If years of coffee, tea, or red wine has left your pearly whites looking a bit more dull and yellowed, you don’t have to keep hiding your smile. There are several ways to whiten your teeth to restore a healthy, younger look and reduce the effects of stains and age. Today, we’ll look at the five most effective methods to safely return the natural whiteness to your smile as well as the one popular whitening trick you should never do!
Practicing Excellent Oral Hygiene
The number one thing you can do to brighten your smile is to ensure you’re practicing appropriate teeth cleaning. Brushing twice a day with a toothpaste containing fluoride can help remove stains and prevent additional staining from occurring. Plus, plaque can give teeth a yellowed appearance, and brushing and flossing is key to removing plaque and preventing tartar buildup.
Whitening Teeth with Baking Soda
Once thought to be too abrasive for safe teeth whitening, a recent study from the Journal of the American Dental Association shows that baking soda is one of the safest and most effective ways to whiten your teeth. Its mild abrasive properties gently buff stains from teeth while its antibacterial properties can give you an extra boost of protection against gingivitis and decay. However, a small amount is all you need – ½ teaspoon mixed into a paste with a teaspoon of water is plenty, and only use it a few times per week to avoid excess abrasion.
Whitening Toothpastes
Using a whitening toothpaste in place of your traditional toothpaste is a simple, healthy way to remove stains on the surface of your teeth. Because it doesn’t contain peroxide, it’s not an immediate effect – twice daily brushing often takes about a month to really show a change in how teeth look. However, it’s one of the easiest ways to whiten your teeth when used according to manufacturer’s directions (ie: don’t try and speed up the effects of a whitening toothpaste by brushing excessively or using large quantities of toothpaste!) and is especially helpful in maintaining a professionally whitened smile.
Professional Teeth Whitening
To see a drastic difference in the look of your teeth, consider professional teeth whitening from a cosmetic dentist in Cary. This method is not only safe and effective, you see results almost immediately and they last for months! In around an hour and a half, a specially formulated peroxide solution removes years of staining caused by smoking, coffee, and even certain medications and restores a gleaming, white smile! Even if the yellowing is severe, a few treatments are typically all it takes to achieve your goal.
Avoid Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal toothpastes are very “in” right now, promising to remove impurities and absorb stains. While it sounds great in theory, there’s no proof that this actually works. Not only has the American Dental Association refused to give it a Seal of Acceptance, the Journal of American Dental Association speaks out against it.
Activated charcoal is a highly abrasive substance that can erode the enamel and actually lead to additional yellowing (the dentin below tooth enamel is darker and appears yellow) along with a higher likelihood of experiencing tooth decay. Instead, stick with the trusted ways to whiten your teeth listed above!
Call Us Today To Schedule Your Teeth Whitening Procedure
If you’re tired of feeling self-conscious of your smile or feeling like your yellowed teeth make you look older, professional teeth whitening is for you! If you’re seeking a teeth whitening dentist in Cary, schedule your consultation today to transform your smile and boost your confidence! Just give us a call at 919-467-0654 or visit our contact form!