What's the Best Way to Get Whiter Teeth?

What's the Best Way to Get Whiter, Brighter Teeth? 

A brilliant, sparkling white smile makes everyone look more attractive. If you'd like your pearly whites to be more pearly, you can try home remedies, over-the-counter treatments, and professional procedures. Do these treatments really work? Let's find out.

Home Whitening Kits

You've seen home whitening products everywhere. They range from specialty mouthwashes to battery-powered brushes. Which of these products work? Which are a waste of your time and money?

Whitening toothpaste: Regular use of whitening toothpaste can help remove stains, but don't expect noticeable whitening. The best whitening toothpaste use baking soda which has been proven to help remove stains and make teeth brighter. Colgate Optic White, Crest 3D, and Rembrandt are some of the best-known specialty whitening product lines - but most of their claims are for marketing purposes only.

Mouthwash: On its own, a whitening mouthwash won't do much to brighten your teeth. It can enhance your efforts if you use it in conjunction with a whitening toothpaste. 

Bleaching strips: These strips are easy to use and discreet. They can remove stains and make teeth brighter, but they only bleach the front teeth that you see when you smile. They also require a slow, gradual process. The original strips took more than two weeks to work, but the new 3D Professional line from Crest takes only a few days. If you want to look better and you're not in a rush, they're a good choice.

Bleaching gel: These kits usually involve trays that are custom fit to your teeth.  We provide you with a bleaching gel to use for two weeks at a time.  They're a lot faster and more effective than bleaching strips due to the increased strength of the solution.  Please ask our front desk for more information.

Battery-powered toothbrushes: These brushes promise to give your teeth a deep, thorough cleaning. Oral-B, Phillip Sonicare, and Crest Spinbrush are some popular brands. Never brush teeth roughly or use abrasive cleaners. Treat your teeth gently to protect the enamel.

Bottom line: Home whitening kits are easy to use and inexpensive, but they don't produce dramatic changes. For the best results, use a combination of bleaching kits with whitening toothpaste and mouthwash. Don't expect to whiten beyond two or three levels.

Natural Home Remedies

There are several home remedies for getting whiter, brighter and healthier teeth. How well do they work?

Pulling oil: This is a common Indian practice that involves rolling a natural oil around your teeth and gums for several minutes. There is some evidence that pulling oil can remove plaque and bacteria but doesn't really whiten.

Baking soda: There is actual evidence that baking soda can remove stains and whiten teeth without damaging your enamel. Baking soda also removes plaque and freshens breath.

Apple cider vinegar: Since this gets touted as a cure-all for everything from weight loss to psoriasis, it's no surprise that some people praise apple cider vinegar as a tooth brightener. Don't believe it. 

Bottom line: Baking soda is the only home remedy with proven cleaning and whitening effects, but it only works when mixed with toothpaste. Make a paste of baking soda and water. Add this to your whitening toothpaste to improve your results.

Professional Whitening From Your Dentist

If you want dramatically brighter, whiter teeth, you can get them with professional treatments from your dentist. These treatments can whiten your teeth up to five levels without damaging your enamel. 

At Malan Family Dentistry, we provide take-home kits that let you whiten your teeth in the comfort and convenience of your own home. These professional-quality kits deliver stunning, long-lasting results without repeated office visits. If you want sparkling white teeth, give us a call to learn more.