When was the last time you walked down the aisle of your local pharmacy or grocery store and noticed that particular shelf containing a dizzying array of teeth-whitening products? Have you ever looked at yourself in the mirror and considered trying one of those products? According to various market analysts, teeth whitening has become a $3.2 billion global industry and is getting more significant fast.[1] Thanks to strikingly pearly white smiles that dominate TV and social media, you probably wonder how to score that perfect white smile yourself.
Various factors cause the discoloration that causes teeth to lose their bright white sparkles and become dull. Certain foods and drinks, such as sweets, high-caffeine beverages, and alcohol, can stain your enamel, causing the buildup of plaque on your teeth and making them look yellow.[2] There are plenty of procedures and products to choose from for you to get whiter teeth. Now comes the challenge: How do you dodge the unnecessary chemicals that come with most teeth-whitening products and get that perfect white smile as effective and natural as possible? This list of do’s and don’ts could be the right way to start your teeth-whitening journey!
Do’s
Have A Regular Appointment with Your Dentist
Professional advice is always the most important. Visiting your dentist regularly helps you catch underlying dental problems and find solutions for them as early as possible. You can also discuss what over-the-counter whitening kits are safe or effective in-office procedures.
Practice Good Oral Hygiene
Even the best quality teeth whitening product and procedure would only be effective with proper oral care. Brushing, flossing, and following your dentist’s care instructions are the primary keys to getting that natural pearly white smile of your dreams.
Do Proper Research Before Choosing Teeth Whitening Kits
There are some crucial criteria before buying those teeth whitening kits you have been eyeing for a while. Always choose clinically proven results that trusted dentists recommend. Pay attention to your allergies or irritation tendencies to choose between whitening strips, gels, and other types of products. Check the ingredient label list before buying, and make sure to do some research for any other ingredients aside from hydrogen peroxide.[3]
Choose The Right Whitening Toothpaste and Rinses
Over-the-counter toothpaste, gels, and rinses might help remove some surface stains. Although they might not drastically change the color of your teeth, they could help give that natural white pearly look because they contain mild abrasives, polishing agents, and chemicals.
Get Plenty of Calcium in Your Diet
Enamel eroding and exposing the dentin underneath is one of the primary reasons for tooth discoloration. With this in mind, you should try to strengthen the enamel of your teeth to achieve that pearly white smile. One of the ways you can do it is by consuming a bunch of calcium-rich food, such as dairy products, fatty fish, beans, and lentils[4] that are proven to protect your teeth from enamel erosion.
Don’ts
Over-Consume Acidic Foods and Drinks
Things that directly interact with your teeth also profoundly affect them. And yes, that includes your favorite coffee before a long day at the office. Try to avoid sugar in your coffee, drink water in between cups, and opt for a substitute such as white tea once in a while for your much-needed caffeine fix while minimizing the discoloration effect on your teeth at the same time.[5]
“Light Up” in This Particular Way
Not only smoking is terrible for your health, but it is also one of the worst offenders when it comes to staining teeth. Tobacco causes stains beyond the pits and grooves of tooth enamel, which could become more deeply rooted the longer you smoke, so it would be tough to remove.
Brush Too Hard or Too Often
Many people tend to brush aggressively, thinking that is the right way to scrap off every stain on their teeth and get this cleaner and whiter feeling. If you have sensitive teeth, brushing too hard with a stiff bristle toothbrush can worsen your symptoms. Brushing your teeth too hard can also damage your gums, resulting in receding gums and enamel breakdown that wear away that healthy, glossy enamel and make your teeth look yellow and darker.[6] Stick to that two full minutes, twice-a-day schedule, slow down, and invest in those soft-bristle toothbrushes.
Whiten Your Teeth Too Much
Too much of anything is bad. Always research the optimal usage for teeth whitening products and consult with your dentist to confirm. Otherwise, too many whitening treatments may wear down your teeth and give you prolonged sensitivity.
Experiment with Natural Home Remedies Without Knowing The Risk
Internet and social media aficionados are probably very familiar with many videos and articles about using home remedies such as baking soda, lemon juice, and activated charcoal. These do-it-yourself ways seem fun, but jumping straight into putting non-clinically proven substances to whiten your teeth without further ado might do more harm than good. Acidic ingredients like lemon juice can damage your enamel, making your teeth more prone to staining.
The Takeaway
Whitening products and procedures are not a stand-alone solution. Achieving the pearly white smile of your dreams also requires professional advice from your dentist and constantly maintaining good oral hygiene. Happy flossing!
[1] Teeth Whitening Market - Drivers and Forecasts by Technavio. (2017, April 21). Retrieved June 04, 2020, from https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170421005701/en/Teeth-Whitening-Market%E2%80%94-Drivers-Forecasts-Technavio.
[2] Foods That Stain Your Teeth. (n.d.). Retrieved June 04, 2020, from https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/ss/slideshow-foods-stain-teeth.
[3] Oral Health Topics. (2019, August 29). Retrieved June 04, 2020, from https://www.ada.org/en/member-center/oral-health-topics/whitening.
[4] Jennings, K. (2018, July 27). Top 15 Calcium-Rich Foods (Many Are Non-Dairy). Retrieved June 04, 2020, from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/15-calcium-rich-foods.
[5] Travers, C. (2018, September 6). 5 Ways Dentists Keep Coffee From Staining Their Teeth. Retrieved June 04, 2020, from https://www.msn.com/en-ca/health/wellness/5-ways-dentists-keep-coffee-from-staining-their-teeth/ss-BBMXeGD.
[6] Haney, L. (2017, November 27). Are You Brushing Your Teeth Too Hard? Retrieved June 04, 2020, from https://www.everydayhealth.com/hs/sensitive-teeth/brush-teeth-too-hard/.
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