Everyone wants a dazzling smile these days. Having a naturally white smile is mainly down to genetics, but there are treatments you can try if you want to amp up the sparkle.
Your teeth may be stained for a number of reasons. Our choice of food and drink is usually to blame. Too much coffee, tea, wine or fizzy drinks can take their toll on your pearly whites. So, what are your options if you want to brighten up your smile?
Here at Billericay Dental Care, we recommend a few different treatment plans for restoring whiteness. Whether you’re looking for teeth whitening in Brentwood, Basildon or Billericay, we can help! Try these methods to keep your teeth sparkling.
A trip to the hygienist
Regular trips to the dental hygienist can help you to keep surface stains at bay. Some people are so happy with the change in their teeth after a trip to the dental hygienist that they forget all about whitening their teeth!
The dental hygienist can use air polishing to remove plaque build-up and stains from the surface of your teeth. They can also give you advice on how to take care of your teeth between visits to the dentist. In between hygienist visits use a enzymatic toothpaste like enlighten. This will support you to maintain a white smile in between your hygienist visits.
Enlighten teeth whitening
If you’re looking for a guaranteed whiter smile, you will love the results from Enlighten teeth whitening. If you and your dentist decide this is the right course for you, they will take impressions of your teeth and send them to the Enlighten lab.
You will then receive your custom Enlighten trays and whitening gel. You use the treatment at home over a period of 14 days and then visit the practice for one final in-surgery teeth whitening session.
This is a premium product which causes minimal issues with sensitivity and guaranteed bright white smile. The value in this treatment is that the trays are yours to keep and as long as they fit you can purchase teeth whitening serum over the counter to maintain your white small for as long as you want.
Whitewash teeth whitening
Another of the best teeth whitening options available is Whitewash. If you and your dentist decide you will benefit from this system, they will take impressions of your teeth and create bespoke trays. You then use the Whitewash gel in the comfort of your own home.
3 to avoid…
There’s no shortage of terrible advice online, and teeth whitening is one area where people are willing to try anything – no matter how much it can damage their teeth. The three most common at-home teeth whitening remedies are:
Hydrogen peroxide
Baking soda
Charcoal toothpaste
Hydrogen peroxide is often associated with its bleaching abilities. The active ingredient in most at-home teeth whitening gels is hydrogen peroxide. You may also see carbamide peroxide as the main active ingredient. When used incorrectly, hydrogen peroxide can cause nasty chemical burns on your gums. It’s best to leave this to the professionals rather than creating your own solution from things you find in your medicine cabinet.
Another popular method on sites such as Pinterest involves baking soda. Also known as bicarbonate of soda, this fine powder is often mixed with water to create a gritty paste. It is then used to scrub stains away from the surface of your teeth. We’ve even seen bloggers recommend brushing your teeth with a paste of mashed strawberries before using the baking soda paste. This is far too abrasive for your teeth and you could end up damaging the enamel that protects your teeth!
And finally, many people swear by charcoal toothpaste, but there is very little evidence that it can actually brighten your teeth. Charcoal can be very rough on your teeth. Like the method mentioned above, this can damage your enamel if you brush too vigorously.
Always trust the professionals
When it comes to whitening your teeth, you don’t want to take any chances. Unsafe treatments can lead to:
Gum irritation if the whitening solution comes into contact with your gum line
Increased sensitivity if the treatment isn’t right for your teeth
Poor results if the whitening solution isn’t concentrated enough
If you’re interested in teeth whitening, it’s always best to speak to our friendly team first. They can advise you on the best treatment plan for your teeth. They will also let you know the kind of results you can expect. If you’re getting ready to celebrate a big occasion and want to whiten your teeth, get in touch with our team today.
