Over time, our teeth get due to the colors of foods and drinks. Typically, people sought affordable whitening methods than seeking professional help. While there are many teeth whitening products you can buy over-the-counter, MDC near Double Bay, NSW, suggests choosing enamel safe teeth whitening products. This article will discuss what causes teeth stains, the best teeth whitening products, and the possible effects of home whitening treatments on your oral health.
Why Should you Whiten Your Teeth
There are benefits that you could get in whitening your teeth. Tooth discoloration could affect you in so many ways. One of the things that you need to prevent from developing is its impact on your mental health.
You might need to whiten your teeth to boost your self-esteem, which comes with the perfect smile. Many people are also seeking whiter teeth to look younger and prepare for upcoming special occasions.
Causes of Teeth Stains
Teeth stains happen due to several factors, including:
- side effects of gum disease
- poor oral hygiene
- tobacco use
- genetics
- aging
- certain antibiotics
- acidic beverages and foods (soda, tea, spaghetti sauce)
Certain foods and beverages trigger the development of tooth stains. If you want to keep your teeth white, avoid the foods below:
- coffee
- soda
- red wine
- sugary treats
- curry
- blackberries
- barbeque sauce
- marinara
- balsamic vinegar
- paprika
Ways to Whiten Teeth at Home
While there are more popular ways on how to whiten your teeth using professional dental procedures, they could cost you more money than you would imagine. There are some safe and effective teeth whitening methods that you can try at home, such as:
- Using over-the-counter tooth bleaching products with hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide.
- Whitening products with American Dental Association (ADA) seal.
- Stay away from bright colored foods
- Use a whitening toothpaste, whitening pen
- Brush your teeth daily
- Consider brushing with an electric toothbrush as a way to whiten your teeth.
- Look for home teeth whitening remedies like lemon and cider vinegar mixture.
What to Eat for Tooth Whitening
If there are foods that could damage your teeth, there are also foods that are good for the teeth, like:
- Raw onions are rich in sulfur, which protects the teeth against plaque.
- Apples are great in strengthening the gums and promoting saliva production.
- Milk, cheese, and yogurt are excellent choices to strengthen the tooth enamel.
- Strawberries are high in malic acid, which helps to remove stains from the surface of your teeth.
- Broccoli, carrots, nuts, and celery remove the surface stains by scrubbing them off with their abrasive texture.
According to the American Dental Association, teeth whitening kits and methods are only safe for patients with good dental health. It would always be better to consult a medical professional before trying any whitening options. You must talk to your dentist first to avoid sensitivity and other effects of bleaching on your health.
Considering Activated Charcoal?
Activated charcoal is a whitening product that has gained popularity over the years. But dentists warn about the use of this product as it’s not proven to be effective and safe for tooth whitening. In addition, ADA has not given its Seal of Acceptance for this product.
It has also been proven that charcoal can also damage your teeth, apart from the fact that it’s unsafe for the mouth. But how? The abrasiveness of charcoal can destroy the tooth enamel, which is irreversible. Once the charcoal destroys a considerable part of the enamel, it causes the teeth to look more stained. This happens because the charcoal reveals the inner layer of the teeth (dentin), which has a dark shade. When this gets worse, tooth decay may follow.
What About Turmeric?
Turmeric may be a natural component, but it is also not sealed by the American Dental Association. The information about the safety and effectiveness of turmeric in teeth whitening is limited as of this writing.
However, studies show that the astringent property of turmeric hurts enamel. In addition, a recent study was conducted to validate its whitening properties, yet there were no visible signs of changes in the shade of the teeth.
Best Teeth Whitening Options (Enamel-Safe)
Snow All-in-One Whitening Kit. Snow Whitening Kit is the best option for teeth sensitivity and is also safe for gums and enamel. This teeth whitener must be used once a day for 9 minutes. Additionally, it’s also one of the products with the best reviews and high recommendations from its users.
Crest 3D Teeth Whitening Strips. Each pack of Crest 3D Professional Effects Whitestrips Kit has 16 whitening treatments. Fourteen of these whitening treatments are regular whiteners, and the other two are express treatments for the upper and lower teeth.
Crest 3D Whitestrips Sensitive Teeth Whitening Strips. This Crest product contains whitening strips that are safe for people with tooth sensitivity. The strip gels must be applied 30 minutes daily to the teeth for better results.
Colgate Optic White Toothpaste. The Colgate optic white toothpaste has 2% hydrogen peroxide, a safe amount of the chemical that most dentists recommend. It also contains fluoride, which helps protect your teeth against cavities. Brushing your teeth twice a day with Colgate Optic White Toothpaste can remove stains from the surface. However, its effects are not as significant as professional tooth whitening done in your dentist’s office.
AuraGlow Whitening Pen. AuraGlow Whitening Pen is an excellent option for people on the go. This product guarantees instant results in one use and coats your teeth quickly. What’s even better is that it has an ergonomic design that is pretty convenient for people who are always outdoors. For better results, you may use AuraGlow Teeth Whitening Kit first.
Effects of Dental Bleaching Products
Some of the most common complaints about the mentioned products include tooth sensitivity and gum irritation. If this is the case, it would be wiser to see your dentist immediately. The gravity of the effects has been linked to how often the treatment was used and the amount of peroxide present on the product.
Overall, almost all kinds of home dental whitening products pose potential risks. If you want to stay on the safe side, seek treatment from your dentist or professionals only.
Reference:
Safest Ways to Whiten Teeth (https://www.newmouth.com/blog/safest-teeth-whitening/)
