Is Teeth Whitening for You?

What You Should Consider Before Whitening Your Teeth

We have all heard the saying, “Your smile is your best accessory,” so it is no wonder that many people are obsessed with having a white, beautiful smile. There are many methods on the market today to help people achieve white teeth, some that are over the counter and some that can be administered by a dental professional. But, before you buy the expensive whitening strips or schedule a teeth bleaching appointment with your dentist, there are a few things you should consider.

People have a lot of questions when it comes to teeth whitening – what are the side effects? Would a whitening toothpaste work as well as professional whitening? Should I even have my teeth whitened? Regardless of what the answers to these questions may be, it is important to keep in mind that the experience will vary from one person to the next and whether or not whitening is a good idea will depend on the person. Remember, no two smiles are the same.

For some, using whitening toothpaste is enough to whiten their teeth to the level they desire but for others, it may cause sensitivity and little to no effect on the tooth’s color. At the same time, professional teeth bleaching may work exceptionally well for certain individuals and have them seeing large improvements in the color of their teeth while others may see little to no improvement with the same treatment. As with any oral care related question, the best person to ask is your dentist.

For those individuals who decide to whiten their teeth, it is important to not work against your results. In order to get the most out of whitening treatments, it is important to avoid foods and behaviors that stain teeth, such as smoking, drinking coffee, and red wine – all things that are notorious with yellowing the teeth. But, many people may have a hard time giving up these items, especially coffee – if you need your caffeine fix in the morning, drink it through a straw to avoid contact with teeth.

While fancy whitening strips, toothpastes, and professional treatments are great the best way to keep your smile white is by practicing regular, consistent oral hygiene practices. White teeth may be attractive and desirable now, but strong, healthy teeth will last a lifetime. Make sure to keep to a healthy oral hygiene regimen that includes brushing, flossing, and visiting your dentist on a regular basis as well as drinking plenty of water and sticking to a healthy diet.

Before using any treatment, you should consult with your dentist. If you have a New Hampshire dental plan like the Wellness Dental Plan, you may realize a savings of up to 20 percent of your dental bills! For more information about the plans available, please click here.

*Photo Courtesy of Jeremy Jenum via Creative Commons License