Top 10 Teeth Whitening Tips
Bright, white teeth give your face an instant makeover, making your smile look healthy, young, and flash-worthy. It is no surprise, then, that teeth whitening remains one of the most high-demand treatments at dentists office. Regular brushing and flossing can help you remove surface stains, but when stains become embedded in your enamel, teeth look stained and yellow. If you are looking for ways to whiten your teeth, check out these top 10 tooth whitening tips.
- Consult with your dentist – Teeth and gums must be healthy and clean before you begin any teeth whitening treatments, so schedule a visit with your dentist for a full mouth exam and professional cleaning. Patients with cavities or gum disease will have to postpone treatment until their teeth and gums are restored. Even if your dentist gives you a clean bill of health, he will want you to undergo a professional cleaning to make the teeth whitening treatment more effective.
- Laser whitening – Laser whitening is an in-office treatment that uses special laser lights to achieve the most dramatic results in one visit. After taking great care to protect your gums and lip tissue, your dentist will apply a whitening gel with a high concentration of peroxide to your teeth’s enamel. A special laser light is then directed onto your teeth to activate the whitening solution. The heat from the laser accelerates the bleaching reaction, making the process quick and yielding teeth that are up to 10 shades whiter.
- In-office whitening – Having your teeth whitened at your dentist’s office ensures that you receive the highest concentration of peroxide available while under the supervision of an oral care professional. After performing a full mouth exam and professional cleaning, your dentist will directly apply a whitening gel onto your teeth with a brush or customized mouth tray. Dentists apply the whitening gel, which consists of 15 to 35 percent hydrogen peroxide, to your teeth for several minutes, rinse it off, and reapply several times. The total process can take up to 40 minutes and generally achieves white teeth up to 6 shades brighter.
- Prescription whitening treatments – Dentist-dispensed home white whitening kits are an option for patients who prefer to whiten teeth in the comfort of their home. Your dentist will prepare a take-home whitening kit that will include a customized mouth tray made from an impression of your teeth and highly concentrated whitening gel. Take-home kits use lower concentrations of peroxide than the whiteners used in your dentist’s office, but they can be applied to your teeth for a longer period of time, often yielding longer-lasting results.
- Porcelain Veneers – Veneers are the best option for anyone who is looking for permanent results. Veneers are fingernail-thin shells that are adhered to the front surface of your teeth, covering any flaws, such as discoloration, chips, gaps, or misalignments. The process takes two visits. During the first visit, your dentist will make impressions of your teeth, which will be the blueprints of your customized veneers. When the veneers are ready, your dentist will etch a thin layer of your enamel and then adhesively bond the veneers.
- Over-the-Counter Products – Whitening products found at the store may not yield the same results as your dentist’s whiteners, but they will help you maintain your white teeth. If you are an avid coffee or tea drinker, for example, you could benefit from using over-the-counter products in between whitening treatments at your dentist’s office. Over-the-counter whiteners come in strips, trays, and brush-ons. Look for products that have the highest concentration of peroxide.
- Whitening Toothpastes –Use a whitening toothpaste once or twice a week to prevent yellowing. Keep in mind all toothpaste that remove surface stains, like the ones you use on a regular basis, are technically whiteners. Look for toothpastes with high concentrations of peroxide and use them once every couple of weeks to get your pearly whites bright.
- Avoid stain-causing foods and beverages, such as wine, coffee, and treats loaded with food coloring. Use a straw when drinking soda, tea, or juice to minimize exposure to your enamel.
- Follow the American Dental Association’s recommendations for good dental hygiene – Brush your teeth at least twice daily to remove surface stains before they become embedded in your enamel and floss at least once daily to remove plaque.
- Visit your dentist every 6 months for a professional cleaning to keep your smile white and bright.