Thich Nhat Hanh once said, โBecause of your smile, you make life more beautiful.โ
The most attractive feature a person may possess is a smile. Your smile will shine, and youโll seem younger if you have whiter teeth. Therefore, improving your smile can boost your self-confidence and increase your social prospects.
This article will show you how to get whiter teeth.
Advantages of Teeth Whitening
A tiny smile may make a big difference in our day and the mood of others around us. Although a smile is fleeting, its effect lasts longer. It is a personโs finest expression, offers various health advantages, and quickly elevates their mood.
Therefore, having a pleasing smile that makes a good first impression is crucial. Yes, teeth whitening may enhance your smile and make you seem fantastic.
Whitening your teeth restores the original color of your teeth. Depending on the color of the teeth and the age factor, it can be done in a dental office or at home. One can whiten the tooth up to some extent without disturbing the enamel of the tooth.
It is the hot trend in cosmetic dentistry and quickly enhances the beauty of the face without much time, money, or side effects. Sparkling clean teeth are a sign of healthy oral hygiene practices and gum care.
Points to be Noted Before Teeth Whitening
Teeth-whitening processes work very well for yellow teeth. It can deplete the shade of the yellowish teeth and give them a bright appearance. In most professional teeth-whitening methods, the whitening agent contains a chemical substance named peroxide. So, people allergic to peroxide have to opt for alternative whitening agents.
This procedure is only recommended for children over the age of 16. Because the developing gums will be affected if whitening is done so early. Pregnant and lactating women are advised to plan later.
If there are cavities or caries, additional care is needed. If you have several fillings and crowns, sensitive teeth, or both, talk to your dentist before whitening your teeth. The whitening productโs chemical components may worsen pre-existing bruxism issues and weak gums.
Before teeth whitening, any gum infections or gum recession should be addressed. The whitening procedure will have the biggest impact if your teeth and gums are healthy. You may choose the most effective teeth-whitening methods after a careful inspection of the condition of your gums and teeth.
Your age, genetics, and food habits are the main reasons for the color of your teeth. Gnashing out of stress or grinding the teeth while sleeping could make the edges darker than the usual shade.
If you want to whiten the teeth to restore the original shade, that can be done by teeth whitening; if you want to increase the whiteness of your teeth beyond the original shade of teeth, then bleaching is needed. Remember that tooth bleaching requires the services of trained professionals and dental hygienists.
Excessive fluoride use can result in tooth trauma and intrinsic stains, leading to discoloration. Other mouth problems or improper brushing and flossing can also contribute to tooth color change. Identifying the inherent and extrinsic causes of the stains and discoloration is important.
Medical conditions, certain medications, and dental materials used in fillings and root canal treatment can change the color of teeth. There is no need to be concerned about enamel erosion because, when done correctly, tooth whitening does not affect the tooth enamel or strength of the teeth.
How to Get Whiter Teeth
Following the smile analysis, decisions about the teeth whitening procedure, such as whether it should be performed in a dental office or at home, can be made. Letโs examine the main strategies and insightful counsel dental hygienists and orthodontists provide.
1. Professional Treatment
With in-office teeth whitening, we receive instant results, and the operation doesnโt last more than two hours. The dentists who do in-office dental teeth whitening will examine your teeth and take a photocopy of them for future reference.
After a thorough tooth scaling, a shade guide will be fixed, whitening will be done with all the necessary safety measures and the correct concentration level of the whitening agents to brighten. Your dentist will apply the whitening agents to your stained areas.
They will put a protective gel or rubber covering on your gums, and peroxide gel is applied to the surface of your teeth by skilled specialists at different time intervals. This procedure needs to be done in various episodes to achieve the desired shade of your teeth.
Advanced whitening procedures such as LASER-assisted teeth whitening, Philips DASH teeth whitening, and Philips Zoom teeth whitening are available at various price points. Compared to previous teeth-whitening trends, the results are better and quicker.
Your teeth will be free of tooth stains and look polished after using professional tooth whitening procedures.
2. Try Tooth Whitening Methods at Home
You can also easily whiten your teeth at home by following several simple tricks. Also, let us see some of the home remedies to overcome discoloration of the teeth.
Tooth whitening kits
Many at-home teeth-whitening kits are available nowadays, saving you time by eliminating the need to visit the dentist. You can buy OTC (over-the-counter) teeth-whitening strips, toothpaste, and gels at your dentist. However, you should know how to properly use those whitening strips for even whitening your teeth.
Ensure that every part of the tooth is covered with strips. Otherwise, some corners may have a different shade. If you have crooked or overlapping teeth, this whitening at home is a bit complicated and thus requires extra care and time.
Also, the whitening gels are convenient, and customized mouthpiece trays are available to use the right quantity of whitening gel and solution. Use these tools for 5 to 7 days for completion.
Hospitals or medical supply stores that sell these tooth-whitening kits also provide the instruction manual. Spare some time to study and understand the steps on the product label. If you want mild whitening, then whitening mouthwash is your best option.
