Everyone wants to whiten their teeth. A beautiful white smile is one of the best signs of good health and living, and it makes an excellent impression.
But with so many different ways to whiten your teeth, from whitening toothpaste to teeth whitening strips, to in-office visits, to home remedies like apple cider vinegar, it can be hard to know what is the right teeth whitening method. In this article we hope to shed a little light on how you can remove stains, avoid tooth decay and side effects, and get whiter teeth.
In-office bleaching is the fastest way to get a bright white smile. In the dentist’s office, medical grade teeth whitening products are applied directly to the teeth. Often this will be combined with the use of lights, lasers, or heat. The teeth whitening that you can get from an in-office bleaching can’t be matched by over-the-counter products like teeth whitening strips and tooth whitening toothpaste.
Of course, this doesn’t all happen overnight. To get the full effects of teeth whitening bleaching, you have to see your dentist for several appointments.
And it needs to start with good oral hygiene, brushing and flossing, and a cleaning appointment with your dentist. The dentist will check for cavities or other problems with your oral health that could slow down the process.
How Do I Keep My Teeth White?
You have to remember that one teeth whitening session is never permanent. After you get your teeth whitened-however you choose to go about it-you need to make sure you brush your teeth religiously, and you need to avoid foods that can stain your teeth. This includes red wine, colas, black tea and coffee, berries and dark-colored juices, and dark sauces including soy and curry.
Of course, you’re not expected to stop living your life. You’ll still be able to enjoy these things, but you should do it in moderation.
What is the healthiest way to whiten my teeth?
When removing surface stains on teeth, at home or in the office, there can be concerns if you have sensitive teeth. Tooth sensitivity is a big concern, especially because there are so many home remedies purported to whiten teeth which can be dangerous.
The best ways to whiten your teeth at home, healthfully, are:
- Whitening strips: Although these won’t work as fast or as completely as in-office bleachings, they’re still effective and can have few to no side effects on sensitive teeth.
- Whitening toothpaste: there are many tooth whitening toothpastes available. They’re good and won’t hurt your teeth, but they’ve also been shown to only increase the whiteness of your teeth by one or two shades.
- Baking soda: brushing softly with baking soda (an abrasive) can remove stains from teeth without any harsh chemicals.