We believe that a smile can convey many emotions and you should always feel confident in yours! When you don’t, you may find yourself looking for ways to change it. One of the most common ways people wish to adjust their smile is by making their teeth whiter. In 2022, over 35 million people attempted to whiten their teeth.
With the various options out there, it can be challenging to decide which one, if any, is the right fit for you. If you do choose to whiten your teeth, make sure to discuss it with your Smile dentist prior to starting any treatments. They will want to talk about the effectiveness and potential risks involved, as well as ensure the health of your teeth throughout the process!
Teeth Whitening Methods
1. Professional Teeth Whitening
In-office whitening treatments may be the most appealing option based on several factors. This process is not only quick, but it yields immediate results. Smile offers custom bleaching trays and professional strength whitening gel treatments with touch-up kits that you can request at your six-month preventative care appointments. Professional whitening also allows your dentist to monitor the treatments to ensure the integrity of your enamel.
2. Teeth Whitening Toothpastes
This is a simple, and relatively inexpensive, option for those looking to whiten their teeth. Just replace your current toothpaste with a whitening-specific one! Whitening toothpastes contain mild abrasives that assist in removing surface stains and brighten your teeth over time. This method is great for maintaining your current level of whiteness or making subtle changes. The key factor to achieve good results with this method is consistency.
3. Teeth Whitening Strips
These strips are a fairly popular choice amongst people who are looking to whiten their teeth at home. They are easy to use and can be found in most drug stores. You simply place the strips on clean teeth for a designated amount of time each day.While these strips can help you achieve great results at home, they also have the potential to increase tooth sensitivity. If you notice increased sensitivity, stop usage immediately and consult your dentist.
4. LED Teeth Whitening Kits
This may be the most futuristic teeth whitening option. These kits come with a hydrogen peroxide gel, that once applied to your teeth, creates a tacky film. You then place a violet LED light on your teeth for a designated amount of time each day to neutralize yellow in the tooth’s enamel and gradually whiten your teeth.
5. Natural Remedies
While LED lights and whitening strips offer a modernistic approach to teeth whitening, you can also opt for more natural remedies. These methods can range from oil pulling, a traditional practice from India, to adjusting your diet. Because of their teeth whitening properties, you can even integrate baking soda, apple cider vinegar, or charcoal-based products into your oral hygiene routine. You should also make sure you are conscious of the acidic levels of different products because they may weaken your teeth over time.
Though it may be desirable to achieve a pearly white smile, the whiteness of your teeth does not directly correlate to their overall health. Darker spots could be mistaken for stains but might actually be early signs of tooth decay. Excessively bleaching your teeth can also cause increased sensitivity and weaken your enamel. Partaking in any teeth whitening treatments prior to dental consultation can worsen the state of underlying dental issues, making them more difficult to treat.
Whether you choose professional whitening, opt for an at-home option, or forgo whitening completely, we believe that everyone deserves to be proud of their smiles!