mouth for a minute or two daily before you brush your teeth.

Be prepared for the peroxide to foam slightly. This is a natural response to the bacteria in your mouth. If your peroxide solution starts foaming, that's how you know it is doing the job right.

Baking Soda Scrubs

Baking soda is another natural whitener. Create a paste of baking soda by wetting your toothbrush and then pressing the bristles into a small amount of baking soda. Brush with the baking soda for a couple of minutes, covering every tooth.

After brushing, rinse your mouth completely. Do this a couple of times a week to help keep stains at bay and ensure that your teeth are picture-perfect and white. Always follow your baking soda treatments with a full brushing using a fluoride toothpaste to help protect your teeth from other damage.

The holidays are full of sweets and rich foods that can wreak havoc on your teeth otherwise. So, in addition to keeping them white with baking soda, always make sure that you brush a couple of times daily.

These home whitening remedies will help you to keep some of the surface stains at bay as you approach the holiday season. To keep your teeth looking their whitest for those family portraits, talk with a cosmetic dentist at BayView Dental Arts or a similar organization about your professional whitening options.