Whitening Resources

It’s what we all want; a healthier, whiter, and brighter smile.

Below are my favourite products that I use to keep my smile healthy and white.

You want to be careful of trending teeth whitening solutions as sometimes they can harmful to your teeth, gums and body.

Whitening strips

To whiten your teeth you need to chemically do so. For people who just want to whiten their teeth, but don’t want to go ahead with more expensive in-office treatments Crest Whitestrips are the way to go.

The Crest Whitestrips in the link below are the best on the market, yes you may pay a little more, but your treatment will yield better results and be faster. Crest Whitestrips have lots of research behind them and clinical trials to ensure they are safe to use.

They are super easy and straightforward to use. When you are going through the treatment, refrain from acidic and pigmented food and drink. When you whiten your teeth, the tooth becomes more porous and will absorb pigment like a sponge. If you can do this, you will get a much better result.

I prefer to use the ones that you wear for the shortest amount of time possible as it reduced the chance of ingesting any of the gel as well as the higher the concentration of peroxide, the deeper it will penetrate the tooth. (This is why I NEVER recommend using whitening pens).

Don’t bother with light-activated whitening, the light does so little to affect the whitening process. I find it gimmicky and a marketing tool to make you think it’s actually doing something. Frankly, its just a waste of plastic and will end up in the landfill… for not much gain at all.

*Remember, if you have any fillings/crowns or other restorations, they will not whiten.

If your teeth become sensitive you can refer to my sensitive teeth resource page hereOpens in a new tab..

Toothbrush

Using an electric toothbrush is way more effective than a manual. Moving up to 48,800 times per minute, this toothbrush removes plaque (bacteria and food debris) and stimulates the gum tissue, aiding in healing. Because it is more effective at removing plaque on your teeth, it prevents calculus (tartar) build-up on your teeth. Both plaque and calculus absorb pigment, resulting in more stained teeth. I love my Oral-B electric toothbrush!

Toothpaste

Please PLEASE stay away from whitening toothpaste. They work by abrading the surface of your tooth, potentially damaging the surface.

If your toothpaste is abrasive, over time it can wear away the surface of your tooth, and lead to gum recession as well.

Any normal toothpaste with fluoride will be effective enough and remember… you only need a pea-sized amount of paste.

If you are whitening your teeth, Sensodyne’s original is your best option for preventing and treating sensitivity. The issue with other Sensodyne toothpaste is they actually block the microscopic holes on the root surface, and don’t numb the nerve of the tooth. The whitening particle can actually pass through the blocked hole and get to the nerve – causing pain.

Floss

Flossing cleans 35% of the tooth surface that is missed by just brushing alone.

I prefer rope floss over tape floss, just because the surface is a little rougher and will pick up more plaque and food debris. I find the tape floss doesn’t “grab” the same way.

The floss linked below is my favourite, I even spend the extra money to ship it to Canada! The company is just amazing, their focus on the environment and the quality of the product is not found in any other floss company!

Straws

I try and drink everything through a straw. It prevents the pigments from touching your front teeth when you drink.

I carry around foldable reusable straws with me everywhere!

Prevent Stains

The best way to have whiter teeth is to prevent the stain in the first place. You will learn more about it in my post; Snub Coffee Stains; Dental Hygienist’s Guide to White TeethOpens in a new tab..