If you love your cup of coffee in the morning, during tea break and in the evening, or you fancy taking a glass or two of wine every day before you hit dreamland, you might have noticed that your pearly whites aren't that pearly anymore. You see, tooth discoloration is something that can happen without you noticing until you have that graduation, wedding or any other important function that will have you smiling for the camera more times than you bargained for. The good news, however, is that it is possible for you to have a dazzling white smile before that date. Here are the various teeth whitening options that you can try out to keep your smile looking bright.
Teeth Whitening toothpaste and rinses
Teeth whitening usually starts at home using to toothpaste and mouth rinses. These pastes often contain mild abrasives such as aluminum oxide and baking soda which help remove stains and lighten your teeth. Rinses contain hydrogen peroxide, a renowned bleaching agent which helps whiten your teeth through bleaching and fights dental plaque. Even though effectual, teeth whitening using toothpaste and mouth rinses take a while before you can see great results. Therefore, if your big day is around the corner, then it is advisable you try other types of teeth whitening on our list.
Whitening strips
The popularity of teeth whitening through strips has been rising with each dawn thanks to their effectiveness. These strips are usually made from thin, flexible plastic and contain a mild amount of bleaching agent. All you need to do is stick one to your teeth, wait for about 30 minutes while going about your normal routine and then remove it. For great results, use these strips twice daily for two weeks and thank us later. Nonetheless, it is vital to note that constant use can cause tooth sensitivity or gum irritation. Therefore, only use them when necessary and try out other options on our list.
Whitening gels and trays
Similar to strips, whitening gels are often placed on your teeth. However, unlike strips, these gels are usually in mouth guard like plastic kits which you put over your teeth. They are peroxide-based and are more effective than strips because the tray prevents saliva from diluting the peroxide-based bleaching agent. Even though you can buy them from over the counter, dentist-dispensed kits are more effective in whitening teeth as they contain more bleach.
In-office whitening
If you are out of time and you need to get your pearly whites in shape as soon as possible, then the best option for you is in-office whitening. One whitening treatment at your dentist is guaranteed to give you instant results as dentists use a highly concentrated peroxide formula to whiten your teeth. Even though effective, you should be ready to dig deeper into your pockets as in-house whitening can be quite pricey.
