Brighten Your Smile

HEALTH & BEAUTY HEALTH

CONSIDERING YOUR OPTIONS WHEN IT COMES TO TEETH WHITENING

By Dylan Roche

Want a whiter smile? You’re not the only one. According to a survey by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the one thing most people would like to change about their pearly whites is getting them a little more…well, white. Things like food, beverages, smoking, and even aging can all contribute to stains and discoloration of your teeth.

What’s the secret to cleaning those stains away? Your easiest and fastest solution is professional whitening, but this option may not be necessary for teeth with only minimal stain. Your over-the-counter and DIY options aren’t perfect, but if used correctly, you can still expect to see some decent results.

FIRST, TALK TO YOUR DENTIST. Even if you’re not getting an in-office professional whitening done, you should still have your dentist’s guidance and go-ahead on anything you plan to do with your teeth. In the case of whitening, you could potentially end up doing yourself more harm than good. Tooth whitening products can be harsh and uncomfortable on sensitive teeth, particularly those with receded gums. If you have cracks or cavities in your teeth, your dentist will need to seal them lest your tooth pulp react poorly to or become irritated by the whitening. When you’re going through products on the shelf at the grocery store or pharmacy, keep an eye out for those that bear the seal of the American Dental Association (ADA), which holds products to a high standard and approves only those that have been proven safe and effective. Some of your options will be:

Toothpaste: Some toothpaste will make advertising claims that they can lighten your teeth, usually because they contain additional ingredients, such as a mild abrasive for removing stains. However, you should not expect toothpaste to lighten your teeth more than a shade or two.

Strips: Just place these disposable strips along your teeth and let them sit for a few minutes while the whitening solution does its work. After using them consistently for a week or two, you’ll notice a difference—but the downside is that the strips can sometimes be difficult to keep in place. There’s also the problem of your saliva getting under the strips and diluting the whitening solution.

Trays: Over-the-counter whitening kits come with trays that you place over both your upper and bottom teeth to apply the whitening solution. Unlike strips, they don’t slip out of place as easily and there’s less risk of saliva getting in there to dilute the whitening solution. But over-the-counter trays are specifically designed for your teeth and might not fit perfectly, so there is still the possibility that you can get whitening solution on your gums and irritate them.

Mouthwash: It sounds easy enough to swish twice a day with the hopes of getting your teeth whiter, but don’t waste your time— mouthwash isn’t exposed to your teeth for long enough to make much of a difference.

OR YOUR CAN GO ALL NATURAL! If you’re looking for a home remedy to treat those stains on your teeth, try baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. Baking soda is a natural whitening agent that can remove stains from laundry, tile grout, and, yes, even your teeth. It’s why some toothpastes contain baking soda as