Six Teeth Whitening Strategy That’s Perfect for You

In the dentist’s chair
First, let your dentist study your teeth’s condition. Only a professional can tell if the discoloration is extrinsic (superficial) or intrinsic (from within your tooth’s make-up). Certain cases may require different treatment programs.

• Bleaching trays

Your most basic option is regular tooth whitening using whitening gel applied to teeth. You are first given the option of how much lighter you want your teeth to be bleached (you will be shown tooth samples to determine this), but your dentist’s advice will most likely to be help. This involves your dentist taking an impression of your teeth and creating custom “trays” to be used with a bleaching solution.
Pros: This procedure is direct, convenient, and virtually pain-free.
Cons: Some conditions may take more time and sessions to treat than others, and may require multiple trips to the dentist.

• Laser tooth whitening

In this procedure, a translucent bleaching gel is applied to the teeth and a laser is used to activate the ingredients in the gel, allowing it to penetrate the enamel and brighten the teeth.
Pros: Results are achieved faster, and the attention to each and every tooth ensures great results.
Cons: Can cause slight discomfort, sensitive gums and teeth.

• Cosmetic dentistry

Regular whitening programs can pretty much address discolorations caused by nicotine or food stains, intrinsic tooth darkening may require more complicated measures such as the additional or porcelain veneers to “cover up” irreversible discoloration from within the tooth’s enamel.
Pros: Amazing results that may range from subtle to “Extreme Makeover”, giving your smile a completely new look! The materials used are also stronger than natural teeth, so with proper care, they last virtually forever!
Cons: May get expensive, depending on the treatment required. Results are guaranteed to eradicate discolorations, though, so it is completely worth it!

At-home whitening
We suggest you settle for home remedies when nipping the condition in the bud, and not when you require full-blown dental treatments—this will help avoid unnecessary expenses that won’t work for you in the end.

• Whitening Gum

Chewing whitening gum (like Dentyne) after every meal may help reduce build-up that can cause more stains—it is a goo in-between habit between brushes. Of course, if you can afford to brush and floss after every meal, then better.

• Whitening toothpaste

Though the effectivity of whitening toothpastes in the market is still debatable at this point, those with baking soda may help “scrub off” minor stains and aid in brightening that smile.

• Whitening gels

Brush-on over-the-counter treatments like Colgate Simply White help improve the appearance of teeth by “dissolving” superficial stains and protecting teeth from acquiring more discoloration. Make sure you use it regularly, though, to reap full benefits.

Like everything else, when it comes to keeping your smile bright, prevention is still better than cure, so take your oral hygiene regimen seriously. Avoid food or drinks that may discolor teeth, stay away from nicotine, and get your daily dose of vitamins and calcium to keep your chompers in tip-top shape.