Benefits of Teeth Whitening
Advantages to whiter teeth are tremendous. Pearly white teeth do not only make your smile look so much better, they also improve your self-confidence. And being happy with yourself immediately attracts people to you.
Perfect teeth simply make you smile more. And what is more charming than a beautiful, spontaneous smile. It is one of the first things people notice and can be a decisive factor, e.g. in a job interview.
Whitening your teeth is one of the most effective methods to add a positive change to your appearance. The cosmetic benefit of is the perhaps the only advantage of teeth whitening but many people find that a more attractive smile does mean a better self-image and more self-confidence. If you are considering teeth whitening, consider all the benefits it brings.
Improved Appearance
Whiter teeth improve our looks dramatically. It is an excellent way to make yourself stand out in a crowd. That is why teeth whitening has become widely popular nowadays, not only among the celebrities. Everybody wants to look more attractive, which is understandable. Luckily, having a beautiful smile is now accessible to anyone.
Increased Self-confidence
The better we feel about ourselves in front of the mirror, the more confidence we portray to others. When we look good, we feel good about ourselves and automatically become more radiant.
Youthfulness & Health
Healthy, white teeth are often associated with a healthier lifestyle and signalize youthfulness. A white, youthful looking smile conveys health and provides a healthier appearance. The absence of yellow and the stains signals good hygiene. People with whiter smiles also look younger because teeth stains usually come as we age. Also, a whiter smile tends to minimize the appearance of facial wrinkles, making you look more youthful and energetic. Therefore, youthful and healthy appearance is one of the gains of teeth whitening.
Feel-good Factor
Our smile defines the first impression. People who smile confidently are generally more likeable, which means happier relationships, improved job possibilities or better work performance. A whiter, brighter smile definitely draws anyone's attention and makes people noticeable. It boosts our personal feel-good factor.
However, having naturally white teeth is pretty rare. Stained or discolored teeth are very common among adults of all ages, and come from a variety of sources, such as:
Smoking
Drinking dark-colored liquids such as coffee, cola, tea and red wine
Taking some medications
Lousy oral hygiene
Aging (As we age, our adult teeth often become darker, yellower, or stained. It makes teeth less bright as the enamel gets thinner and the dentin becomes darker).
However, nowadays there are so many teeth whitening methods, available to everyone. Consult your dentist and choose the one that suits you best.
Teeth Whitening Toothpaste
This method is probably the cheapest and easiest since it is integrated into your daily oral hygiene routine, you just have to use whitening toothpaste instead of the regular one. There are many types of toothpaste available that include teeth whitening particles, or stain removers to help you brighten your smile. However, teeth whitening tooth pastes have different results from person to person. With really yellow and stained teeth, these toothpastes may not work. Also, when used for a long time, they use may cause teeth sensitivity.
Teeth Whitening Strips/ Whitening Pens
This method costs a little bit more but can ensure better results. Teeth whitening strips and pens are available over-the-counter at your local drug store or at the dental office. The teeth whitening ingredients in the strips and pens are the same as dentists use in their professional teeth whitening procedures. However, the concentration of the teeth whitening particles in the store products is much lower. That is why the results are not always as you good as you would like them to be. Another possible disadvantage of the strips and pen is that for some they may be difficult to place and use. The strips must be carefully applied across all teeth, and cannot be directly applied to the one that is stained more. Sometimes, they can also irritate oral tissues and cause teeth sensitivity.
Teeth Whitening With Custom Trays
This method is supervised by your dentist. The whitening trays are designed to custom fit your mouth comfortably and allow an even distribution of the teeth whitening gel across all teeth or only across specific teeth. The trays are convenient for people with busy schedules since they can be worn day or night over a period of one to 4 weeks. Whitening trays use stronger whitening agent, so the results are better. However, this method costs more and sensitivity may be greater.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
Professional tooth whitening in a dental office is the most preferred whitening method because it is the fastest and generally the most effective. Even though stronger agents are applied, the rest of the mouth, including the gums, is protected from these materials. This procedure is performed by the dentist using a special light and teeth whitening gel. This type of whitening can deliver fantastic results in just 30 to 60 minutes. This method is extremely effective and can transform teeth in a single office visit. Your teeth can literally brighten up to 10 shades in about an hour. Your dentist is best qualified to easily manage any issues that may arise from whitening treatments, such as tooth sensitivity. Today most tooth sensitivity cases are easily solved. The effects can last for one or more years, depending on how well you take care of your teeth. And if you are following up regularly with a home whitening product for regular maintenance, the period until next teeth whitening procedure can be even longer. However, the in-office teeth whitening is the most pricey method.
If your teeth are not as white as you would like them to be, there are a few non-expensive at-home methods you can try. Most of the ingredients are a part of everyone's household.
Coconut Oil
A spoonful of coconut oil can be swished between the teeth for 5 to 20 minutes or added to the toothbrush in order to whiten your teeth. Coconut oil also has strong antimicrobial properties so it is great for your gums as well. Rinse it with water and then brush your teeth.
Baking Soda, Salt and Strawberry
Use 1-3 large strawberries, s pinch of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda. Play with these ingredients until you find a consistency that you like. It should be similar in thickness to toothpaste. Let it sit for five minutes and then rinse thoroughly.
Baking Soda, Salt and Apple Vinegar
This is one of the oldest teeth whitening methods. Mix one tea spoon of baking soda with a pinch of salt and a few drops of apple vinegar. Brush your teeth with it and afterwards with regular toothpaste.
Baking Soda and 3% Hydrogen Peroxide
This combination is probably the most effective natural teeth whitener. Mix a small amount of hydrogen peroxide (which has an anti-bacterial effect) with a small amount of baking soda (removes plaque) to make a „runny“ paste. Brush your teeth with it and then rinse thoroughly.
Baking Soda and Lemon Juice Paste
Use several teaspoons of baking soda and enough lemon juice or water to form a paste. Apply a good amount of paste onto your toothbrush and brush. Leave it on for one minute and then rinse thoroughly.
Did you know that there are also some foods that naturally whiten your teeth and are both delicious and healthy, such as strawberries, milk, yogurt and hard cheese since they are rich in calcium and phosphorus that naturally improve the remineralization of the tooth enamel.
The teeth whitening process carries with it a lot of advantages. It boosts up self-confidence, it is very affordable, fast and simple. People with a brighter smile tend to smile more often and are less self-conscious while interacting with people. A brighter smile gives the impression of youth, vitality, health and happiness. Only a white smile is considered healthy and beautiful. Rather than a wardrobe makeover, teeth whitening will grant you with an improved appearance and radiance.