Tips to Whiten Teeth at Home
We brush, floss, and use a mouthwash on a daily basis to ensure that our pearly whites stay clean and presentable. Regular oral care also reduces the risk of chronic inflammatory diseases that affect the gums and teeth. However, in the long run, one often invests more in oral hygiene to have their teeth cleaned thoroughly; and professional cleaning services are not the only option. While visits to a dentist are imperative, the market also brims with teeth-whitening and cleaning products that can fetch you effective results, all in the comfort of your home. We enlist a few of them below:
- Teeth-whitening toothpastes
Using a teeth-whitening toothpaste regularly can help you restore your pearly whites. The main difference between these and regular toothpastes is in the formula—whitening toothpastes contain certain mild abrasives that help polish the enamel and clean the surface. Your dentist may recommend a toothpaste that contains a mixture of calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, and even hydrated silica to scrape the food and beverage stains off the outer enamel. Another key ingredient in these toothpastes is hydrogen peroxide, an effective (and safe if used in restricted amounts) bleach that helps remove the bacteria that form due to plaque. It is, however, advisable to not use these toothpastes for a prolonged period of time as an excessive usage of these abrasives can erode the outer layer of the teeth and damage the enamel. - Teeth-whitening strips
Teeth-whitening strips can be explored as an alternative to toothpastes, as they perform a similar function. These strips are designed to scrape off and clean the surface of the teeth to remove food, coffee, and carbonated beverage stains. These strips also penetrate the dentin to remove stains from deep within. However, before purchasing teeth-whitening strips, it is advisable to consult a dentist and assess your options carefully. Crest, Colgate, Lumineux Oral Essentials, and Fairywill are some of the brands that offer teeth-whitening strips. - Teeth-whitening devices
If you are looking for a more professional, thorough, and lasting teeth-whitening technique, then you can go for LED whitening kits. These kits come with a whitening agent that is directly applied to the enamel using an LED blue light. Additionally, the light therapy increases the agent’s effectiveness to deep-clean your teeth. Snow, Colgate, Auraglow, HiSmile, and iSmile are some companies that offer LED teeth-whitening devices.
However, there is a couple of things that you should consider before you buy any of the above-mentioned products. They are:
- Teeth sensitivity
Note that not everyone can use a whitening product; especially not if you have weak teeth or a sensitive enamel. First and foremost, consult a dentist to understand which kinds of products are best suited for your use. - Price
Make a decision based on the frequency of your usage and the overall cost of teeth-whitening that you will incur at home. There are many affordable products on offer. So it is best to compare various prices and products based on your specific requirements to make a wise purchase.