For most people, the natural color of your teeth changes over time. If your daily dental regimen isn’t helping brighten your smile, there are a lot of different options you can turn to for help. That being said, do you really know what treatments are not only safe but also effective? At Urban Smiles Colwood we get asked often about which treatments we recommend. Here we break down the different most common types of DIY teeth whitening, so you can make the responsible choice on whitening your smile:
Whitening strips
Teeth-whitening strips are one of the most common go-to’s for DIY teeth whitening. Because they are easy to purchase and more affordable than other options, we see a lot of patients using them to whiten their smile. While you may notice short term results, using these strips excessively will cause damage to your teeth. These strips are also known to cause uneven colour, as they cannot reach between the small crevices in your teeth. If you notice white spots on your gums or tooth sensitivity, stop using them immediately. If you feel inclined to attempt teeth whitening with strips, make sure to follow the directions carefully and do no more than one course per year to keep your enamel unbothered.
UV Kits
UV teeth whitening kits have been rising in popularity recently with the help of celebrity endorsements, influencers, and DIY bloggers. While these kits can help whiten teeth, the UV light used is considered a risk and can cause gum irritation, increased tooth sensitivity, and soft tissue damage. These kits when used often can lead to damage of your enamel as well. If you are wanting to try a UV kit, have a conversation with us to see if the treatment is right for you, or if you are at risk for damaging your teeth.
Whitening pens
Similar to UV Kits, Whitening pens are gaining popularity across social media. Whitening pens are often used to treat individual teeth or small spots of discoloration. While you may see short term results, because of the small amount of hydrogen peroxide in the pen solution, the whitening effects will be minimal and likely not last. This option is more about getting a quick fix than a long term solution.
Bicarbonate of soda toothpaste
Tooth whitening toothpaste containing bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) is proven to help whiten teeth over time. That being said, using a whitening toothpaste daily can wear down your teeth’s enamel over time, leading to cavities or sensitivity.
Oil pulling
Oil pulling is the act of swishing a tablespoon or so of oil around your mouth for 20 minutes a day. This method is said to draw out toxins from your body, improving your oral health. Studies show that oil pulling is not an effective form of treatment for teeth whitening nor will it reverse tooth decay. Some stains may appear to be less noticeable, but you would achieve the same results using your typical daily toothpaste and mouthwash.
Safe and Effective Options for a Brighter Smile from Urban Smiles:
In-chair teeth whitening:
At Urban Smiles Colwood, we use Zoom! Professional teeth whitening in our office. Zoom! is a bleaching process that lightens the tooth’s enamel and dentin. The complete procedure takes around 90 minutes from start to finish. During this time, the Zoom! light-activated whitening gel’s active ingredient, Hydrogen Peroxide, is put to work bleaching your enamel while leaving the structure of the tooth unchanged. The Zoom! light helps activate the hydrogen peroxide for optimal penetration of the surface of the tooth.
Professional at-home teeth whitening:
Our at-home teeth whitening services are the ideal choice for those in a hurry or wanting to whiten their teeth at home. This option will help you get the same results as the in-chair teeth whitening within three to four weeks instead of in one sitting using dentist-approved whitening trays.
The safest way to whiten teeth is under the eye of a dental professional. You can trust that you will see results immediately, without the fear or worry of damaging your smile. At Urban Smiles, we are always happy to help our patients achieve their smile goals. Give us a call today to set up a consultation to discuss what teeth whitening treatment is right for you.