Whether it’s due to coffee stains, aging, or just a genetic predisposition, millions of people are unhappy with the color of their smile. Naturally, there are also plenty of people who advertise easy solutions to deal with tooth stains.
If you look up how to whiten teeth at home, there are dozens of over-the-counter treatments available to you, and many more home remedies. Unfortunately, these alternatives to professional whitening treatment can be problematic. Here’s why.
Over-the-Counter Whitening
There are a wide variety of whitening treatments available over the counter, and they vary greatly in their method and effectiveness. For the most part, however, they tend to miss the mark when compared to professional whitening.
These treatments aren’t attuned to your specific needs, so the bleaching elements they involve tend to be either too weak or too strong. This means that they often don’t work to actually make your smile better or, in some circumstances, can actually damage your teeth and gums.
Home Remedies
There are some home remedies that have validity to them—baking soda, for example, has been clinically proven to have some whitening effects. However, usually these home remedies aren’t all that effective.
For example, some websites recommend rubbing lemon or fruit juice on your teeth. These fruits are heavily acidic, so there’s a real risk that you could erode away your enamel, leading to tooth sensitivity. Many of these fruits, like dark berries, even contain pigments that can dye your teeth in their own right.
The Correct Way to Whiten
If you want to whiten your teeth safely and effectively, there are a few ways you can go about it. The first is whitening toothpaste, which is an over-the-counter option that actually has been shown to have results. Brushing with such a toothpaste frequently may not transform your smile, but can show some decent results over time.
The far more effective option, however, is professional teeth whitening. In as little as one appointment, your dentist can use a bleaching solution to give you a smile up to eight shades whiter!
If you have a smile you’re unhappy with, your dentist can help you, so there’s no need to resort to dangerous online remedies.
About the Author
Dr. Marc Thomas is a dentist who works hard to build a practice where patients can both receive the highest quality care that dentistry has to offer and to feel completely comfortable. Dr. Thomas earned her D.D.S. from the University of the Pacific, then served in the US Army Dental Corps. He has always remained committed to continuing his education, staying up to date on the latest in oral medicine.
If you have any questions about teeth whitening, he can be reached at his website or by phone at (775) 626-3535.