How can I whiten my teeth?

Having a smile that you are happy with can contribute greatly to your overall self-confidence, as well helping with your oral hygiene. Many people do not have an ideal ‘Hollywood smile’ and feel insecure about yellowing or stains on their teeth. There are methods to whiten your teeth, which we will explore in this article, in order to restore confidence in your smile.

Why are my teeth yellow?

More often than not, there are multiple contributing factors which cause the yellowing of your teeth. This means it is important to keep on top of your overall daily routine in order to reduce yellowing as much as possible. These factors can be:

• Poor oral hygiene – A failure to upkeep a daily oral hygiene routine such as brushing twice a day, with mouthwash and flossing, can contribute to the yellowing and staining on your teeth. However, people who do keep a regular and diligent hygiene routine can develop discoloured teeth simply through age.
• Smoking – One of the main causes of yellow teeth, smoking is not only bad for your health but can drastically alter your appearance through excessive use. The stains bought on through smoking can be very stubborn and hard to completely remove, however through stopping smoking and keeping a thorough and regular oral hygiene routine, these stains can be removed.
• Fluoride – repeated exposure to fluoride, especially as a child, can lead to yellow or stained teeth.
• Diet – Several food and drinks are notorious for causing teeth discolouration, beverages like coffee, fizzy drinks and wine should be reduced in your diet, as well as foods like curry, balsamic vinegar and tomato sauce.
• Illness – Certain prescription medicines for ailments such as asthma and high blood pressure can cause yellow teeth. Patients who are going through chemotherapy may experience discoloured teeth as well.

Who can whiten my teeth?

Teeth whitening are most often performed by dentists and dental hygienists. You can seek teeth whitening through beauty salons, however there must be a dental professional there at all times. There are also products and kits to improve your teeth’s appearance; however these are not as reputable as dental procedures, and can even pose risks to your oral health.

Process of teeth whitening

When having your teeth whitened by a dentist, it can be a relatively lengthy process, usually involving several appointments for around 2-3 months, depending on how severe the discolouration is.

Firstly, a dentist will make an impression of your teeth, much like having a retainer fitted, and then provide you with a custom mouth guard. The mouth guard should be worn over a period around 2 – 4 weeks, and having bleaching gel applied to it regularly, which whitens your teeth underneath your mouth guard.

You can also opt for a quicker method of whitening, through laser whitening. Laser whitening involves having a bleaching product placed on your teeth, which is activated through having a bright light or laser shine on your teeth. This process takes about an hour to complete.

Teeth whitening is often provided through a private dentist, as it is generally considered a cosmetic treatment. However, there are times it will be performed through the NHS, for instance if the nerve has died causing discolouration.

Can I whiten my teeth at home?

Now more than ever, there are multiple methods and products on the market for teeth whitening, from DIY kits, to whitening toothpastes. These products may present a quick and cost effective way to whiten your teeth; however they can pose serious risks to your health if not researched properly.

Whitening teeth even through a dentist can possibly lead to burning gums due to the chemicals used to whiten your teeth, so using a mouth guard that isn’t designed to fit your teeth specifically, can cause the bleaching gel to leak out and cause blistering and sensitivity.

Whitening toothpastes and mouth wash products can provide a safer alternative; however these often do not contain the right amount of whitening product to be effective, and can take a very long time to provide any noticeable difference.

To conclude, if you are looking for a teeth whitening solution, the most reliable and safest option is to go through your dentist, as you can discuss the process at length before the procedure, and be aware of all the possible risks and benefits from having this procedure done by a professional.

Are you looking for to whiten your teeth? Why not contact Loughborough dentist today, to see how we can help you!