Teeth whitening is one of the most popular dental procedures across the world. As one ages, the teeth change colours. They lose their brightness and can change to a yellowish colour. Restoring the colour of the teeth along with its sparkle is the primary aim of teeth whitening. It is not just ageing that changes teeth colour; certain medicines can also bring about this problem. Injury to the teeth can cause the teeth to change colour. Food habits may also bring about change in colour of the teeth. Certain food like coffee or berries work on the dental enamel and reduce their sparkle. Habits such as smoking or using tobacco also stain the teeth. The enamel which usually gives the brightness and shine to the teeth gets covered by the tobacco stains.

But there are easy dental procedures available to help bring back the brightness to the teeth. Procedures can be done at the dental clinic and home as well. Most resort to teeth whitening at home as it is a very easy and simple procedure. Many products are available in the market these days which will help you get the results. The products come in two different varieties – one which is predominantly bleaches and others which focus on removing the stains on the teeth- they work as abrasives.

Whitening toothpastes

Toothpastes are made specifically for reducing the yellowish colour of the teeth. They have ingredients that are slightly abrasive like sodium bicarbonate and calcium carbonate that help to clean the surface of the teeth. This will help in removing the external stains on the teeth. Toothpastes also have peroxide in them which will bleach the teeth and help to bring back the shine to them.

Whitening strips

These strips or trays will have peroxide as its main content and will provide the bleaching effect. The strips are placed on the teeth usually the front teeth. These strips are flexible and they have a coating on them to stick to the teeth. If applied correctly the strips will stay in place. They need to be left there for the prescribed time and then removed. Instructions given on the pack need to be followed carefully for achieving the best results. Usually the strips are kept on for half an hour up to one hour and then removed. One-time application will not give the desired result. It has to be continued for about a few weeks to achieve a change in colour.

In house professional whitening trays

This is an alternative to professional in office teeth whitening. Most dental clinics will provide this type of service. The dental trays are custom made at the clinic. The mould of your mouth/teeth is taken and trays are made to fit. Whitening gels are placed in these trays. For the prescribed duration, these trays should be slipped on to the teeth. The whitening gel works on the teeth and helps to reduce the stains on them. The gels placed in the trays will have different strengths according to one’s needs. This is the advantage of buying whitening trays from a dental clinic. The teeth are dipped in these gels and they get whiter after the procedure.

Whitening pens and lights

Another type of whitening product that is found in the market is pens. These pens are filled with whitening gels. They can be applied on the teeth surface easily. They help to remove stains with few applications and are easy to use. Another product that works well for teeth whitening is the special light and heat application. This product comes with a gel which that be applied to the teeth. Later the teeth should be applied with a controller that uses both heat and light to whiten the teeth. Though this is a bit costly, many prefer to use this type of whitening product as it provides good results.

What needs to be kept in mind is, the various teeth whitening products contain chemicals such as bleaches and abrasives. Before deciding on any product and using it, it is best if the product is checked with the dentist. All products might not be suitable for everyone. Some will experience teeth sensitivity while using these products. Knowing what is suited and using it will help to improve dental health.
Teeth lose their colour and shine by consuming different types of food products as mentioned before. Taking care and not consuming food that causes stains on teeth will also help in keeping the teeth brighter. Habits such as smoking or chewing tobacco can also stain teeth. Staying away from these habits will help to maintain the sparkle of the teeth for a longer time. These habits also pull down the oral health of a person to a great extent.

Daily brushing and flossing are also some of the basic practices that help to maintain good shiny teeth. Brushing will help to remove food debris that sticks in the mouth and cause teeth stains. This can be one of the reasons for plaque formation and also change in teeth colour. Flossing also helps in the same way. Teeth whitening products can be used at home or the dentist but what is important is maintaining good oral hygiene.

Knowing how to improve and maintain oral health is important. Not just for appearance’s sake, teeth whitening helps to boost up confidence in people and they can perform well in their life. Not just the white colour of the teeth needs to be maintained but dental health is also equally important. Going for regular check-ups with the dentist and learning about dental health helps to improve the quality of life in general. Taking care of teeth and following good and healthy lifestyle goes a long way in promoting good oral health.