How To Whiten And Brighten Your Smile

You want a smile that lights up a room, that gets you noticed for all the right reasons, and that makes you proud. However, if your teeth are yellow or stained, you do not have the confidence in your smile's radiance that you would like. Lucky for you, there are numerous options available today that will help you whiten and brighten your smile sooner rather than later. All you have to do is know what options are out there and get started. You can have the brilliant smile of your dreams in no time flat.

Whitening Toothpaste

Whitening toothpaste, once rare, is now readily available in a myriad of varieties at virtually every drug store around. It is also your cheapest option to whiten your teeth. In fact, whitening toothpastes only cost a little bit more than their non-whitening counterparts. 

Look for a whitening toothpaste that lists blue covarine as an ingredient. Blue covarine is a binding agent that sticks to your teeth and serves as an optical illusion. It makes your teeth look less yellow and thus whiter. Additionally, whitening toothpastes have other means of altering your teeth. Abrasives and/or types of peroxides are used to physically whiten the teeth as well.

Whitening Trays and Strips

The next step up in teeth whitening technologies are whitening trays and strips. Both can be found in the toothpaste aisle of your local box or drug store. These treatments differ from whitening toothpastes in a variety of ways.

For one thing, whitening toothpastes can be used daily for an indefinite amount of time. Whitening trays and strips are used for short periods of time and the results last for several months up to a year. 

When you use whitening trays, you fill the molds (trays) with a whitening gel solution and then press the trays onto your teeth so that the gel and trays cover your teeth completely. However, you must be extra cautious that the gel does not ooze out and touch your gums. While safe for the hard surfaces of your teeth, whitening gel can be painfully corrosive to your gums.

Whitening strips are a bit easier to use than trays. The whitening gel is built into the strips. All you do is open the package, peel off the gel strip, and fit them around your teeth. Again, you want to make sure the strips do not touch your gums through this process. The gel in whitening strips is not as damaging to your gums as that in trays, but it can still cause chemical burns and intense pain. 

When used correctly, whitening strips and trays can provide impressive results. If your teeth are only slightly yellow due to normal wear and tear, or excessive coffee or tea consumption, these over-the-counter whitening work pretty well. 

Professional Whitening and Cleaning Treatments

If you are interested in longer-lasting results, or your whitening needs require more intense treatment, it is time to see a dentist. Cosmetic dentistry is the most rapidly growing field of dental work, and whitening treatments are constantly evolving and improving. 

Most importantly, professionally-administered teeth whitening treatments are the safest around. Your dentist will ensure that only your teeth are affected by the whitening process. So, you won't have to worry about damage to your gums. Additionally, professional teeth whitening services work quicker than any other option and the results last the longest.

Dentists are able to use more intensive bleaching agents on your teeth, or if you have tried other whitening options and are dissatisfied with the results or lack thereof, cosmetic dentistry has the perfect solution for you. You just have to call and schedule your appointment at a place like Smile Success Dental Centre.

As you can see, there are many viable teeth whitening options available to you. You can start off small by changing tooth paste or you can take the leap and contact a dentist to get your teeth professionally whitened right away.