Recently, there has been an immense amount of articles about teeth-whitening. That being said, it feels like there is a new technique or new method people are talking about every other week. There are high tech methods, and then there is simply remedies that you can find in your house. According to the American Dental Association, the one side effect to be weary of is the risk of increased tooth sensitivity. At the end of the day, nothing beats flossing and brushing daily for optimal oral health!
- Crest Whitestrips: The trend to whiten teeth started with Crest’s teeth whitening strips that were introduced around 2001. Growing in popularity ever since, these Crest whitestrips claim to remove up to ten years of stains caused by coffee, food, wine, and smoking. These strips were the first and only teeth-whitening strips to be accepted and approved by the ADA. They are very simple to use, each strip attaches and molds to the front and back of your teeth. Thirty minutes later, take them off and take a look! There are however a few side effects: the Crest teeth whitening strips, are said to cause temporary white spots and gum irritation.
- Whitening trays are another option. These trays are easily compared to a mouth guard, yet do not have the same protective nature of one. (Mouth guards are molded to the teeth and used to help with realignment). The whitening tray usually contains a peroxide-based gel that with a gentle bleach to aid in whitening the teeth. Depending on the brand, type, and the strength of the whitening gel, these trays can be worn for 30 minutes to an hour, or as long as leaving it in overnight.
- If you’re more interested in an organic solution, there are some whitening methods that can be found right in the kitchen: Apples and bananas. Simply consuming apples alone help by scrubbing the teeth. Not to mention the fact that apples contain high levels of malic acid, which produces saliva that also cleans our teeth. Probably the most interesting method is using the inside of a banana peel to whiten the teeth. You read that right, before brushing rub the inside of the banana peel along your teeth for about two minutes then brush regularly. Before you brush, try to keep your lips from touching your teeth, in order to keep the minerals from the banana on the teeth. This technique has been endorsed by some, and discounted by others – but it is certainly worth a try!
- The most farfetched of all of these techniques is brushing your teeth with activated charcoal. Seems crazy but some experts say it works wonders! The whole point of using activated charcoal is that it binds together with whatever it comes into contact with. Its purifying agent is what gets the teeth whiter, but the big problem is nobody knows how the charcoal effects enamel and the gums. So I think until there is more research on the side effects of this treatment, it’s probably best not to try.
- High tech is also playing a role in teeth whitening options. The BrightWhite Smile teeth whitening light, is a technique that works as a combination of a whitening tray and an LED light. You simply apply whitening gel to the mouth guard with the light attached, insert the mouth guard, turn on the light, and keep in for 30 minutes. This product and products like it claim to have the fastest turnaround, seeing results within a day or two!
These techniques will be sure to keep your mouth guessing, all the while making your smile whiter. While most of these techniques will eventually work, a lot of them have negative effects as well, so be cautious. After all, nothing is better for your teeth then regular visits to your dentist brushing and flossing daily!