Everyone has them and they are one of the first things that are noticed when you greet someone. They say something about you before you have a chance to say anything at all. Teeth. No matter what language you speak, a smile is understood by all. From smirks to cheeky grins, to mega-wide smiles, every smile is original, but one thing they all have in common is that they represent joy. Finding ways to make yours a little more welcoming through whitening has become very popular.
If whiter teeth will boost your confidence, try these tips to achieve the healthiest and brightest smile that you’re looking for.
1. Visit a dentist near you first.
Having a hygienist clean your teeth properly before whitening is necessary. They will remove all the surface stains and tartar build-up that add discoloration. Healthy gums and cavity-free teeth are two requirements needed in order to start whitening, so seeing your dentist first can help make sure you have those things.
2. Start with all-natural teeth whiteners.
Before you start spending your hard-earned cash on bleaching kits and whitening strips, why not try nature’s organic teeth whiteners? There are so many foods that will help brighten your smile in a safer, tastier, and less expensive way. Strawberries, apples, celery, and dairy are some natural teeth whiteners, just to name a few.
3. Don’t go overboard with teeth whitening.
Over-whitening your teeth can weaken your tooth enamel and actually cause your teeth to appear translucent or even gray or blue on the outer edges. More is not always better, especially in whitening. Know when to stop!
4. Sensitivity may occur after whitening your teeth.
While whitening your teeth, and possibly for a short time after, you may experience sensitivity to cold air, chilled drinks, or regularly brushing your teeth. This happens because pores on your teeth are opened during the bleaching process by the chemicals in the bleach. These pores are tunnels that lead straight to the inside of the tooth where the nerve lives. These pores are naturally larger and physically closer to the nerve on the root surface. So patients with existing sensitivity, recession, or root exposure, be advised! Using a high-quality fluoride from your dental office will help in restoring and sealing off the pores again.
5. Baking soda is too harsh for daily use on your teeth.
Many people think that using baking soda to brush with is a safer alternative than whitening products, but actually, it is more physically abrasive, whereas the whitening products use chemicals. Yes, baking soda will remove surface stains from your teeth, but it is so strong that it can eventually cause the enamel of your teeth to erode or weaken. So use it sparingly, and only if your hygienist recommends you to use for surface stains from either smoking, coffee, tea or wine.
6. Mainly teeth with a yellow hue will benefit best from whiteners.
Teeth whitening it almost always successful for people starting with yellow teeth, however, patients suffering from gray or brownish-colored teeth will have less dramatic results.
7. Look at the percentage of peroxide in the product before buying a teeth whitener.
At-home teeth whitening kits contain peroxide varying in percentages from 10% to 20%. If you are new to the whitening game, start with a product with a lower percentage. If you can handle the lower percentage and no problems occur, then pick a product with a higher concentration next time. A rule of thumb is for best whitening results, the higher percentage of bleach exposed to your teeth for a longer time will produce the best results.
8. Bleaching in a dental office is the most effective and safe way to whiten your teeth.
A dentist and the team will be by your side and assure you are happy with your results. This is the best method if you simply do not have time to try this process on your own at home! Results are seen as quickly as one whitening session. It can be costly, but ask your dentist next time you are in!
9. Kids under 13 should not be whitening their teeth.
Children have very porous and sensitive teeth so whitening or bleaching is not advised. Definitely, see a doctor if you’re under the age of 13 and thinking about whitening your teeth.
10. Use a straw when drinking colored beverages to prevent tooth discoloration.
After you sip, be sure to take a quick rinse of water so the culprit liquid isn’t the last thing on your teeth for an extended period of time. A little swish on the go is always in style for your pearly whites!
