Do your discolored teeth make you look older than you really are? Teeth get discolored for a variety of reasons. Some of us have teeth that are naturally less bright than other people’s teeth. Some people inadvertently stain their teeth over time, from smoking or drinking beverages like coffee, tea, red wine, and cola beverages. Others experience tooth discoloration as a side effect of illness or medication.
Options for Whitening Your Teeth
Three options for whitening your teeth are using special whitening toothpaste, using home whitening remedies, and having your teeth whitened in your dentist’s office, or under your dentist’s supervision.
Whitening Toothpaste
Tooth whitening toothpaste is the least expensive and most accessible whitening method around. Many people try toothpaste to brighten their smile before they resort to more expensive whitening treatments. Unfortunately, toothpastes that promote whiter teeth merely remove stains from your teeth by using mild abrasives. They do not actually whiten your teeth.
This is hardly surprising when you consider that toothpaste comes in contact with the surface of your teeth for a very short period of time, and any whitening agents are diluted by saliva and the water you use to moisten your toothbrush.
Home Whitening Remedies
Over-the-counter teeth whitening treatments are the most popular way to brighten teeth. These treatments usually consist of strips coated with bleaching gel that the user adheres to the front six teeth on the top and bottom of the mouth.
The strips are quite effective; teeth are noticeably whiter after a two-week treatment. However, some people report experiencing tooth and gum sensitivity after using bleaching gel; others complain that the taste of the gel remains in their mouth after the treatment is over. Finally, a few people complain that this method whitens their teeth irregularly, leaving discolored areas where the strips don’t adhere completely to the teeth.
Moreover, some people show more than their front six teeth when they smile. Others looking at them may be able to detect a difference in color between the treated teeth and the teeth that were not treated.
Whitening Under Your Dentist’s Supervision
The most effective way to whiten your teeth is to have them professionally whitened by a dentist or hygienist. These professionals can prescribe whiteners that have a more powerful concentration of bleach than the home whitening remedies contain. Your dentist can also craft custom trays to hold the bleaching gel in place against your teeth.
Some dentists use whitening gels in conjunction with a special light that enhances the brightening properties of the gel. These teeth whitening treatments cost more than self-help methods, but they last longer and provide more effective, consistent results throughout you entire mouth, not just twelve front teeth.