Many dentists will tell you that one of the most common questions they get from patients is, ‘what is the best way to whiten my teeth?’. It is a well-known fact that teethwhitening is one of the most common cosmetic dental procedures when patients seek to improve their smile. Even though the process is fairly common, not all the solutions are the same. You should seek out a quality teeth whitening clinic in London for the best recommendation and results.
Why should you whiten your teeth?
Before a teeth whitening procedure, ask yourself how important it is for you and why you are doing it. The primary reason why people whiten their teeth is to improve their smile and boost their confidence. However, other reasons why people whiten their teeth include:
- Reversing coloured blemishes and stains on the teeth
- Fighting against wear and ageing on the teeth
- To achieve a more youthful or younger appearance
Although the reasons may vary from person to person, it still comes down to one thing: improving the appearance of one’s smile. In some cases, stained or yellowed teeth are not a result of poor oral hygiene; they could be related to other factors and the patient’s lifestyle.
Causes of yellow teeth
Poor oral hygiene, as mentioned earlier, is not the only reason why your teeth could be turning yellow. There are also a couple of reasons why your teeth may be having a yellowish or brownish tint to them. These reasons include the following:
Smoking: Tobacco products, including cigarettes, are not just harmful to other parts of your body, such as your lungs. They are also toxic or detrimental to your oral hygiene, leading to the staining of the teeth.
Ageing: Depending on your lifestyle or genetics, your teeth may begin to stain or turn yellow as you get older. Based on a couple of factors, your teeth can begin to discolour from your late 20s or 30s.
Acidic drinks: Acidic drinks like coffee and tea can cause discolouration of teeth, especially when consumed daily.
Fluoride: This can be a surprising twist, especially as fluoride is an active ingredient in toothpaste. However, if your intake levels are high, they can destroy your enamel. The destruction of enamel usually starts from childhood.
Poor eating habits: Consuming high levels of a particular food group can damage the colour of your teeth. The food group that can ruin the colour of one’s teeth when consumed in an unhealthy way include the following:
- Sugary and carbonated drinks that ruin the enamel such as soda, coffee, tea, wine, etc
- Sugary desserts like candies
- Processed foods with a high level of acid
- Acidic foods and fruits rich in sugar
Antibiotics: Some antibiotics damage the enamel, leaving them exposed to discolouration. Notable examples of antibiotics include tetracycline and doxycycline, especially when given to children before age 8.
Xerostomia (dry mouth condition): This condition is characterised by a decrease in the level of saliva in the mouth. This prevents the enamel from being nourished with healthy bacteria-fighting agents.
Plaque and tartar: Plaque and tartar is the accumulation of bacterial deposits on the teeth. Besides affecting the colour, they can also make the teeth weak.
How can I whiten my teeth professionally?
Knowing that stained or yellowed teeth are not only a result of poor oral hygiene, there are several options you can choose to whiten your teeth. These options include;
- Crest white strips
- In-office teeth whitening
- Custom whitening trays
- Guidance on special whitening toothpaste
Can I whiten my teeth naturally?
It is very possible for those who may not know to whiten their teeth naturally without using any teeth whitening product. However, you must know that whitening your teeth by natural means involves combining multiple practices, most of which are already part of your daily oral hygiene. They include;
- Brushing correctly, at least two or three times daily
- Flossing daily
- Eating right
There are also other practices that involve the use of some products we can find in our homes, like baking soda, apple cider vinegar or even hydrogen peroxide. However, you must consult your dentist or oral specialist before trying any of these products. Still, it will be better to ask your dentist for recommendations of natural ways to whiten your teeth.
Whitening your teeth, whether professionally or naturally, can be very helpful in boosting your confidence and smile. Be sure to contact a trusted and reliable teeth whitening clinic in London for help and recommendations.
