A bright and confident smile can work wonders, boosting your self-esteem and leaving a lasting impression. While professional teeth whitening at the dentist’s office is a popular option, it can be costly ($300 -$600 per treatment) and result in more sensitivity than other approaches. Advancements in at-home whitening treatments have made achieving that radiant smile more convenient than ever.
Here’s the tricky part: There are many options for at-home whitening products. This guide will help you pick the right products to make your whitening process quick and effective.
Surface Stains vs. Intrinsic Stains
You’ve had the same teeth since you were 10 years old; it’s normal for them to have some stains. You don’t need to feel bad about this. It’s important to know that your teeth can be stained in two different ways, so it takes more than one method to get your teeth shining as brightly as possible.
Surface stains are generally contained in the biofilm that inhabits your mouth and the outer surface of your enamel. The biggest defense against surface stains is the mechanical action of brushing your teeth. For removing surface stains, you should be using a powerful sonic toothbrush twice a day as well as some form of whitening toothpaste.
Using a mildly abrasive toothpaste can help remove stains more quickly. While there have been some toothpaste fads, including charcoal and baking soda, many options can be overly abrasive. Make sure the paste isn’t too gritty or that you are not brushing too hard. Excessive grit and pressure can damage enamel, dentin and gum tissue, leading to gum issues and tooth sensitivity — definitely not what you want if you are starting a whitening treatment.
A powerful sonic brush can be more effective than a manual brush at removing stains, especially when used twice a day. There are also whitening toothpastes that include ingredients like potassium nitrate, which can reduce sensitivity, priming your teeth for whitening treatments. If you are…
Read the full article here
