These Are The Best Dentist-Recommended Ways To Whiten Your Teeth
Most people would love to have whiter teeth, but actually getting them without spending a pretty penny can be a challenging. To make matters more complicated, a quick Google search yields tons of results, some of which are not truly effective. So how do you actually know what works and what doesn’t?
In a video for Business Insider, dentist Dr. Ada Cooper reveals everything you need to know about teeth whitening. Here are some important take-aways.
1. Start With Toothpaste
Dr. Cooper recommends getting an over-the-counter tooth-whitening toothpaste. These toothpastes can remove surface stains from things like coffee, tea and wine. It’s great to have on hand for daily use, helping to keep teeth whiter over time.
2. You Need Peroxide For Deeper Whitening
If you want to really change the color of your teeth and not just remove surface stains, you’ll need to get treated with something that contains peroxide. An in-office whitening can accomplish this. Talk to your dentist about this treatment method.
3. You Can Use At-Home Strips
In-office whitening isn’t the only way to use peroxide-based lighteners. Whitening strips that you wear at home work as well. Learn more about the best products on the market here.
4. Try An Activated Charcoal Paste
If you’re looking for a natural remedy, you can try using activated charcoal paste. Dentist Joseph Banker explained how to take advantage of its detoxifying benefits to Women’s Health magazine. It turns out it’s as easy as mixing activated charcoal with a small amount of water and applying to the teeth as you would toothpaste. Leave it for two minutes, and then rinse your mouth clean. You should start to see subtle results over time.
Natural Whitening Tooth & Gum Powder With Activated Charcoal, $11.95, Amazon
5. White Teeth Don’t Indicate Healthier Teeth
Having white teeth is purely an aesthetic preference. If you have healthy teeth, their color doesn’t really matter.
6. See Your Dentist Before You Begin
If you have cavities, crowns or large fillings, you’ll want to check with your dentist before you begin lightening, as it may not be a good fit for your teeth.
Check out the whole video here: