Things to Know When Considering Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening has become a hot topic in the last decade. With new products emerging daily and advertisements everywhere, you cannot help but take notice. This mixed with the desire of most to look their best has caused the topic to grow like wildfire. Should you whiten? What should you whiten with? Are your teeth white enough? These are many of the questions being heard. Here are a few things to know when considering teeth whitening to help you make the best decision for you.
Know Your Product
With a plethora of options when it comes to teeth whitening, your choices can be overwhelming. Understanding and knowing the products you put on your teeth is of great importance. Most teeth-whitening products contain some amount of hydrogen peroxide. The strength of the peroxide will vary depending on the issuer of the teeth whitening product. Store-bought products contain lower strengths of hydrogen peroxide by law. While this will whiten your teeth over time, it will only be a superficial whitening—meaning it will only whiten the surface of the teeth. Dentists are the only persons allowed to use the higher strengths of peroxide that can provide better whitening.
Professionals Are Key
As mentioned before, dentists are the only ones allowed to use the concentration of hydrogen peroxide needed to clean deep within your teeth, making them the recommended method for lasting teeth whitening. Because of the many changes in technique and application, professional cleanings do not have to be time consuming and inconvenient. Having in-office teeth-whitening treatments will take approximately an hour or more. This will need to be repeated several times to whiten your teeth completely. This may not be convenient with your busy schedule. However, many dentists are now offering treatments that you can take home. They will provide you with all of the information needed to perform the treatment properly, which will allow you to perform your teeth whitening in a time frame that is convenient for you while still achieving the results you would in-office.
Avoid the Causes
One final note that will help in your teeth-whitening endeavours is to avoid products that stain the teeth. Products like soda, wine and coffee are all teeth-staining culprits, just to name a few. While avoiding these altogether is hard for most, limiting them in your diet will help to keep your smile white longer. This coupled with proper dental care will extend your teeth-whitening effects.
Keeping these tips in mind will help you achieve that pearly white smile you are looking for. Knowing your products and their limits, seeking professional help when needed and avoiding the causes will go a long way to keeping you smiling brighter for years to come.
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