Your smile is the first thing people are going to notice about you. If your teeth are not pearly white and you have started to hide your smile or not smile at all, it’s time to do something about. Teeth whitening is one of the biggest cosmetics procedures and here is everything you need to know about it.
You can check out The Practice which is a cosmetic dentist nashville, for those who are looking for a dental office that offers professional teeth whitening services. They offer a tailored approach to address unique dental aesthetic concerns for each client including professional teeth whitening treatments to transform smiles with professional precision. Aside from correcting discoloration, The Practice can also help address chips, gaps, or misalignment, and other dental concerns.
Foods We Eat
First of all, let’s break down all the reason why your teeth change color over time. You can think of your teeth as little sponges that absorb anything you eat or drink. Coffee, dark beverages and food will stain your teeth and those stains will turn your teeth yellow over time.
While food can stain your teeth, there are options that can help you to get that pearly white smile. One of those that we recommend you to start with are strawberries. They come with malic acid that acts as a natural astringent which is what you need to remove those tooth discoloration from the surface. Eat it, and it will help, but you can also mash it and use it on your toothbrush.
Onion… Well, We don’t recommend this if you are going on a date later or if you are a plan on being intimate with your partner, and for obvious reasons. It might not help your breath, but it will prevent plaque from forming due to sulfur compounds, have in mind that it needs to be raw. Another benefit of this is that you might brush your teeth when you finish your meal.
Most people love apples, one of the things that most people don’t know is that they are rich in water and are stimulating saliva production. As a result, saliva will wash away bacteria which are one of the reasons for discoloration. Another benefit is that eating apples will strengthen your gums.
We do not recommend you to consume baking soda, but it can help you with plaque and stains.
Cheese is rich with calcium that has a positive effect on teeth and gums. Another thing that helps here is Casein, a milk protein that, according to researches, can help with the reduction of mineral loss.
Good dental hygiene is of crucial importance. You need to brush and floss your teeth regularly and it has also been recommended by a dentist from newburydentalgroup.com to get two preventive checkups per year.
As you probably know, prevention is the best cure. If we are eating healthily and avoid drinking coffee in bulk, we should be fine, no matter which food we turn to. However, there is some food which is the ultimate cleaner. For instance, eating apples will cleanse your teeth and it will feel almost as if you brushed them. They help remove bits of food that may be stuck somewhere in between your teeth. However, apples will not make your teeth any whiter.
Turn To Professionals
The only way to restore the former color of your teeth is to go in for a teeth whitening. You can opt for professional teeth whitening and go see your dentist, or you can try some products on your own at home. There are different products available on the market such as whitening strips, a whitening gel that is applied with a brush, whitening powders, even Blue LED whitening appliances. Moreover, you can opt for whitening toothpaste, but don’t expect overnight results with this one. These kinds of toothpaste are extremely gentle, so some people don’t notice the difference. Dentists recommend them after another treatment to maintain results. When it comes to deciding between these products, the choice is all yours. You can ask your dentist for a recommendation or you can buy a product based on price and reviews.
All these products use one of these two ingredients – hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. These two ingredients are very similar and they will clean your teeth by penetrating the surface of your teeth to reach and clean the stains.
Safety Measures
When it comes to safety, teeth whitening is extremely safe and has been in use for decades now. Clearly, if you are ordering some teeth whitening products online, you have to be extra careful and read the instructions. Furthermore, these products will not damage your teeth. Of course, you shouldn’t whiten your teeth excessively because you can destroy their surface which will only cause additional problems. Another thing you have to be aware of before going for a teeth whitening is that the products will not bleach crowns or bridges, and porcelain veneers. Moreover, don’t be alarmed if your teeth are very sensitive to temperature and pressure. That is completely normal. Sensitivity is one of the side effects but it goes away 12 to 36 hours after the treatment.
Another interesting thing is that you should apply the whitening products on dirty teeth i.e. the teeth that haven’t been brushed. Why? Well, by brushing your teeth you’re removing plaque that many products use to attach better to teeth. If you apply these products on clean teeth you will see that they won’t provide the same results they should. Moreover, it is recommended that you use teeth whitening products before bed, because you won’t drink or eat anything for hours.
Natural Alternatives to Professional Teeth Whitening
If you’re looking for alternatives to professional teeth whitening, there are some natural remedies worth considering. While these methods may not provide as rapid or dramatic results as professional treatments, they can still help brighten your smile over time.
Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide: A mixture of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide can act as a gentle abrasive, removing surface stains on your teeth. However, it’s essential to use this method cautiously to avoid damaging your tooth enamel.
Activated Charcoal: Activated charcoal, when used sparingly, can absorb impurities and stains on your teeth. It’s available in various forms, including toothpaste and powder.
Oil Pulling: This ancient practice involves swishing a tablespoon of oil (usually coconut or sesame oil) in your mouth for about 20 minutes. It’s believed to help remove toxins and stains from your teeth.
Consulting with a Dentist for Safe Whitening
Before attempting any teeth whitening procedure, it’s crucial to consult with a dentist. Dentists can provide personalized recommendations based on your oral health and address any underlying issues that may affect the whitening process.
During your dental consultation, your dentist will evaluate the current condition of your teeth, discuss your whitening goals, and recommend suitable whitening options. They can also advise you on the frequency and duration of whitening treatments to ensure safe and effective results without damaging your enamel or causing sensitivity.
As you can see, the teeth whitening procedure is safe and successful. However, you should not expect your yellow, dark teeth to turn into white pearls after only one treatment, because that is not going to happen. The best thing you can do to protect your teeth is to get your teeth professionally cleaned and whitened once or twice a year.