What’s The best way to whiten teeth?

Thanks to advancements in dentistry, teeth whitening treatments are now more accessible and effective than ever before. One of the world’s largest industries, it promises to make people happy all around the globe by giving them whiter, straighter teeth.

What is teeth whitening?

Tooth whitening can be a very effective way to make your teeth lighter without removing any tooth surfaces. It can’t completely change the color, but it might make the shade lighter.

How do you whiten your teeth?

Your dentist will use a tray that fits in your mouth like a mouthguard to put whitening products on your teeth. Your dental team can tell you if you are a good candidate for the treatment.

Usually, hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide is the “active ingredient” in the product. As the active ingredient breaks down, oxygen gets into the teeth’s enamel, which lightens the color of the teeth.

Ways to whiten your teeth

If you want a whiter smile, several teeth whitening options are available. Many opportunities exist for whitening your teeth, from toothpaste to natural whiteners to over-the-counter strips to custom trays and gels created specifically for you by a dentist.

1. Toothpaste that whitens

All toothpaste help eliminate surface stains caused by coffee, tea, and other things you do every day, but whitening toothpaste has extra chemicals that make your teeth look whiter. Even though this method works a little bit, it is essential to remember that most whitening toothpaste use abrasives to polish the teeth, which can wear away the enamel. You should use a whitening toothpaste daily; it may take a few weeks to see your desired results.

2. Whiteners that come from nature

Natural teeth whiteners are cheap and easy to find. Baking soda, charcoal, apple cider vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, and strawberries are all-natural ways to whiten teeth. Some of these methods, like apple cider vinegar, strawberries, and charcoal, use acid and abrasives, which wear away the surface enamel of your teeth and speed up the aging process. Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide make your teeth shiner, but using too much can cause irritation and sensitivity. 

3. Whitening strips you can buy over-the-counter

Whitening strips can be found at most drug stores and are one of the most popular ways to whiten teeth. Whitening strips are cheap and work well. The effects last six months to a year. Depending on the peroxide, you may not see results for up to seven days. So, this method might be suitable for a one-time event, but it’s not a good way to do things.

4. Trays and gels that whiten

You can buy whitening trays and gels over the counter or from your dentist. This method does more than just get rid of surface stains. Instead, it focuses on lightening the color of the teeth as a whole, which makes it more effective than the other methods. Depending on how much peroxide is in the gel, it could take anywhere from three days to a couple of weeks to see results. Over-the-counter trays only come in one size and could let the gel touch your gums, which could cause irritation and sensitivity. When you buy trays and gels from your dentist, they are safer and work faster because the trays fit your teeth properly, and the gels have more vital bleaching agents.

5. Teeth-whitening did by a professional

Professional teeth whitening or in-office teeth whitening is the fastest and most effective way to whiten teeth. The process takes up to an hour and can make your teeth two to eight shades whiter, with results lasting up to five years. Professional teeth whitening is the most expensive option, but the results are visible right away and are very good.

Summary

Even if you decide to whiten your teeth at home, you should still have a professional cleaning of your mouth first. You might only need a good cleaning to make your smile shine again.

During the exam, your dentist will check for cavities and see how healthy your gums are. Your mouth should take care of any problems before whitening.

Ask your dentist in Dallas, TX, what over-the-counter system you should use and how much your teeth will lighten. Teeth get darker with age, but how much they change depends on the person.