Sunny Health

Not only do these habits take a toll on our health, they also cause aesthetic damage to our bodies, such as dull skin, wrinkles, yellow eyes, yellow nails and so forth. While there are things we can do to conceal the damages, such as chemical peels, thick make-up and manicures, discolouration of teeth is a problem that is one of the costliest and most difficult to hide.

A smile speaks a thousand words. A smile bearing a set of pearly white teeth makes a person look more appealing and attractive. But with our caffeine infused lifestyles, our teeth suffer from discolouration and weakening of the tooth enamel due to the acid present in these caffeinated drinks.

These days, DIY whitening products are readily available in supermarkets, pharmacies and online. These products are cheaper than visits to the dentist but claim to give visible results as good as what a consultation by the professional would yield.

These DIY products include whitening toothpaste, strips, trays and pens. They contain bleaching agents such as hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide that whiten the teeth. Natural stains on the teeth can be removed by the use of products that contain abrasive particles. Polishing and scaling use abrasive particles to remove unsightly stains.

Whitening toothpaste is a cheap and popular DIY whitening product. Most brands of whitening toothpaste are required to be used on a daily basis, for a period of a week or as stated on the instruction sheet of the product. Personally, I have tried Theramed whitening toothpaste and was happy with the results. After daily usage for a week, my teeth did become pearly white! Continuing this treatment once every three months helps to maintain that bright smile.

DIY whitening trays are more expensive than their toothpaste counterparts but are just as effective. These are available in pharmacies, but may be a little uncomfortable to place in the mouth as the trays are not custom-sized for the teeth. This method is not suitable for people with uneven teeth as the whitening effect may not be constant across the teeth.

While DIY methods are highly affordable ways to help you achieve that perfect smile, their effects are not permanent. They typically last for a few months, after which you will have to continue using the product to maintain your white teeth in the long run. However, this may cause over-bleaching or erosion of teeth, eventually leading to sensitive gums and teeth.

Professional whitening methods, on the other hand,  are more effective and the results can last for up to two or three years. There are two methods that most dentists use for whitening procedures, in-office bleaching and dentist-supervised home bleaching.

In-office bleaching is a laser treatment done in the dentist clinic. The whole procedure takes one to two hours. Dentist-supervised home bleaching involves a pair of custom-made whitening trays that holds a suitable amount of bleaching agent worn for a few hours a day. The custom-made tray ensures that your teeth are evenly bleached. Progress is monitored by the dentist over several weeks.

At the end of the day, good oral care is the most important as it will prevent tooth decays, gum diseases and other health related issues that can arise from poor oral hygiene. Remember to visit the dentist once every six months and see your dentist for professional help regarding any oral issues.

For more tips on good dental health, many which are highly manageable on your own, check out this article on Health Exchange!

Sources:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/124282-disadvantages-tooth-whitening/