Dental care is important to your overall health, wellbeing, and sense of self. Having a reliable dentist in Oslo ensures your teeth are always well cared for and any checkups or procedures you need are handled by an experienced professional. A common issue people have with their dental health is teeth whitening. If your teeth are stained or discolored, this can have a negative impact on how you perceive your appearance and your views on how others view you. Having whiter teeth can provide higher levels of self-confidence and being confident in your smile can make social interactions less stressful and more natural.
Four Effective Ways to Whiten Your Teeth
There are several ways to whiten your teeth. However, before using any treatment, you should always consult your dentist beforehand to avoid any damage to your teeth and mouth.
- Professional Whitening: one of the safest and most effective ways to whiten your teeth is through professional treatment supplied by your dentist. There are different causes of tooth staining and your dentist can recommend a treatment that works for your unique situation. Professional treatments can include in-office treatments using whitening chemicals or at-home treatment methods involving treatments you can apply yourself, such as dental trays.
- Whitening Strips: available at any drug store, whitening strips are one of the more common at-home remedies people use to whiten their teeth and are available in different strength levels and application methods. Molding to the shape of your teeth. These types of products have shown to be effective in whitening your teeth provided you follow the directions carefully. Such products should not be overused as they can damage your teeth if the manufacturer’s directions are not followed.
- Whitening Toothpaste: using whitening toothpaste can lighten your teeth up to two shades. These kinds of toothpaste contain low amounts of carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide as a whitening agent. While whitening toothpaste does not contain bleach, it can damage your teeth if you overuse it due to the abrasiveness of the chemicals contained in the toothpaste.
- Rinses: there are whitening rinses available designed to lighten your teeth in one to two shades. Commonly, such rinses are designed to be used 60 seconds at a time and twice daily. While relatively easy to use, whitening rinses take a long time to show any effectiveness, and it can take three months for you to notice any changes in your tooth coloration.
A Note About Home Remedies
There are many home remedies available online. These can include strawberries, charcoal, wood ash, and various other chemical agents. While these treatments can remove surface-level staining, they do not change the overall color of your teeth. In addition, such at-home remedies can damage your teeth if used improperly. Many of these remedies are not recommended by professionals.
Avoiding Tooth Staining
Once you have had your teeth whitened, you’ll want to avoid staining your teeth. Certain foods and beverages can lead to discoloration and avoiding them, if possible, can help keep your teeth white. The following should also be avoided after you have undergone whitening treatment, as it can take time for your mouth to reestablish its natural defenses. Foods that can lead to tooth discoloration include coffee, black and green teas, pasta sauces, acidic foods, sports drinks, sodas with high amounts of coloration, wine, berries, and citrus fruits. While you may not want to eliminate some of these foods and beverages in their entirety, even a reduction in use can improve your dental appearance.
Final Thoughts
Taking care of your teeth not only provides good oral health, it can also improve how you feel about yourself. A vibrant smile can be a confidence booster. If your teeth are stained and this is affecting you on a daily basis talk to your dentist as there are methods to improve the color of your teeth and restore a whiter smile.
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