Tooth Whitening

Teeth whiteness isn’t necessarily a marker of dental health. It is entirely possible, and in fact common, to have healthy teeth that appear yellow in color. However, some people feel sensitive about the color of their teeth, and tooth whiteness can help to increase confidence and self-esteem.

If you desire whiter teeth, you have a number of options available to you. Some are natural home remedies, while others you must obtain from your dentist for tooth whitening. Here is a list of some of the techniques you can try that have the best chances for success.

1. Lifestyle Changes

One step to whiter teeth is to avoid stains in the first place. This means limiting your intake of foods and drinks that are known to promote tooth discoloration:

• Dark berries
• Red wine
• Soda
• Coffee

You should also avoid using tobacco, whether smoking or chewing it. This will not only prevent staining on your teeth but improve your health overall.

Another way to promote whiter teeth while improving overall health is by eating plenty of fruits and vegetables. Crunching on raw fruits and veggies may combine with your brushing efforts to remove plaque.

2. Chemical Whitening

Your dentist can provide whitening gels that contain chemicals to modify tooth color. There are two ways of accomplishing this. One is a high-concentration treatment that your dentist applies in office, while the other is a low-concentration treatment using custom trays that you obtain from your dentist and apply at home on a daily basis over a span of several weeks. The in-office treatment works more quickly but doesn’t last as long. With the at-home treatment, it takes longer for you to see results, but the effects last longer.

3. Toothpaste Containing Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is a bleaching agent that people sometimes use to lighten their hair. It also has antibacterial properties that can help to whiten teeth. Hydrogen peroxide is used as an ingredient in toothpastes and other commercial whitening products, and evidence demonstrates that these products may be effective in whitening your teeth. However, there is no data to suggest that brushing or rinsing with hydrogen peroxide by itself is effective in this regard, and attempting to do so may be dangerous. Better to use products that are formulated with the right concentration to be safe.

4. Baking Soda

Baking soda has whitening properties, is mildly abrasive to get rid of plaque, and is completely safe to use. When it comes to tooth whitening, baking soda is not a quick fix, but you should see results over time. You can either use toothpaste that includes it as an ingredient or make your own homemade paste from baking soda.

These whitening techniques may be used alone or in combination with one another. Contact our office for questions about dental care.

Resources:

Wikipedia, Dental Care

Alliance Dentistry, Tooth Whitening Morrisville