Getting rid of stained and yellow teeth is a top concern among many of my patients these days. As we age, our teeth become more yellow, grey, and otherwise less vibrant as they were when we were younger. Our practice offers in-office whitening and tooth bleaching procedures such as BriteSmile which are highly effective, but are also out of the price range of many patients. Still, many of my patients seek to find way to whiten their teeth in a more cost-effective manner. Many of heard of at-home whitening kits such as Crest Whitening Strips which you can buy off the shelf.
However, the common feedback from using home whitening kits is that they don’t make a very visible difference. Compared to my in-office patients (they are sometimes shocked when they look in the mirror because their teeth look that different) it seems that the generally verdict on at-home whitening systems is that they don’t work all that well. Now, when you look at these home systems from a dental professional’s perspective, it is fairly obvious that these approaches are not potent enough on their own to make much of a difference.
As with many things with our health and hygiene, achieving greatly whiter teeth requires a holistic approach. You must follow a good daily routine of dental care, combined with focused application of a good, reliable bleaching agent, in order to really whiten your teeth 4, 5, 6, or even more shades whiter - the type of difference that your friends will notice and bring up in conversation.
So, what is the process for achieving greatly whitened teeth?
Step 1: The Basics: brush daily with an electric toothbrush like a Sonicair or Oral-B, and don’t forget to floss! The biggest reason for yellowing teeth is ignoring basic dental hygiene. Preventing further yellowing is the first step.
Step 2: Once per week, brush your teeth with plain baking soda. Yes, you heard me. It will not taste great, but it is highly effective. Baking soda is a natural agent which does not contain excess chemicals that has a potent whitening effect on your teeth. You might want to mix it with a little peppermint or some regular toothpaste if you find the taste to be too unpleasant.
Step 3: Use an antiseptic mouthwash, both at night and in the morning. Many people use a breath freshening wash like Scope because it makes them feel as if their mouth is cleaner and healthier. The truth is you need to use a strong antiseptic like Listerine as these contain methyl salicylate which is the cleaning agent which actually decreases the amount of bacteria in your mouth that if left unchecked, contribute to slight amounts of yellowing each day and night. Even after rinsing at night, over the course of the night, much new buildup will occur, so you need to rinse again in the morning.
Step 4: Use a 22% carbamide peroxide at home teeth whitening kit. The strength is important here. Most at-home systems run at between 10% to 14% carbimide peroxide, while professional in-office systems run closer to 40%. There are a few safe 22% systems available online, the one I’d recommend is called NutraBrite, as it is ADA-certified and I’ve observed numerous patients use it and can verify the effectiveness. The company is reputable and offers a free trial and money back guarantee.
(Click here to check if NutraBrite is offering free samples today)
By following this rigorous daily regiment for four weeks, you will notice a significant whitening impact on your teeth. Followed for longer durations, you will continue to notice improvement until your teeth become so bright when you look at old photos you won’t believe the difference. Of course, you should only use the bleaching kit for the directed duration of use, do not use it for longer. But Steps 1 through 3 should be a permanent part of your daily routine
Some further notes and information:
Leading causes of stained teeth:
- juice
- coffee
- tea
- dark cola
- red wine
- smoking
- certain antibiotics
.Warnings: who should not use teeth whitening kits?
- Children: Bleaching is not recommended in children under the age of 16. This is because the pulp chamber, or nerve of the tooth, is enlarged until this age. Teeth whitening under this condition could irritate the pulp or cause it to become sensitive.
- Pregnant women: Teeth whitening is generally not recommended if you are pregnant or recently delivered a baby.
- Sensitive teeth and allergies. If you have sensitive teeth or gums, you should speak with your dentist before using a tooth-whitening system. If you have any allergies to peroxide you should not use any bleaching kits.
- Gum disease, worn enamel, cavities, and exposed roots. Individuals with gum disease or teeth with worn enamel are generally discouraged from undergoing a tooth-whitening procedure. Cavities need to be treated before undergoing any whitening procedure. This is because the whitening solutions penetrate into any existing decay and the inner areas of the tooth, which can cause sensitivity. Also, whitening procedures will not work on exposed tooth roots because roots do not have an enamel layer.
- Fillings and crowns: Bleaches will not work on tooth-colored fillings and resin composite materials used in dental restorations. Any bleaching will result is uneven coloration in your teeth. You should consult your dentist, if you plan any fillings or crowns, you should undergo bleaching prior to having them put in.
- Extremely darkly stained teeth. Brownish-colored teeth will not respond well to bleaching If your teeth are a grayish-hue or purple color they will likely not improve at all with bleaching. Blue-gray staining caused by tetracycline is more difficult to lighten and may require up to six months of home treatments or several in-office appointments to successfully lighten. Patients with very darkly stained teeth should consider procedures such as veneers, bonding, or crowns.
(Click here to check if NutraBrite is offering free samples today)
