Teeth Whitening Tips

I have noticed that several of my friends are reluctant to smile naturally as they are ashamed of their discoloured teeth. Are you one of those who feel you can do with whiter teeth? In this section of Dentist Burwood, I will be talking about how your teeth can be made whiter with the help of your dentist or just plain ole home remedies.

 

The first thing you need to do is get your teeth checked and cleaned by your dentist. Your dentist will also be able to tell you if teeth whitening will work for you. If you’ve had your teeth restored with veneers or fillings you may not be an ideal candidate for whitening as the artificial material used in restoration cannot be whitened and will not blend with your natural teeth. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should avoid whitening your teeth till you have weaned your baby as the whitening products may have some contra-indications. Teeth whitening also exacerbates sensitive teeth so if you have a problem with teeth sensitivity, this is definitely not for you. Whiteners are basically bleaching agents that seep through the enamel and dissipate stains.

Once you start your teeth whitening treatment, you should brush and floss regularly and not miss dental appointments. The teeth whitening procedure as such is not an uncomfortable or painful procedure and can be safely undertaken. You can even do it at home with over-the-counter teeth whitening products or home remedies, which are also quite safe, but only after your dentist has given you the go-ahead.

Dentists use 15 to 35% hydrogen peroxide or carbamide according to each patient’s need after cleaning teeth thoroughly and placing a protective shield over the gums. The whitening paste is dabbed onto teeth and left on for a while before rinsing the mouth. It is then reapplied and the procedure repeated over half an hour to forty five minutes.

You can do the whitening at home with 10 to 20% carbamide peroxide and if you have sensitive teeth, it might help to get a gel with sodium flouride which will also make your teeth stronger. But the procedure is a bit more complex as your dentist will need to get a customized mouth tray made which you will need to wear for at least a couple of hours a day after applying the gel on the tray.

Home remedies are also known to work marvels with yellowed and discoloured teeth. Here are some home remedies you can concoct at home in a jiffy. I found that a paste of vinegar and baking soda with a pinch of salt or just a mixture of the baking soda and salt are effective whitening agents. Or you could try mixing dried orange rind with about 20 basil leaves and apply to teeth. Just rubbing dried orange rind on teeth will also result in whiter teeth. Crushed walnuts or ground strawberries also make good teeth whiteners.

Although it is the more expensive option, it is always better to go for teeth whitening under the supervision of your dentist rather than opt for over the counter products.