If your smile isn't as bright as it used to be, you may be thinking about trying a whitening toothpaste to brighten your teeth. But the question is, do whitening toothpastes work? In today's post our Surrey dentists share some effective ways to achieve and maintain a brighter smile.
Teeth naturally darken as we age, and many of the foods and beverages we consume may also cause our teeth to become stained or discoloured. So, if your smile isn't as white as it once was, you may be thinking about trying a whitening toothpaste as a way to regain your brighter smile.
With all of the different whitening toothpastes available at your local store, you may be wondering whether it's worth giving one a try.
Whitening Toothpastes
Hydrogen peroxide is the key ingredient when it comes to lightening the colour of your teeth, and many whitening toothpastes do contain peroxide. However, the amount of peroxide found in many whitening toothpastes is often be too low to be very effective, which means that whitening toothpastes may not whiten teeth any better than regular toothpastes.
Does this mean that whitening toothpastes are a waste of your time and money? Not exactly, many whitening toothpastes also include abrasive ingredients which may be effective in helping to remove surface stains from your teeth and helping you to improve the appearance of your smile.
Oral Hygiene is The Way to a Bright & Heathy Smile
A strong, twice daily oral hygiene routine is essential for a bright and healthy smile. By taking the time to brush thoroughly twice daily (with any toothpaste you like), floss once a day, and visit your dentist for professional cleanings and checkups twice a year, you will go a long way towards preventing tartar buildup and removing stubborn stains.
Yellowing Tartar Buildup Will Dull Your Smile
Plaque is a sticky substance that builds up on the teeth naturally throughout the day. If plaque is not removed by thoroughly brushing and flossing each day it hardens to create calculus (also known as tartar). Tartar is a hard yellowish substance that can give your teeth an unpleasant yellow appearance and lead to some serious oral health issues. If your goal is a bright and healthy smile, preventing tartar buildup, by brushing away plaque twice daily and visiting your dental hygienist for regular cleanings is the key.
Professional Teeth Whitening
If your teeth need a little help to restore their whiter look, a professional teeth whitening treatment might be the answer! Professional teeth whitening is an easy, non-invasive dental treatment used to actually lighten the colour of your natural tooth enamel. Professional whitening can be an ideal way to enhance the beauty of your smile and help to boost your confidence.
There are 3 steps in the professional teeth whitening process here at Guildford Smiles Dentistry:
- Visit your dentist to be fitted for custom whitening trays;
- Return to your dentist to pickup your trays, professional whitening solution, and instructions;
- Use the whitening system at home over the course of several days.