Everyone seems to want a whiter smile, but what is the best way to go about whitening your teeth? It seems like every company on the planet has a product “guaranteed” to give you pearly whites, but it’s hard to know which are gimmicks and which really work. Following are five secrets to whitening your teeth.
1. Use Teeth Whitening Toothpaste
Although it is not going to make a dramatic difference in just a few days, teeth whitening toothpaste is one of the most efficient ways to improve your smile. It might take longer, but you’ll be able to maintain the newer shade of white and it doesn’t cost nearly as much as other products.
You can also brush your teeth with a small amount of baking soda once or twice a week for teeth whitening. The baking soda works similarly to the hydrogen peroxide gels in whitening kits, but at a fraction of the cost. Baking soda can be dangerous, however, so use it sparingly.
2. Apply Crest Whitestrips
According to Good Housekeeping, Crest Whitestrips are one of the most effective at-home teeth whitening solutions. They are placed over the teeth for only about 30 minutes, and are not nearly as messy as the gel-filled trays that cost much more.
Crest Whitestrips will set you back between $25 and $35 at the supermarket or drug store, and they can inspire improvement after just a few sessions.
3. Paint-On Whiteners
If you have just a few teeth that are discolored and look strange next to whiter teeth, paint-on teeth whitening products might be your best option. These allow you to spot-correct problem teeth and are fairly easy to use; they are particularly helpful for discolored cracks and crevices in the surface of teeth.
If you are going to use paint-on teeth whitening products, however, make sure you find one with good bonding power. It should be able to stay on your teeth without becoming diluted by saliva. Otherwise you’ll just waste your money.
4. Custom Bleaching Trays
Many people spend thousands of dollars on over-the-counter bleaching trays that wind up causing irritation to the gums without giving you much results. A better alternative is custom bleaching trays for teeth whitening, which your dentist can assemble for you at your next visit.
The tray is custom-designed for your teeth so it fits better, and you will often find a higher concentration of bleach in the solution provided by your dentist. You might spend $50 or $100 more, but you won’t have to use them as often and it will be more effective.
5. Use a Straw
This isn’t exactly a teeth whitening tip, but more a preventative measure. To keep your pearly whites from getting stained after you’ve taken all this effort, try drinking through a straw. Liquids like coffee, tea and red wine can cause serious staining to the teeth and a straw allows you to limit contact between beverages and your front teeth surfaces.
Source:
Good Housekeeping, Whiten Your Teeth At Home
