The best option is to have your teeth whitened professionally by your dentist. All at-home methods have hydrogen peroxide in them which is very dangerous. Gel and custom trays are the most efficacious and can be provided by your dentist or bought over the counter. The most popular alternative in New Zealand is whitening strips. While these are a good option, getting a perfect fit is tricky. The strip is rectangular and your teeth aren’t. Other options include, with varying degrees of teeth brightening abilities, whitening toothpastes and mouthwashes, whitening pens.
You’ve heard of having a summer ready body, but have you heard of having summer ready teeth? As summer approaches, internet searches for teeth whitening increases. The safest, most effective, longest lasting, and most professional method is to have your dentist do the job.
What can teeth whitening not solve?
Not all stains are equal. Some are deep within the teeth – intrinsic stains – and are seldom treatable. These stains are caused by:
- Taking certain antibiotics as a child.
- Trauma or damage to the tooth.
- Dental restorations including crowns, veneers, etc.
- Dead nerves within the tooth.
What problems can teeth whitening solve?
Extrinsic stains lie on the surface of your teeth’s enamel and can be caused by:
- Foods and beverages such as tea, coffee, wine, any fruit or drink that has a deep rich red, blue, or yellow colour, or is acidic.
- Vaping and smoking.
Foods that help to whiten your teeth naturally
Add these foods to your diet and you may not need to hunt the pharmacy shelves for a product with peroxide in it. Just don’t expect a dramatic result over a few days. This is a lifetime choice.
- Dairy, especially cheese
- Strawberries, apples, oranges, and pears
- Almonds, sunflower seeds, and cashews
- Broccoli, Onions, carrots
But what if you want a brighter smile in a hurry?
There is no one-size-fits-all at-home product. During the assessment with your dentist, they can recommend the best product brand. In fact, they can provide an at-home kit for you that will be the second-best option. The best option is having your teeth professionally whitened by the dentist!
How do teeth whitening kits match up against each other
Have realistic expectations of at-home products, especially on efficacy and timelines, it’s vital that you read the instructions carefully. Here is a list of the main types of at-home whitening options and their efficacy. Remember, all teeth whitening products have hydrogen peroxide in them. This is highly corrosive, can cause chemical burns, internal organ damage, and life-threatening gas embolisms if mishandled.
- Most Effective: Gel and Custom Trays – The strongest at-home option for even coverage and obvious brightening.
Best for: The type of at-home teeth whitening kit your dentist can provide. The dentist’s kit, however, will be the perfect one for your needs. - Moderate Effectiveness: Whitening Strips – Good for mild to moderate surface stains but near the gumline or around wonky teeth good results are difficult to achieve.
Best for: The most popular option for a short-term whitening
- Mild Effectiveness: Whitening Toothpastes and Mouthwashes – Provide a mild effect over time, and provide a low-effort, ongoing maintenance routine rather than a quick result.
Best for: An easy-to-use, cost-effective maintenance method.
- Mild Effectiveness: Whitening Pens – Useful for convenient touch-ups, but the pen colour may not match your teeth.
Best for: A quick fix. - Least Effective: Natural remedies – Abrasive remedies such as charcoal can damage your teeth.
Having a bright smile and healthy teeth does make you feel more confident. We’re here to help you achieve all three.
Did you know that when done incorrectly, teeth whitening can damage you teeth and gums?
Are you a good candidate, health-wise, for teeth whitening? Not everybody is!
Do you know that all teeth whitening procedures provide only a temporary change?
Do you want a brighter smile but are unsure which approach to take?
If having your teeth whitened is something you would like to explore, make an appointment with us today. We will be happy to do an assessment and provide professional advice to help you achieve a brighter, more confident smile. Contact us on: 0508 TEAM DENTAL.
FAQs:
Q1: What is the safest and most effective teeth whitening method?
Having your dentist whiten your teeth professionally is the safest, most effective, and longest-lasting method. At-home products contain hydrogen peroxide, which can cause chemical burns or damage to your teeth and gums if mishandled. For at-home care, a gel and custom tray kit provided by your dentist is the second-best option.
Q2: Does teeth whitening work on all types of stains?
No. Whitening only treats extrinsic surface stains caused by foods, coffee, tea, wine, smoking, and vaping. It cannot solve intrinsic deep stains caused by childhood antibiotic use, tooth trauma, dead nerves, or dental restorations like crowns and veneers.