Unlocking the Secrets to a Brighter Smile: Top Tips for Teeth Whitening

A bright, shining, and winning smile is every person’s dream. A ‘white smile’ can boost your confidence to thrive in social or professional settings.

But as we age, our teeth’s enamel naturally thins, making them appear discolored. Poor diet or bad habits like smoking can also yellow our teeth. That’s where thoughts of teeth whitening usually enter our mind: Should I get my teeth whitened? Should I have an in-office whitening done? Or can I do it at home? If so, how?

With so many questions regarding teeth whitening, we want to share our top tips for whiter teeth. Read on and unlock the secrets to a brighter smile.

What Exactly Is Teeth Whitening?

Teeth whitening is a dental procedure (a cosmetic one) that aims to lighten your teeth color. Whitening removes discoloration and stains from teeth by applying several techniques.

The most common is using a whitening substance, but some professional ones may use special equipment. Either way, this process primarily focuses on the stains on the outer layer of your teeth.

Most of the time, discolored teeth can happen naturally due to aging. The tooth enamel is abraded, uncovering the yellow-colored dentin. But other causes may be:

• Staining food and drinks: Coffee, tea, red wine, and certain berries stain teeth over time.
• Tobacco products: Smoking and chewing tobacco results in discolored or yellow teeth.
• Bad oral practices: Irregular brushing without flossing may build up plaque and tartar, leading to tooth stains.
• Medications: Some medicines may cause tooth discoloration, especially when your teeth develop in childhood.

With two main methods for teeth whitening, professional or at home, you should weigh in carefully about what option is best for you.

At-home Teeth Whitening Options: Convenient and Affordable

When you whiten your teeth at home by yourself, you will save money. However, the result may not be optimal because the whitening agents are less concentrated. The whitening process is also slower compared to the professional treatment. But the at-home options are certainly more affordable and accessible.

Whitening your teeth at home means you can browse for over-the-counter teeth whitening products in your own time without having to make appointments or plan a return visit. But knowing which whitening products work best for you may take a while.

Here are your options:

• Toothpaste: Some whitening toothpaste is available on the market, including those containing charcoal or baking soda. Look for a toothpaste brand that’s received a Seal of Acceptance from the American Dental Association.
• Mouthwash: Use whitening oral rinses or mouthwashes to maintain already white teeth. But its properties may be less potent in turning yellowing teeth white.
• Gel: Most often, OTC whitening gels contain peroxide. It’s slightly more effective than toothpaste, but it takes longer in your mouth to let it work effectively.
• Strips: Some strips contain similar whitening agents as a dentist’s custom tray, but it’s not as concentrated and, thus, less powerful. But, some claim that using whitening strips is the best treatment at home.

Other Whitening Tips: Oil Pulling and More

Here are our other tips for home treatments that bring a bright smile to your pearly whites.

Try oil pulling

Oil pulling is an old, natural teeth whitening technique where you swish high-quality oil in your mouth to potentially whiten your teeth. It’s a method belonging to the Ayurvedic school of medicine and has recently risen in popularity.

It’s recommended to use coconut or sesame oil. Sunflower oil may work, too. Use a tablespoon of oil and swish it in your mouth for an hour. The oil is believed to remove bacteria, plaque, and other oral toxins. It prevents gum disease, eliminates bad breath, and may result in whiter teeth.

Replace toothpaste with natural ingredients.

You can fight tooth stains and tooth decay with other traditional methods. For example, use baking soda if you run out of toothpaste. Baking soda’s abrasive quality will remove stains effectively.

Another natural tooth cleansing agent you can try is mixing mustard oil and salt. The oil can be used alone in oil-pulling, but adding salt will enhance its properties. The coarse texture of the salt will also remove stains.

Eat healthily

Eating certain foods can help you maintain good oral hygiene. Milk, rich in calcium, is known to be good for your teeth. Other milk products, like cheese and yogurt, may also boost oral health. Fruits like strawberry, pineapple, and papaya suit your dental health.

Get custom trays

This combo method mixes professional and DIY ways. Custom whitening trays are usually available from your dentists, which means it’s professionally created from a mold of your teeth. But some dentists have the ‘takeaway’ version, meaning you can bring it home and use it at home.

Using a custom tray allows the whitening gel to stay on your teeth longer. This will ensure the gel will thoroughly seep into the enamel.

Maintain your oral health

Remember that good oral hygiene can help brighten your smile. Beyond brushing, flossing, and gargling with mouthwash, you must also make a habit of having dental checkups and cleanings. Avoiding sugary, acidic foods, drinks, and tobacco will also help.

In-office Teeth Whitening: The Surest Method

If you want good results guaranteed, you can always go for professional teeth whitening. The results are more immediate than at-home methods because dentists use more potent whitening agents and advanced equipment.

But the cost may be too pricey. Furthermore, you may have to browse for the best dental clinic offering this treatment.

1. Check the dentist’s credibility. Look for reviews and testimonials of this dentist’s past works, and don’t be afraid to ask for before-and-after photos of previous patients. They will give you an idea of what results you can expect.
2. Read up on the process. Professional teeth whitening can use different methods. Some may use peroxide-based whitening gel. Find out the substances in the gel and follow up with your research. Or, if the dentist uses special lighting or equipment, research the process.
3. Discuss allergies or tooth sensitivity. Discuss this with your dentist before whitening if you have allergies or sensitive teeth. Ask for ways to minimize discomfort or apply a desensitizing agent.

Final Thoughts

Several at-home teeth whitening options are available, like over-the-counter products and delving into Ayurvedic practices. Eating healthy fruits and drinking milk will keep your teeth whiter than coffee or tobacco. Getting a custom tray to bring home is also a very recommended option. Discover more teeth whitening options from our team.