Everyone desires a healthy, bright, and white smile. However, it’s important to be cautious of trendy teeth-whitening solutions, as some can harm teeth, gums, and overall health.
Below are my favourite products that I personally use to maintain a healthy and white smile.
Whitening strips
To whiten your teeth you need to do so chemically. Crest Whitestrips are the way to go for people who want to whiten their teeth but don’t want to go ahead with more expensive in-office treatments.
The Crest Whitestrips (Amazon link) 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. Avoid acidic and pigmented food and drink during the treatment. 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.
Don’t bother with light if you don’t want to. Lights are included to accelerate the whitening process, so you don’t need to wear the product for as long. But it will not make your teeth more white. It is a personal preference.
*Remember, if you have any fillings/crowns or other restorations, they will not whiten.
Tooth sensitivity often occurs with teeth whitening, so I recommend following my teeth sensitivity recommendations at least 2 weeks before whitening. Refer to my sensitive teeth resource page here.
Toothbrush
Using an electric toothbrush is way more effective than a manual.
Curaprox recently introduced the Hydrosonic Pro (Amazon link). This toothbrush moves up to 84,000 movements per minute and removes plaque (bacteria and food debris), stimulates the gum tissue, and aids in healing.
Because it is more effective at removing plaque, it prevents calculus (tartar) buildup on teeth. Both plaque and calculus absorb pigment, resulting in more stained teeth.
Toothpaste
Please, please, stay away from whitening toothpaste. It works by abrading your tooth’s surface, potentially damaging it.
If your toothpaste is abrasive, it can wear away the surface of your tooth over time and lead to gum recession.
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 sponge like 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 incredible.
Straws
Using a straw while drinking can prevent pigments from staining your front teeth. By directing the liquid to the back of your mouth, the pigments have less contact with your teeth, reducing the likelihood of stains. This is especially useful when consuming beverages that are known to cause teeth staining, such as coffee, tea, and red wine.
So, next time you’re enjoying a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, consider using a straw to help keep your teeth looking bright and healthy.
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 Teeth.
If you have any questions or need anything clarified, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Keep smiling!
Holly 🙂
