Friday, July 27, 2012

Techniques to Have a Whiter Smile

We all want to have a whiter smile, and it’s important to consider these factors. However, sometimes it can be hard, due to lifestyle decisions or even just the state of our teeth. Here are some ways for you to have a whiter smile, both in the office, and also through natural means. 

Why Discoloration happens 

Discoloration happens for a variety of reasons. Some people may genetically have less vibrant smiles. 

More often than not, however, we cause this. plaque and bacteria will grow, causing your teeth to yellow. If there is gingivitis and other tooth issues, the enamel might be further ruined.

It’s also caused by the foods we eat. Are you a coffee fanatic or do you love red wine? Well chances are, you’re going to have a smile that’s a little less bright.  These foods stain your teeth and can only be taken off with a dentist’s help. 



Finally, it is caused by more harmful types of lifestyle activities we take.   Alcohol Can do this, but smoking is another. Smoking is not only bad for you, but it opens the door to oral cancer, and can cause your enamel to be permanently compromised, which isn’t fun for everyone. 

Now that you know why it happens, here’s a few ways to have a whiter smile. 

At home 

At home is the first option that we have. You can get toothpastes that whiten the teeth naturally or go to the dentist’s office for a take-home whitening kit. This can be a whitening tray, where you put it in your mouth for a period of time.



They’re good if you need a little bit of vibrancy, but they have their flaws. For starters, you’re not going to see a huge change. It might be good for a shade or two lighter. If you have serious discoloration, it might not work.

As well, it also might cause tooth sensitivity, a common problem amongst those who get whitening treatments. It can cause sensitive teeth, which isn’t always fun to deal with. 

But, for the price you pay, it’s far cheaper than other methods of trying to whiten your teeth.

In-Office 

There are also in-office whitening treatments. 

These are done in one session and can cause your teeth to get multiple shades lighter than they would if you were doing this at home.   The best part: it’s strong, so it will naturally stay.

There is bleaching, Zoom whitening, and other means to make your teeth shining and vibrant. The biggest downside to this is the costs. It isn’t cheap and might be hard to afford. 

But if you get this, you can usually maintain it for a while. It isn’t permanent, but it can give you the confidence that you’re looking for.



Natural Alternatives 

There are a few ways for you to naturally whiten your teeth. Bear in mind that they aren’t perfect and might not actually give results. 

The first is activated charcoal, which you can put in your mouth, and grab onto the plaque and other remnants, contributing to stains. The downside with this is it does interact with other medicines. 

Baking soda is another. It’s a bit rough, but it does remove the surface stains without causing damage to the enamel.

Apple cider vinegar can also remove surface stains. You dilute this with water, then swish it about to remove the surface blemishes.

Finally, hydrogen peroxide. It acts as a natural bleaching agent, in order to whiten teeth, along with disinfecting and removing the plaque that’s there.

These all work together to make your smile nice and white.