Try these at home based on your expected range of teeth whitening, and get ready to show off your gorgeous smile! Choose certified and original products of the same composition. Donโt apply any of these kits for longer than the prescribed time.
Home tooth whitening methods
Removing debris and tooth stains, and reducing gum bleeding, also aids in the reduction of plaque and calculus. Baking soda, a fantastic whitening agent, may make your teeth brighter. Brush with a uniform paste made from baking soda and water. The hydrogen peroxide paste, which has similar qualities to baking soda, is another option. Additionally, you can prepare a peroxide mouthwash and rinse it out for 4 to 6 minutes every day before brushing.
Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide components are present in most whitening toothpaste and inevitable in natural teeth whitening. This fully gets rid of trash and pest accumulation. People also use carbamide peroxide. However, excessive use can harm the gums and irritate them. So, commit to three days per week.
Oil pulling can brighten the teeth and kill bacteria in the mouth. Choose coconut oil, sunflower oil, or sesame oil, and rinse for 10 to 15 minutes for optimum results and works well against tooth decay.
Some people claim that combining strawberries and baking soda can whiten teeth to some extent. It can heal the exposed dentin due to gum recession and enamel erosion. American Dental Association also supports this statement. Consume fruits and vegetables rich in calcium for shiny teeth and to alleviate mouth ulcers.
To whiten your teeth, consume pineapple and papaya, which contain the enzymes bromelain and papain, respectively. Chew high-fiber foods to control the mouthโs acidity and remove yellowish stains; it gives exercise to the entire mouth. Vitamin C helps whiten the teeth and also supports the removal of bacteria from the gums.
Vitamin D-rich foods should be included in the diet because they aid in calcium absorption and the development of strong bones and teeth. Drinking fluoridated water helps remineralize teeth and improves the connections between teeth and nerves.
According to Ayurveda, brushing with neem and babul twigs and tongue scraping can improve the brightness of teeth. Their antimicrobial properties will naturally whiten and enhance the cleaning of the mouth.
Herbal mouthwash is also suggested for better oral health. It reduces tooth tarnishing and prevents discoloration. The herbs triphala or yashtimadhu can be mixed in water and used to rinse. They have the medicinal value of curing all gum diseases.
Peels of orange, banana and lemon help improve tooth color. Activated charcoal also can whiten teeth. However, no scientific evidence is there to support this yet.
People also believe that apple cider vinegar can remove yellow stains from their teeth. It is also believed that lemon juice and a salt brush can whiten teeth.
However, these claims are not proven. Avoid the intake of red wine, coffee, tobacco products, blueberries, and beetroot on the days you try these ideas. Discontinue the methods if you are experiencing high sensitivity, and consult a dentist.
After-care for Teeth Whitening
After whitening the teeth, it is important to monitor your oral care. Some whitening agents may make your enamel more susceptible to food stains. So, brushing and mouth washing after eating any food item is necessary for the initial days after whitening.
If you are experiencing tooth sensitivity and gum irritation, visit a dentist and follow up regularly. Donโt take self-medication because the nerves in our teeth are connected to our brains.
It is a great idea to have healthy oral hygiene that gives you a healthy smile. Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride and whitening toothpaste so that the debris and remnants of food can be completely removed.
Flossing is an effective way to reach the corners and clear away the biofilms. Water flossing is also a fantastic tip to clean the interdental area and remove dirt and teeth stains.
Avoid stain-causing liquors, tobacco, and sweetened items to prevent tooth stains. Foods high in tannin are a primary factor in stained teeth. Use antiseptic mouthwash to clean your tongue and gums. Include calcium-rich foods such as milk, eggs, plain yogurt, and cheese for healthy enamel and teeth. Supplemental vitamin D is very beneficial for maintaining healthy teeth and gums.
Black tea, spinach, and grape juice without sugar are rich in fluoride and can protect the enamel coating and strengthen the internal bonding of teeth and nerves. Garlic, avocado, salmon, tuna, seeds, and nuts play a vital role in tooth strengthening.
Smoking dulls the appearance of teeth and leaves stains on them. Stay away from all nicotine products. Try to reduce the intake of all the foods that can lead to acidity in the mouth and make it more prone to plaque and calculus.
Try an electric brush since it works well for all and automatically adjusts the angles to clean the mouth. While choosing a manual brush, select the one with a flexible body, a small head, and ultra-soft bristles. To remove bacteria from your tongue, use tongue scrapers. Prefer saline mouthwash for rinsing.
Oil pulling and massaging the gum line are good habits to improve blood circulation and strengthen gums. Sugar-free chewing gum increases saliva production and cleanses the nooks and crannies of the mouth.
The results of tooth whitening are temporary. Depending on your maintenance, teeth will only be whiter for a maximum of one or two years. Therefore, ensure that the nerve and tooth endings are as strong as before, repair the planned dental checkups, and touch up the brighter teeth.
You can tailor your teeth-whitening journey by using these tips and suggestions. You may attain a captivating and impressive grin with teeth whitening, and you can let your smile be a great act of love that draws people to you and has a positive, contagious effect on them. A radiant smile!
Last Updated on by K
