A beautiful smile can significantly enhance your appearance;clean, shiny teeth can make that smile 10 times better. Teeth whitening is one of the most sought-after procedures to improve the appearance of your teeth and smile. Many methods are used to whiten your teeth, each with specific pros and cons. As a professional dentist performing teeth whitening in Scarborough, ON explains, you can whiten your teeth at home or get them done in a dentist’s office. The method you choose highly depends on your oral health, so make sure to check with a professional before you start your teeth whitening journey for a healthy, bright smile. In this article, you can learn more about each process and pick and choose based on your preferences.
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At-home Teeth Whitening
There are many products to check out that can help you whiten your teeth from the comfort of your home. From whitening toothpaste, strips, and gel trays to more natural ways like oil pulling or baking soda.
Whitening Toothpaste, Strips, and Gel Trays
The toothpaste, strips, and gel trays use Peroxide-based solutions to whiten your teeth. You should choose your preferred product based on your teeth’ sensitivity level and dental restorations like fillings, bridges, or crowns. Depending on the product’s strength, you could see results in a few days or months. Each of these products will come with specific instructions you need to follow; using them more than the recommended amount may harm your teeth and gums and make them more sensitive. These methods are cheaper and easier to access for the general public. Still, they may not provide the desired results as they do not contain a high concentration of the whitening solution and can only lighten your teeth by one shade.
Natural Whitening Methods
If you prefer to avoid the over-the-counter methods and want to look into more natural remedies for yellow teeth, oil pulling and brushing with baking soda can help you with that.
Oil pulling involves taking a small amount of oil and swishing it around to cleanse your mouth and teeth and help remove harmful bacteria. While very popular, this method has not been proven to whiten teeth and can only help with further cleansing and preventing yellow teeth. However, brushing your teeth with a mixture of water and baking soda can impact your teeth’ color.
Professional Teeth Whitening
If the at-home methods can not satisfy your needs, going the professional route might be the best option for you. With 2-3 visits to the dentist’s office, you can achieve more dramatic results that can last you a few years with proper aftercare. During these sessions, the whitening gel, which usually contains a high concentration of carbamide or hydrogen peroxide, is applied to your teeth. A special light or laser is used on your teeth to activate the gel and begin the whitening process. However, this method is more expensive and takes more time, as each whitening session can last up to two hours.
Overall, if the color of your teeth bothers you, keep in mind that whitening your teeth will not improve their health, and it is solely a cosmetic procedure. However, if you insist on it, choosing a safe and appropriate teeth whitening approach is crucial for oral health. So do your research, and choose wisely for the best results.
