Today everyone is searching for tips, tricks and hacks of how to attain the perfect white smile, and we can’t blame them! Who wants to settle for yellow, stained teeth when there are so many ways you can you can get your dream smile? There are so many whitening pastes, scrubs and lights on the market today, but not all of them are safe. Using an unsafe whitening method can cause major damage to your teeth and make them extremely sensitive, even to the point where it can be difficult to eat or drink. The good news is that there are some safe ways to whiten your teeth and get the pearly whites you’ve always wanted! Let’s go over a few simple and safe ways to whiten your smile!
In Office Whitening by Your Dentist
One of the safest ways to whiten your teeth that will guarantee results, is getting them whitened by your dentist. The professionalism and advanced methods that dentists use to whiten teeth will give you faster and more noticeable results than any store bought or homemade whitening method. Professional whitening is much stronger because dentists use a high, but safe, level of peroxide along with a light or laser. The tooth whitening procedure usually takes under an hour to complete. You’re in and out of the chair with a new smile in no time!
Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide
Professional whitening is great, but it can get a little expensive. If professional teeth whitening isn’t in your budget, there are plenty of other safe ways to whiten your teeth. You can even use items you probably already have at home! Brushing with hydrogen peroxide is an old school method that has proven benefits. Not only does it whiten teeth, but it also kills germs, acts as a total mouth and gum cleanser, while also freshening your breath. To get an even deeper clean, mix hydrogen peroxide with a small amount of baking soda to create a paste. The added baking soda will result in better plaque removal, and an overall healthier mouth. It will take a little longer to see whitening results using this method, but it will work!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is another household item that works as a natural antibiotic, cleans your gums and whitens your teeth! It works especially well when trying to remove stubborn tooth stains caused by coffee and smoking. Apple cider vinegar is such an amazing cleaner because not only does it kill harmful bacteria but it fosters the growth of healthy, probiotic bacteria. Its high acidity also works extremely well to remove plaque. On top of all those benefits, it’s high pH balance is what whitens and brightens teeth! Like the baking soda-hydrogen peroxide method, noticeable whitening does take a while to occur but you will be able to see results eventually!
Whitening Strips and Toothpastes
Store bought whitening kits and strips generally have a bad reputation. People tend not to like them because they can make teeth sensitive, and yes, if used the wrong way they can definitely harm your teeth. However, there is a very easy way to avoid this; read and follow the directions! A common mistake people make is they leave their whitening strips on for a longer period of time then recommended, because they believe that will get them better and faster results. While they might end up with the brightest smile in the world, they will be doing major damage to their teeth by doing this… some things are just not meant to happen overnight! So, to answer the controversial question of “are whitening strips safe?” The answer is yes. If you follow the directions and use whitening strips and store-bought kits correctly, they are perfectly safe!
Talk to your dentist!
For any, and all topics pertaining your teeth and oral health, it is best to talk to you dentist directly. If you are looking for a way to get a whiter smile but do not necessarily want to take the professional dentist route, your dentist will still probably have some helpful insight. They will be able to steer you away from the fake, gimmicky teeth whitening products and suggest something that will give you the results you want, without harming your teeth!
If you want to brighten your smile, or have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us! Call us at (781) 592-5919, or contact us here on our site!