The desire for a whiter, brighter set of teeth makes many people resort to various means to whiten their teeth. As teeth naturally lose their brightness as we age, everyone feels the need to brighten their teeth at some point in life.
There have been many attempts to achieve this, from gargling apple cider vinegar to oil pulling. You can whiten your teeth by either using home remedies or at the dentists’.
Home remedies for teeth whitening
Brightening your teeth using household items is usually very safe. However, the importance of brushing your teeth twice daily and flossing daily cannot be overemphasized.
The other popular methods might not work to satisfaction as there is little to no scientific evidence that they are effective, so they might not even work at all.
- Avoid cigarette smoking
- Limit intake of colored drinks like red wine
- Drink an adequate amount of water
- Eat calcium-rich foods
- Brush with baking soda
- Eat lots of fruits and vegetables
Over-the-counter teeth whitening products
Before you whiten your teeth using store-bought items, first, you must consult your dentist. This is even more important if you have sensitive teeth or have had fillings before.
Store-bought items used for whitening include:
- Whitening toothpaste
- Whitening rinses
- Whitening strips
- Whitening gel
Seeking a professional touch
Booking an appointment with a dentist Narre Warren is the first step to take when intending to whiten your teeth however you want to go about it. It is also important to know that you stand a chance of harming your enamel and gums if you whiten your teeth without seeking professional advice.
Teeth whitening at the dentists’ is usually done using chemicals, light or both.
Laser or power whitening
To do this, the dentist places a tray filled with a whitening agent in your mouth for about 30 minutes. The dentist then shines a laser into your mouth with the tray still inserted to quicken the whitening process. This whole process is done without using anesthesia as it is entirely painless.
However, laser whitening is unsafe for children younger than 16, pregnant women, and nursing mothers.
Bleach whitening
The dentist uses hydrogen peroxide of higher concentration than those available over the counter to whiten your teeth. This guarantees you a brighter set of teeth in less time.
This method is more suitable for nursing mothers and can also be used by pregnant women if the need arises, although it is not usually recommended.
How effective and safe is teeth whitening?
People with yellow stains or yellow teeth usually get the best results after whitening their teeth, while people with brown teeth will notice slight improvement. If you have purple or gray teeth, whitening would most likely not work at all for you.
When performed by a dentist, whitening is totally risk-free. You might only experience a slight pain that resolves within a couple of hours.
The brightness of your smile depends on how white your teeth look. Achieving pearly white is possible and can be completely risk-free and safe if you visit a dentist. However, if you choose to do it yourself, remember to take the necessary precautions.
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