*This is a collaborative post.
Having white teeth is a common desire as it signifies good health and is an attractive quality. For a while, obtaining pearly whites seemed only possible for the Hollywood elite, but there are now numerous accessible ways to brighten your smile.
However, there are also many myths of quick fixes to tooth discolouration and natural alternatives to chemical whitening products, which can harm your teeth instead. Therefore, before trying any whitening solutions, it’s important to become aware of the possible consequences. In this guide, you’ll find several ways to whiten your teeth and mistakes to avoid.
How To Whiten Your Teeth
To achieve whiter teeth without harming your oral hygiene, there are several cosmetic dental procedures to choose from and responsible habits you can develop.
Seek Advice From Your Dentist
To find the most suitable whitening treatment for you, speak with your dentist to avoid harming your oral health. For example, you may need to avoid teeth whitening products if you have gum disease or severe teeth sensitivity.
Also, visit your dentist once or twice a year to detect and address any issues and remove minor stains.
Undergo Professional Teeth Whitening
If you choose to whiten your teeth, opt for professional treatment for the most effective and safest results. These appointments often involve a dentist applying a bleaching agent to the surface of your teeth and then activating it with a UV light. However, keep in mind that all whitening procedures can cause teeth sensitivity.
Consider Dental Veneers
Dental veneers are thin shells that a dentist bonds to the surface of the tooth. They conceal numerous imperfections, including discolouration and stubborn stains, to instantly improve your smile. If cared for properly, veneers can last for up to 20 years, whereas teeth whitening only lasts for a maximum of three years.
Churchfield Dental offer both porcelain and composite veneers that have different pros and cons. For example, porcelain veneers last longer, appear more realistic, but are more expensive and require permanent alterations to your natural teeth. Whereas composite resin alternatives are cheaper, quicker to install but are more likely to stain and need replacing more often.
Follow An Oral Hygiene Routine
To prevent your teeth from yellowing, you’ll need to follow a good oral hygiene routine involving:
- Brushing the teeth twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste
- Using mouthwash daily but not straight after brushing
- Flossing once a day
- Replacing your toothbrush every three months
On top of this, minimise the risk of stubborn stains by limiting your intake of stain-prone food and drinks such as coffee, tomato sauce, red wine, and fizzy pop. If you do consume them, rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash afterwards.
How Not To Whiten Your Teeth
Following online trends and listening to myths with unproven effects could worsen your teeth rather than help you achieve a picture-perfect smile.
Use Charcoal Toothpaste
Toothpaste containing activated charcoal has become a huge Instagram trend for whitening your teeth, but it can do more harm than good.
Charcoal toothpaste is abrasive and can remove tooth enamel, increasing sensitivity and actually yellowing your teeth. It can also cause stains if it accumulates in the gaps of older teeth.
As charcoal toothpaste doesn’t contain fluoride, it doesn’t protect them from decay or cavities either.
For a safer and more effective option, consider a parodontax toothpaste alternative like LivFresh, which is clinically shown to improve gum health without the harshness of charcoal-based products.
Use One Size Fits All Whitening Trays
Purchasing over-the-counter whitening trays are unlikely to fit your mouth precisely, which may cause the product to leak and irritate your gums and damage your teeth. It’s much safer to use whitening trays that a dentist customises to suit your mouth shape.
Excessive use of at-home whitening products
Accessing at-home whitening products is easy and cheap, making it tempting to over-use them, which can increase your teeth sensitivity.
Use home remedies
Some believe that some natural ingredients, including lemon juice, baking soda, and apple cider vinegar, can whiten your teeth. However, these natural options can weaken the tooth enamel, which may lead to tooth decay, sensitivity, cracks, discolouration, and stains.
Following the correct methods for brightening your teeth will help you achieve a noticeable smile makeover, boost your confidence, and minimise the risk of harming your oral health.
