Beautiful smiles have been, and still are all the rage these days. This is because a bright smile can help us make a great first impression and feel confident in ourselves.
We can obtain whiter smiles through professional teeth whitening or through do-it-yourself (DIY) means. Although dentists typically recommend the former, illuminating your smile in the comfort of your own home shouldn’t be discounted, especially if you’re looking for more affordable alternatives.
To learn more about teeth whitening in West Edmonton, talk to a dentist near you today. They’ll be able to answer any questions you have about such a process.
What Causes Tooth Discoloration?
The main reason why people are eager to whiten their teeth is to eliminate the discoloration. Listed below are the most common reasons why our enamel begins to erode, leaving our teeth vulnerable to stains over time:
- Oral trauma.
- Taking certain medications, particularly antidepressants and antihistamines.
- Aging.
- Genetics.
- Other health conditions. Examples include liver disease, calcium deficiency, and eating disorders.
- Smoking. Did you know that our teeth can absorb nicotine and tobacco really easily? When these substances are mixed with our saliva, they create a dark brown liquid that readily sticks to our teeth.
- Food and drinks. This includes berries, tomatoes, tea, coffee, and wine.
- Poor oral hygiene such as infrequent brushing and flossing, and not attending dental checkups.
Anyone is susceptible to tooth discoloration, no matter how dutiful we are about keeping our mouths clean and fresh. That’s why teeth whitening, also called teeth bleaching, has grown to be so popular. For more information about this, and whether you’re an appropriate candidate for teeth whitening, whether in-office or at home, talk to your dentist in West Edmonton.
Examining DIY Teeth Whitening Methods
There are a lot of ways that you can go about brightening your smile without visiting a dentist; however, before you do so, it’s important to do your research first. There’s a lot of information about there, and some DIY methods aren’t as effective or even as safe as some claim.
To help you in this regard, we’ve compiled a list of the most popular myths surrounding at-home bleaching and explained the truth behind them. Remember, if something seems far too good to be true, it may be a good idea to avoid it. Cosmetic dentistry is, after all, designed to improve your smile, not harm it.
Rubbing apple cider vinegar on your teeth
Regardless of whether you’ve heard of this technique, it’s best not to engage with it. Vinegar is acid, which can seriously harm the enamel and dentin (the layer below your enamel).
Wearing a mouthguard filled with baking soda and peroxide
An ill-fitting mouth guard made of cheap plastics and the acid found in baking soda can give rise to gum irritation and gum recession. Furthermore, only a specific amount of peroxide – whether it’s hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide – can be applied to your smile; too much of it and it will erode your enamel.
Oil swishing
Swishing coconut oil or sesame oil around your mouth is another popular method of teeth whitening. Compared to those described above, while this doesn’t harm your smile, it’s never been proven to actually whiten your teeth either. Such a statement has been confirmed by the Canadian Dental Association (CDA).
Brushing with activated charcoal
More specifically, brushing with charcoal, baking soda, and coconut oil in place of toothpaste. This is not a wise idea. Charcoal is rough and can scratch both your teeth, enamel, and gums.
At the end of the day, it’s your decision which path you take. But don’t hesitate to speak to your dentist about teeth whitening, professional or otherwise, first. They’ll be able to tell you if you’re an ideal candidate for this treatment.
At Aldergrove Dental Clinic, we provide reliable teeth whitening near you. And, if you’re still interested in an alternative to in-office treatment, we also supply prepackaged take-home whitening kits that are safe to use. Give us a call, come in, or go to our website to book an appointment with us today.
