How To Make Your Teeth White – What You Can Realistically Expect

If you’re looking for information on how to make your teeth white, you’re likely to find a plethora of information on various methods, tips, and tricks. Sometimes it can be challenging to know what really works and what doesn’t. So in this post, we’ll delve into the world of teeth whitening and try to simplify the noise. Tell you what methods work, what (probably) doesn’t, and what’s the most effective. So let’s get started.

 

 Teeth whitening types

Despite the myriad products and methods available, they can be broken down into three categories.

• DIY teeth whitening – e.g., home remedies, etc
• Over-the-counter products – whitening strips, toothpaste, etc
• Those supplied or carried out by a dentist – chairside teeth whitening and take-home kits

While some work better than others, they all have their pros and cons.

Firstly, home remedies

Baking soda, apple cider vinegar, and even strawberries are all used as home remedies to get whiter teeth. The obvious advantage is that they cost very little as we regularly have these staple ingredients lurking in our store cupboards. But just how effective are they?

If you have minimal surface (extrinsic) staining, then it is possible that abrasives like baking soda may remove them.

Apple cider vinegar, too, does have natural whitening properties.

The issue is that they will need to be used sparingly or diluted in the case of ACV to protect your teeth. Therefore results can take considerable time and be very hit and miss. 

 

What about over-counter-products?

If you are considering how to make your teeth white, you’ve probably noticed the abundance of products in your local pharmacy dedicated to getting whiter teeth. From whitening gels to strips and even whitening pens, there are plenty to choose from. The idea is that you follow the instructions on the packaging, and after a while, you will have whiter teeth and a brighter smile. The reality is that this isn’t always the case, and here are the reasons why.

You may not be starting from a level playing field

When a product states that you should have a whiter, brighter smile within two weeks, it assumes that your teeth are a particular shade of whiteness. This may not always be the case. For instance, if you gave two people the same product and asked them to use it for the same period of time and then compared the results, there will likely be some stark contrasts in whiteness. So what may work for one person may not work for someone else.

Bleaching levels are relatively low

Here’s the thing about getting whiter teeth. The vital ingredient in any teeth whitening product is the bleaching agent. In most cases, this is hydrogen peroxide, but it could also be carbamide peroxide. In Australia and by law, over-the-counter products are not allowed to contain bleaching agents higher than 6%. This really isn’t very much and is why they work in some cases and others don’t.

Not everyone has a perfectly straight smile

Finally, and this applies to teeth whitening strips, in particular, they assume that teeth are perfectly symmetrical and straight. In reality, this isn’t always the case, so if you put strips on uneven or crooked teeth, you could likely end up with an uneven whitening. The same would go for gels that utilise prefabricated moulds.

Let’s talk about products supplied or provided by your dentist.

These are by far the most expensive, but also the best. That is, at least, if you really want to guarantee whiter teeth. Dentists are the only people allowed to supply teeth whitening products or services with bleaching levels higher than 6%. Moreover, with chairside teeth whitening – whitening carried out by your dentist in a dental clinic setting – dentists regularly use products that contain 35% bleaching agent and more. They can do so because treatments are carefully controlled. In fact, in most cases, anyone undergoing chairside teeth whitening treatment should see noticeable results within the hour. As we said, it doesn’t come cheap when compared to other whitening products, but the results can be astonishing.

Moreover, from a safety perspective, a dentist will give you a thorough oral examination to ensure your gums and teeth are in good condition before proceeding. This way, you’re assured of a comfortable experience. 

So, now you know how to make teeth white and the options available; hopefully, it gives you the information you need to get a great-looking smile you can be proud of. 

If you want to see whether professional teeth whitening is for you, come and talk to the team at Synergy Dental Group. Call us on 03 7003 2185 or book an appointment online.

 References:

ADA – Teeth Whitening Guidelines

https://www.ada.org.au/News-Media/News-and-Release/Latest-News/Teeth-whitening-Surging-popularity-brings-issues-t#:~:text=The%20Dental%20Board’s%20Fact%20sheet,self%2Dadministered%20home%2Duse 

Canstar Health Insurance – How Much Does Teeth Whitening Cost In Australia

https://www.canstar.com.au/health-insurance/teeth-whitening-cost