Home Home & Life Style White Teeth – Tips for a radiant smile

White Teeth – Tips for a radiant smile

White Teeth - Tips for a radiant smile
White teeth are the dream of many people. But how do you get it? Is a visit to the dentist mandatory or not? We present you with the whole range of possibilities in a nutshell. 

White teeth are no longer withheld from the rich and beautiful. For many of us “normal people”, radiantly beautiful teeth are part of a well-groomed appearance. The color of our teeth says very little about our oral hygiene or how often we brush our teeth – but a toothpaste smile always makes a good impression. 

White teeth: the dream of a toothpaste smile

But what to do if the enjoyment of coffee, tea, and wine or our nicotine addiction throws a spanner in the works, our teeth turn yellow unpleasantly and we also have a top electric toothbrush just stuck? From home remedies to various products for use in the bathroom at home to a visit to a professional – the possibilities seem endless.

Everyone has to decide for themselves which treatment is the right one and what one feels comfortable with. If you want to try a natural variant first, you can take a look at an alternative to chemical, professional whitening products here; Coconut oil is also said to help. 

Yellowed Teeth? These causes can be behind it

The factors that keep us from having white teeth can be of a very different nature. For example, certain medications (such as antibiotics) or the degree of wear and tear on the tooth enamel can also be the cause. Then the problem lies more in the “inside” of the tooth, i.e. with the root or dentin.

Most of the time, the “white teeth” project fails because of our diet or cigarette consumption. Foods knew as “white teeth” killers mainly include red wine, coffee, and black tea. But ketchup, curry, and cola are also not very beneficial for shiny white teeth. The good news: These discolorations are only on the outside and are relatively easy to remove. And in this way:

Home ways to get white teeth

Those who want to avoid going to the dentist or expensive treatment can nowadays choose from a wide variety of products, all of which can be used at home without any problems. Before we go into the individual methods, here is an overview:

  • Whitening Toothpaste
  • Whitening gel
  • Whitening strips
  • Whitening pen
  • Whitening powder / activated charcoal

Whitening Toothpaste: The “Healthiest” Method for White Teeth?

At first glance, one thinks of a toothpaste – with or without the promised whitening effect – nothing bad. Toothpaste is supposed to be good for your teeth, isn’t it? For sure! And if you pay attention to your “cleaning behavior”, the whitening toothpaste should not cause any damage to your teeth. Instead, small emery particles remove discoloration.

It is better not to overdo it with the pressure when brushing your teeth. Otherwise, you will not only sand off the dirt, but also the enamel – not a good idea. You don’t have to come up with a new morning routine for this. After all, regular tooth brushing is a basic rule for everyone who would like to have shiny white teeth. 

Pro: no additional time required

Cons: if too much pressure is applied when brushing, the enamel is gradually removed

Bleaching gel and splint for individual use

One of the most popular methods on the way to white teeth is clearly whitening gels. Unlike, for example, bleaching strips, which we will come to later, the gels are usually accompanied by individually adjustable splints. Depending on the product, the whitening gel is then put into the dental splint – usually once a day – or also called the bleaching splint – and the splint is usually worn for around ten to 20 minutes. Various providers supplement it with an LED light to intensify the effect on the teeth. Not a lot of time, especially when you consider that you can do other tasks while wearing it. Especially since the application is limited to a few days.

Pro: individually adaptable

Cons: Correct application is important so that no gel gets on the gums

Bleaching strips have advantages and disadvantages

If whitening gels are too expensive for you, it is best to use whitening strips. These are quick and easy to use. The finished strips are simply glued to the teeth and removed again after the specified exposure time. You should try to cover only the teeth, not the gums. Otherwise, it could cause irritation. 

The disadvantage of this method, however, is that the strips cannot whiten the area near the interdental spaces. The strips are also often not long enough to treat all teeth at the same time. There are advantages and disadvantages of whitening strips so the scales.

Pro: easy to use

Cons: no precise treatment possible

Bleaching pen: You can “brush” white teeth with it

Whitening pens are also popular among fans of white teeth with which the teeth are simply “brushed”. The application is simple and tricky at the same time. Because everyone can probably handle a pen – difficulties such as adjusting a dental splint or the like are eliminated. But you also have to reach all (visible) teeth and brush them evenly. And then: if you close your mouth and saliva and lips quickly wear off the product – especially since contact can lead to irritation of the oral mucosa. 

 

Tip: If you have enough time and patience, keep your lips away from your teeth with your fingers for the duration of the exposure time, and then brush your teeth thoroughly. So the product can work well and nothing can happen to your mouth. 

Pro: “actually” simple to use

Cons: The product may wear off too quickly

Bleaching powder: arguably the most controversial method for teeth

Activated charcoal has been hyped for quite some time, especially on social media, for what it takes. In addition to the powder form, toothpaste with activated charcoal is a popular attempt to get white teeth. Only with one difference: activated charcoal toothpaste, in particular, carries the risk of causing damage to your teeth rather than giving you a toothpaste smile. Similar to “conventional” whitening toothpaste, the particles sand your teeth, over time the tooth enamel becomes rougher. The result: the uneven tooth surface is the ideal place to deposit unsightly discolorations.

Many charcoal toothpaste also without fluoride – an important aid in the control or prevention of dental caries and Co. If you activated carbon If you still want to try it out for white teeth, take a look at these products. It can be mixed with conventional toothpaste and thus at least ensures that your toothpaste adds fluoride to you.

Pro: hype

Cons: Risk of permanent tooth damage

You now know the different procedures and products for white teeth, but before you storm off and jump on one of the procedures, we should first briefly deal with how you can optimally prepare your treatment. Because, as you have already learned above, the bleaching products can also have negative effects on our teeth. Of course, this varies depending on the product and ingredients. If you are unsure, it is best to ask a dentist and let him advise you professionally. 

What should be considered when whitening?

A visit to the dentist should be a must before any (home) whitening. Not only to get advice from a specialist – as mentioned above – but above all to have your teeth examined in advance. Because healthy, yellowed teeth should not later become unhealthy, white teeth. Especially those who have fillings or fake teeth should have a doctor checked whether whitening makes sense, i.e. whether it can lead to white teeth. So much in advance: You will hardly be able to change the color of your fillings with conventional bleaching methods. 

Professional teeth cleaning is also recommended. As a result, the teeth are optimally cleaned and prepared for treatment with whitening products. Especially since the first lightening effect could already be observed when cleaning the teeth. The dentist can easily remove light deposits of coffee and the like. You may not decide which procedure to use on the way to white teeth until after you have cleaned your teeth. Depending on how the result is after the visit to the dentist.

Teeth whitening is never completely risk-free. Depending on the product, peroxides or emery particles can attack the tooth and, above all, the sensitive gums and the oral mucosa. If you notice during the treatment that your teeth are becoming more sensitive, this is not a cause for panic, but rather normal. Nevertheless: If something seems “strange” to you, you are in pain or something is infected in your mouth, it is better to discontinue the treatment or consult a doctor before continuing.  

After all, what good do you get white teeth if you can’t smile in pain anymore ?! 

The teeth are shining again – will it stay that way?

The bad, but understandable news: No, over time the teeth will gradually turn yellow again. Because – if you do not completely do without coffee and Co. after lightening – the “normal” yellowing process will start again. This means that depending on your lifestyle and eating habits, this – or another – procedure will have to be repeated. And at the latest in old age, when the enamel is thinning and the dentin shimmers through, you too will have to say goodbye to the idea of “white teeth”. It is a natural process and no reason not to shine with all your heart. Because that’s what matters in the end, isn’t it?

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