Super-white, healthy teeth is a dream that we all share. There are lots of different treatments to try. The cosmetic market is filled with whitening toothpastes, strips, gels and even polishes!
What affects the color of our teeth?
Genes have the biggest influence on the shade of teeth (enamel, bone). With age the enamel simply wears away, showing the darker side of the teeth which is underneath. The diet we eat affects the teeth as well. Wine, coffee and tea hold lots of pigments. Cigarettes make the teeth go yellowish. Pharmaceuticals we take, such as antibiotics and iron supplements, as well as brushing the teeth carelessly cause the change of tooth color too.
Anyone who has stains on the teeth feels inferior because of that. It happens that we are ashamed to smile because we don’t like the color of our teeth, plus yellow teeth don’t add to attractiveness.
Teeth whitening methods
Using whitening toothpastes is effective because they are rich in enzymes and micro-particles which can whiten the teeth even by two tones. They also contain abrasives which powerfully rub off the plaque. Still, you should check the abrasivity provided on the packaging. If it exceeds 200, it’s going to damage the enamel. Remember to use it for 2 months tops to avoid enamel damage and adverse effect of the treatment.
Whitening mouthwashes keep plaque at bay. Even though they can’t be treated as a replacement for a toothpaste, they often reach spots that a brush can’t reach. At the same time a mouthwash protects against gum infections and gives a fresh breath.
Strips soaked in whitening gel must be used twice a day, staying for 20 minutes. They are usually applied to the front teeth. The effect is visible after around three weeks and it should be satisfactory because the gel brightens the teeth even by four tones.
There are also gel trays that you need to prepare first by soaking a tray in hot water and adapting it to your teeth. You use it twice a week, putting the gel in the tray, applying the trays on the teeth and leaving them on for around 30 minutes. This method isn’t reliable because you may place the trays unevenly and cause the occurrence of hyperpigmentation and gum irritation.
Tooth whitening at the dentist’s
The dentist takes an imprint of the teeth and mouth to prepare the trays ideally suited to you. After the dentist chooses the proper gel for you, you do the rest at home: wear the trays for two hours twice a day (optionally, four hours at night). The entire process lasts for four weeks. The take-home trays cost around $400.
Laser teeth whitening is even more expensive and the costs range from $400 to $1,500.
You can also try the LED lamp teeth whitening which is the cheapest option.
Whitening veneers are surely the priciest out of all available methods because they cost between $200 and $1,500 per ONE tooth. Apart from ensuring whiter color, they camouflage stains and crooked teeth. The veneers are attached to the outer side of the teeth. They make the teeth brighter, whiter and still natural-looking.
If you suffer because of dead teeth, you can get them whitened thanks to so-called power bleaching.
As you can see, there are plenty of ways to get the snow-white teeth. If a high price is an obstacle, you can use natural treatments but be careful because some of them aren’t safe for everybody!
