Having your teeth whitened can really boost your confidence and help you feel good about your appearance. You may also want white teeth for a special occasion, where lots of pictures will be taken. There are many routes to white teeth, from whitening treatments in your dentist's office to take-home bleaching treatments. This short guide will explain three steps towards white, healthy-looking teeth.
Try Over-The-Counter Treatments
The best method of whitening your teeth will depend on the current colour and your desired colour. If you only want to go a few shades whiter, you can buy many different types of whitening toothpaste and mouthwash in your supermarket. You simply use this instead of your usual products, and your teeth will get whiter over the course of a few weeks. Look online for reviews, or ask friends what worked for them. However, if you feel like your teeth need to be significantly whiter, or if you're on a strict deadline (for example, you want white teeth for an upcoming wedding), you should speak to your dentist. This is because one of the main ingredients used to whiten teeth is hydrogen peroxide, and as ADIA explains, it is illegal for this to be sold in high-enough concentrations to the general public, and only dentists can dispense it.
Experience Professional Whitening
If you want significantly whiter teeth, you will need to speak to your dentist. There are two types of treatment they can offer – take-home bleaching treatments or in-office whitening – and they will be able to suggest which might suit you best. The latter, which takes place in your dentist's office, has the advantage of being quick, but as the Consumer Guide to Dentistry explains, is typically more expensive than the take-home version. If you opt for a take-home bleaching treatment, your dentist will give you a mouthguard and a whitening gel, which they will explain to you. You'll need to use it as specified on a regular basis over a few weeks. If you want to know more about take-home bleaching, speak to your dentist.
Learn How To Keep Your Teeth White
There is currently no whitening treatment that has a permanent effect, and while you will see the benefit of your at-home bleaching treatment for weeks or months to come, you will eventually need to repeat the treatment. However, there are things you can do to prevent your teeth from becoming stained again. Cosmopolitan explains that there are certain things you should avoid eating and drinking, such as coffee, red wine and beetroot, that are notorious for staining teeth. You should also avoid smoking, as well as taking good care of your teeth in general by brushing, flossing and using mouthwash on a regular basis. If you want more information on keeping your teeth white, your dentist will be able to give you some tips.
If you are at all interested in having whiter teeth, speak to your dentist to get an idea of what would be best for you. Everyone's teeth are different, but your dentist will be able to provide more information about what would suit your needs.
