7 Ways to Get Whiter Teeth

We all place importance on how we appear and look to others, from our hair and clothes to our nails and make-up. Whether it is movies and TV or the latest glossy magazine, you probably have your style icon, and they probably have the most glorious set of pearly white teeth. A bright white smile conveys happiness, health and success to all those around you, so it’s no surprise that you see so many teeth whitening ads all over your social media and pop culture.

Here at Smile Stories, we understand that teeth discolouration is natural, but that doesn’t mean we have to like it or even live with it. That is where teeth whitening comes in. The confusing thing about teeth whitening is that so many processes, procedures, and products claim to leave your teeth gleaming. Our cosmetic dentists break it down and explain how to get whiter teeth.

Are Your Teeth Yellow or Stained?

Let’s, first of all, take a look at the different types of staining that can affect your teeth to see how to get whiter teeth. Didn’t know there were multiple types of staining? Most people don’t, but we are here to clear that up for you.

• Intrinsic staining — This is the stuff that is more difficult to shift. Intrinsic stains are those that have worked their way through the tooth and have accumulated on the enamel.
• Extrinsic staining — This form of staining is a lot less stubborn. It’s simply residue from food, drinks or tobacco that has built up a film of protein on the surface of the enamel.
• Age-related staining — This involves a bit of both of the previously mentioned types of staining. Your teeth will naturally become discoloured as you age thanks to thinning of the enamel.

1. Professional Teeth Whitening

If you want guaranteed Hollywood results that will have you proudly grinning from ear to ear, then professional teeth whitening is the one you want. Our team of cosmetic dentists know what they are doing when it comes to teeth whitening. Our safe and painless teeth whitening treatment takes between three to four weeks and leaves you with the stand-out gnashers you’ve always wanted that will last for many years (depending on your oral hygiene and dietary habits).

The procedure itself starts with our fabulous dental hygienists removing all that stubborn staining from your teeth that a toothbrush just can’t move. Then it’s time to turn those lights up and start whitening. The results will speak for themselves, but check out our previous client’s smile stories if you want a second opinion.

2. Healthy Habits

Okay, so keeping up healthy habits isn’t going to make your teeth much whiter, but it will stop them from turning that unpleasant yellow/brown colour that you want to avoid. The best healthy habits include:

• Keep your calcium consumption up
• Don’t underestimate the importance of brushing and flossing your teeth
• Stay away from those foods and drinks that are notorious for staining your teeth (red wine, coffee, curry, etc.)
• Eat more fruit and vegetables to help naturally clean your teeth
• Cut down on the sugar in your diet.

3. Plant Ingredients

If you want to go down another route to discover how to get whiter teeth by trying some of the more natural remedies for discoloured teeth, you could try some of the following plant ingredients. Just understand that you won’t get the same results with these plant-based remedies that you will with a professional teeth whitening experience.

• Raw ginger — potentially improves oral health and whitens teeth
• Aloe Vera — can help reduce staining and benefit your teeth and gums
• Peppermint oil — not only does it give you a fresher breath, but it also removes plaque.

4. Teeth Whitening Gels and Trays

Next up, we have teeth whitening gels and trays, which are a popular go-to, thanks to their availability and price. These two teeth whitening options use peroxide to whiten the surface of the teeth and leave it looking brighter than before. They are usually applied or worn for a couple of hours a day and offer great success when prescribed by a Dental Professional..

You can buy these forms of teeth whitening over-the-counter, which means they are easy to get your hands on. However, be careful because usually over-the-counter whitening is so weak it simply won’t be effective.

5. Teeth Whitening Strips

Another one of those over-the-counter options that seem to pop up all over the place, is teeth-whitening strips made from a flexible material coated in hydrogen or carbamide peroxide. This substance oxidises as it comes into contact with your teeth and makes them appear whiter.

These teeth whitening strips have gained popularity because they are inexpensive and easy to get your hands on. However, the downsides of using these teeth whitening strips include varying levels of effectiveness, longer treatment periods and potential tooth damage and sensitivity.

6. Teeth Whitening Toothpastes

You might think that teeth whitening toothpastes are designed to gently bleach the surface of your teeth, but that is where you would be wrong. Teeth whitening toothpaste contains gentle abrasives that target the extrinsic stains on your teeth.

Teeth whitening toothpaste can have some level of effectiveness however, these are not a teeth whitening solution like the professional teeth whitening we offer at Smile Stories. Furthermore, these abrasives that you find in your teeth whitening toothpaste can cause damage to the surface of your teeth and leave them feeling sensitive.

7. New Teeth Whitening Technology

New teeth whitening products always seem to be appearing due to our eagerness to get that A-list smile increasing demand. You might have seen new over-the-counter products like teeth whitening chewing gum, mouthwash and even dental floss. Unfortunately, there isn’t much research surrounding the effectiveness of these products, so in all likelihood leaving the fate of your teeth in the hands of our aesthetic dentists is probably the wisest decision.

So, there you have it. Although there is a range of different options for teeth whitening, nothing compares to a professional whitening treatment. If you want to know how to get whiter teeth, contact us at Smile Stories and get the best results using the quickest and safest course of action. It’s time to start showing off your contagious smile and let it light up the room both literally and figuratively.

Want to know how to get whiter teeth? Book your free video consultation with our friendly team of experts, and let’s get started on your smile journey.

AUTHOR

Dr Gareth Edwards BDS (Hons) MFDS RCPS (Glasg) qualified from dental school with honours. Practising from Bournemouth and Poole, he has a keen interest in orthodontics and aesthetic dentistry and is a certified Invisalign provider. Smile Stories provide teeth whitening Bournemouth.