We are all obsessed with bright white smiles like those we see on our TV screens and at the movies. While most of us have pearly whites as kids, over time, a lot of factors combine to reduce the whiteness and even lead to staining. More and more people today are looking for ways to whiten their teeth to improve their smiles, and it’s high time we separate the truths from the myths and rumors in regards to teeth whitening:
A lot of things will impact your teeth whiteness.
Over time, the food you eat, coffee, tea, red wine and smoking can stain your teeth and make them less white and even discolored. Genetics can also enter the mix too!
Regular brushing and flossing will help!
Brushing and flossing regularly will make it hard for tartar (which also discolors the teeth) to form.
Professional teeth whitening can help too.
Professional whitening treatments done by an expert can help you lighten your natural shade without side effects like severe sensitivity, which can happen with over-the-counter products.
Products used in this case usually have hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide as the active ingredient, which, when broken down, allows oxygen to reach the enamel, making the color significantly lighter.
Whitening products are greatly limited.
There are a lot of whitening products available today, but most of these only remove stains accumulated over time. Tooth color depends on genetics and is set at birth.
Many of the teeth-whitening products you’ll find in stores have no more than 0.1 percent hydrogen peroxide as their legal concentration, and this is too low to achieve any significant result.
A dentist, on the other hand, will use 6 percent hydrogen peroxide for professional teeth whitening. This is a whopping 6,000 times stronger.
Only dentists can legally perform teeth whitening – in some places.
In most of Europe, for example, you would be breaking the law if you tried to whiten your teeth without a dentist. Beauticians and mall kiosks in these places are illegal, mainly because they pose a significant risk to your oral health, going forward.
For more information on professional teeth whitening or other dental issues, contact Dr. Norman at 425-366-7983.
