Top Twelve Facts About Teeth Whitening That You Should Know
Everybody wants pearl-white teeth, right? Although the work for it and the prices might seem intimidating, we've got you covered, as by the end of this article you'll already be one step ahead in stashing this battle for good. Start working on that Hollywood smile today!
1. Watch your diet
Diet is a big word, yes, but you have to pay great attention to what you consume. Dark berries, thick sauces, coffee, and wine are notorious for staining your smile. Such stains are tough to get rid of. They take a long time to appear, but can even take longer to disappear and they won't disappear unless you actively work on it.
2. Don't Brush too Hard
It could seemingly look like a good idea to buy a good-rated whitening toothpaste with a toothbrush and then work the magic yourself by forcefully brushing your teeth to get those stains out. Sadly it doesn't work like that. I'm not saying that brushing doesn't help the process, but if you overdo it, it slows it down. Don't destroy your enamel!
3. Patience is Key
If you're doing teeth whitening by yourself with over-the-counter gels, strips, and toothpaste, it might take you more than 2 months until you see the visible change. It takes professional dentists from 3 to 4 weeks to complete the whitening process. Arm yourself with persistence and patience!
4. It's Not Permanent
It doesn't matter what type of teeth shining method you are using, if you don't do it regularly, the effects perish over time. Professional whitening can last to three years. But it can last much less if maintained incorrectly. (Poor hygiene and Bad Diet)
5. You Might Be At Disadvantage
The whitening products you can buy from local pharmacies and supermarkets don't possess the concentration of whitening agents like the products dentists are supplied with. In other words, the doctors have much stronger pastes/gels. It makes perfect sense, as a simple misuse of powerful chemicals can do great damage to your gums and tongue.
6. Stop Smoking
Smoking is one of the worst treatments you can give your teeth. And your body overall. This dangerous habit inflicts yellow stains to your Hollywood smile! It damages the gums and causes them to recede (they shrink and pull away from the teeth), allowing tar and nicotine to hit the roots of the teeth. Smoking stains, unfortunately, are difficult to fight without professional help.
7. Plaque is Bad, Calculus is Worse
Plaque can also commit to unwanted stains and discoloration. Removing it is fairly simple, you just focus on brushing and flossing. However, if you choose to ignore it, it hardens and forms Calculus(Tartar), which requires action, as if it's ignored, it will affect the color of your teeth and your oral health in a nasty way.
8. Sensitivity after Professional Whitening is Okay
During the whitening process, it is quite common that sensitivity occurs. Your pearls become temporarily dehydrated which reduces their ability to insulate the nerve from changes in temperature. In other words, hot and/or cold meals or beverages might cause discomfort and pain. However, this effect wears off in 12-36 hours.
9. Best Time is Bed Time
Every time you undergo ANY whitening process(teeth brushing, gel, strips) your teeth' pores slightly open, allowing new stains to take place. So if you're whitening your teeth during the day, you might want to change that. The best time for ANY shining method is right before bed, as you won't be consuming any meals or beverages for hours to come and the pores on your teeth can slowly close.
10. Genetics
Not everybody's teeth can be perfectly whitened, this is one thing that most of the dentists won't ever tell you. Genetics greatly influence the color of your teeth. Whitening methods only clean the stains that have accumulated over time.
11. Antibiotics can get Ugly
With the booming usage of various antibiotics(tetracycline and doxycycline) over the years, many individuals have yellow staining under the surface. This is particularly damaging to children, as their smiles are still developing. Under-the-surface stains can also be seen in people who have cracks in their teeth, allowing staining material to enter the inside layer of the tooth.
12. Don't Do Drugs
In many cases, you can tell that a person abuses certain drugs just by looking at their teeth. An example, meth (or crystal meth) is notorious as being one of the most destructive substances for your mouth. The effects are so extreme, that users are often identified by "meth mouth". This drug can turn your teeth BLACK.
Conclusion
The road to having white teeth is indeed challenging and, in some cases, expensive, but with persistence and patience, you can turn it around.