If your smile is not as bright as it used to be and you would like to have it looking its best in time for the Christmas festivities, there are various ways that you can do just that – some are better than others.
In fact, if you do a simple Google search for the key phrase, ‘how to make your teeth white’, it will return a plethora of hints, tips, and tricks, some of which work and some sadly, which don’t!
With this in mind, we’re going to expel the myths surrounding teeth whitening and tell you the sure-fire ways that you can achieve whiter teeth in time for the Christmas holidays. So without further ado, let’s pe in…
Firstly, natural home remedies
Some people are concerned about the chemicals used in teeth whitening products (more about this later) and understandably, are looking for natural remedies they can use at home to whiten teeth. However, while techniques like oil pulling, brushing with baking soda and eating strawberries rich in malic acid are thought to exfoliate teeth to keep them looking bright, there is no scientific evidence to prove that any of these methods actually remove deeper staining. For this reason, and in all honesty, they probably aren’t the answer.
So what about the next step up?
Commercial teeth whitening products
Over the counter teeth whitening products are big business. In fact, the commercial teeth whitening sector is said to be worth somewhere in the region of 4 billion US dollars rising to 6.6 billion by 2025. But do they actually give you whiter teeth?
Yes and no!
In reality, it depends on the product. Teeth whitening products that you buy over the counter come in a variety of forms and can be something as simple as teeth whitening toothpaste costing just a few dollars through to whitening gels, pens, strips and even sonic light devices costing several hundred dollars.
So let’s start with the basics…
For a product to remove deep teeth stains, it needs to contain hydrogen peroxide or derivatives thereof, such as carbamide peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide has been proven to remove ingrained teeth staining and if used in the right way is also safe for teeth.
The problem with many commercial teeth whitening products is that they contain very little (if any) hydrogen peroxide. This is a legality or condition of sale here in Australia and means that if you do buy a commercial teeth whitening product like gels, strips or pens then (A) – they will be safe to use but (B) – there is no guarantee that they will do what you want them to do.
Even when results are achieved, it can take a considerable time and may only whiten teeth by one or two shades.
The other problem, particularly with popular teeth whitening products like whitening strips is that they are manufactured for the masses. Unfortunately, not all teeth are perfectly aligned, and you could find yourself whitening sections of your teeth and not all of your teeth.
So, when looking into how to make your teeth white in time for the Christmas holidays perhaps commercial whitening products aren’t the way to go.
There is, however, a third option which is arguably your best chance of achieving whiter teeth and that’s through professional teeth whitening.
So what is professional teeth whitening exactly?
Unlike over the counter products that incorporate low-dose bleaching agents, professional teeth whitening uses a significantly higher concentration of hydrogen peroxide and takes place under carefully monitored conditions. For these reasons, it can only be carried out by a registered dental professional.
People have two options when it comes to achieving whiter teeth and that’s either through:
- Take-home whitening kits – used in the comfort of your own home or,
- Chair-side teeth whitening – carried out in the dental chair by your dentist
So, what’s the difference?
Take-home kits incorporate custom trays which are filled with the hydrogen peroxide whitening gel. These are then worn over the teeth either for a few hours during the day or overnight, whereas chair-side teeth whitening treatment is carried out at the dental clinic in the presence of your dentist.
Either way, patients should expect a whiter brighter smile that is proven to work.
How so?
Because, when used in the right way, a higher concentration of hydrogen peroxide can eradicate most ingrained staining caused by foods, beverages and even tobacco, leaving you with brighter, whiter teeth and a more confident smile.
In terms of timescale, custom take-home kits typically take somewhere between 10-14 days to achieve results, whereas chairside whitening can yield results in as little as 1 hour.
How to make your teeth white – The key takeaway
If you are looking to achieve whiter teeth in time for the festive season, it really does pay to talk to your dentist. They are well-placed to help you achieve the brighter white smile you want and more importantly, it will be carried out safely.
Your dentist will, for instance, give you a thorough examination to ensure your teeth and gums are in good condition before allowing you to undergo whitening treatment; and because treatment is customised to your needs and monitored, it’s completely safe.
Moreover, many professional whitening treatments contain natural products that limit sensitivity, so you shouldn’t experience any aftercare issues either.
If you fancy brightening up your smile in time for the Christmas holidays, then come and talk to the team at Riverlands Dental. We provide both take-home and in-chair whitening treatments using proven products that work.
Call us today at (02) 4501 7930 and book your appointment and let us show you just what we can do.
