Having a bright white smile gives us both confidence and self-appreciation. However, as time goes by, life and our lifestyles can take their toll and we find our teeth tend to not remain as white as they once were. Some variables contribute to staining our teeth; like drinking coffee, smoking, eating food, and even ageing. Luckily though, there are plenty of teeth whitening solutions and products out there to boost our confidence and restore that glitzy pearly smile.
Some of these solutions are simple and affordable that you can practice at home. Others of course are more professional ways to bring back your white smile.
Since there are lots of options to choose from, it’s hard to know which is the right method for you and this is something Mr Smith and I have been discussing recently. But fear not, in this post we will look at several of those teeth whitening solutions so you can more easily compare. And, Once you know the benefits and risks of both solutions, you’ll hopefully be clearer on knowing which teeth whitening solution is right for you.
Types of Teeth Whitening Solutions
There are plenty of teeth whitening methods, but they only fall under two main categories: home solutions and professional solutions.
Professional Teeth Whitening Solution…
Obviously when talking about the professional solution you let a dentist handle the process of bringing back your bright smile. It is the most convenient and quick way to whiten your teeth as dentists use more highly concentrated whitening products than those home whitening kits. Most of the time, the procedure lasts for three days to achieve the result, but it’s worth the wait.
When you choose to consult the dentist for your whitening treatment, you have an option to do the treatment in the clinic or at home. If you want to do the process at home, then your dentist will give you the whitening products and the procedure. However, before you can receive any of the treatments, there will be an initial examination to know if you’re eligible and the dentist will see to it that you have a healthy mouth to handle the procedure. There are a few clinics based around the UK who would be able to help, and a rising search term throughout the pandemic has seen people look for teeth whitening in Cardiff which highlights that this is a growing trend.
Home Kits Teeth Whitening Solution…
Since visiting the dentist and receiving treatments is not that affordable, there are other solutions to whiten your teeth at home that are more budget friendly. Some of the whitening kits are effective, but the result is not as perfect as when you seek professional guidance.
Although these home kits can be effective, there are possible risks that one can experience without the guidance of dentists, especially if you have sensitive teeth or several crowns. Most products consist of peroxide that could affect and irritate other areas of the mouth (like your gums) or damage enamel. So, for safety, you may want to consult a dentist first before using the home whitening kits.
Here are some examples of the home teeth whitening kits and products:
Whitening Trays
You can either get whitening trays from the dentist or over the counter. These whitening trays are made of flexible plastics that hold the bleach that whitens the teeth. If you choose to buy them at your local drugstore, there is a high possibility that they won’t fit your teeth perfectly. So, it’s still convenient if you get it from a dentist to make sure that it fits your teeth to avoid irritation.
Whitening Strips
Aside from trays, you can also find whitening strips in many stores. They are also made of plastic that holds a small amount of peroxide or bleach. It’s easier to use, but it’s less effective than the other whitening kits because it contains low concentration peroxide.
Whitening Toothpaste
Current go to and another famous/popular whitening product is whitening toothpaste. It can be effective, cheap, but it usually takes time to see the result since it does not contain whitening bleach. Because it doesn’t contain whitening bleach, whitening toothpaste will only remove surface stains.
Remember that teeth whitening is not permanent. People who expose their teeth to foods and beverages that cause staining may see the whiteness start to fade in as little as 1 month. But, eating fruits and veggies can help “scrub” your teeth and high-calcium foods can aid in keeping your teeth white. Cutting out teeth staining foods and drinks, using a straw and quitting smoking could also help to maintain a white dazzling smile.
Have you had your teeth whitened? What solution did you opt for?
*Collaborative post
Image Credit: Shutterstock
