If you feel that your teeth are looking stained and discoloured you may be wondering whether a whitening toothpaste could give you a brighter smile. Here, our Langley dentists share some effective ways to whiten your teeth.
As we age, our teeth naturally darken and may become stained and discoloured due to dark pigmented foods and beverages we enjoy, or lifestyle choices such as smoking and other tobacco use. If you are unhappy about the way your teeth look, you may be considering giving a whitening toothpaste a try, but do they actually work?
Whitening Toothpastes
For a whitening product to be effective it must contain hydrogen peroxide. Most whitening toothpastes do in fact include hydrogen peroxide however, the amount of this active ingredient found in many whitening toothpastes is too low to cause the whitening effect, and may not whiten teeth any better than regular toothpaste. That said, whitening toothpastes often contain mildly abrasive ingredients which can help to remove stains and make teeth appear whiter.
Oral Hygiene
If you want to keep your smile bright and healthy, a strong oral hygiene routine is essential. By taking the time to brush thoroughly twice daily (with any toothpaste you like), floss regularly, and visit your dentist for cleanings and checkups twice a year, you can prevent unsightly tartar buildup and remove stains from your teeth.
Tartar is a hard yellowish substance that can build up on teeth as a result of a poor oral hygiene habits. Tartar not only makes your teeth look yellow, it can also lead to some serious dental health problems such as tooth decay and gum disease. To keep your smile looking its best, maintain a thorough oral hygiene routine every day.
Professional Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening (or bleaching) is a simple, non-invasive dental treatment used to change the colour of natural tooth enamel. Professional teeth whitening can be an easy way to enhance the beauty of your smile.
Professional whitening generally involves 3 steps:
- Visiting your dentist to be fitted for your reusable whitening trays;
- Returning to your dentist to pickup your trays, whitening solution, and detailed instructions;
- Using the whitening system at home over the course of several days, as per the instructions provided by your dentist.