Whiten your teeth from home safely by avoiding some dangerous DIY techniques. Protect and brighten your smile all from the comfort of home.
It’s no secret that everyone wants a brighter, whiter smile. There are many do it yourself methods that show some promising results, but they can so easily go very wrong. Between hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, various fruit mixtures, and the latest charcoal craze- it’s hard to know what’s best for your smile. The truth is that these various over the counter treatments provide very unpredictable results. Here are some things to keep in mind when trying to brighten that smile from home.
Why Do Teeth Need Whitening
If you are wanting to whiten your smile it’s important to know a little bit about the process. Let’s talk about the two most superficial layers of the tooth: Enamel and Dentin. Enamel is the most superficial layer that appears white and dentin is the layer underneath which, when exposed, has a yellow tint. If your enamel becomes damaged or stained your smile may not appear as bright as you might like it.
Damage to enamel can be caused by several things. It could be something as simple as your diet or as complex as genetics. If the enamel becomes damaged whitening your teeth will prove more difficult and should be left in the hands of your dentist. Removing stains from enamel is more common and can be a much more manageable task for you to tackle at home if you wish.
What Can Go Wrong
When using at-home methods you risk damaging your enamel in the process. The damage may be unnoticeable at first, but detrimental in the long run. Scrubs such as charcoal and baking soda can be much too abrasive to be applied to your teeth. Scrubbing away at the gritty mixture could scratch at your precious enamel giving you the opposite result of what you had hoped for.
Another common method for at home whitening is to use fruit. While fruit is safe for your teeth when consumed normally, using it as a whitening method poses some risk. When fruit sits on your teeth for a prolonged period of time the acid can eat away at your enamel. To be sure your enamel is protected in the whitening process, use a method that has been prescribed or approved by your dentist.
Safe Ways to Whiten from Home
Here are some safe, sure-fire methods you can use at home to keep your smile healthy and bright.
- Brush your teeth regularly- at least twice daily for two minutes
- Floss daily to clean in between your teeth
- Limit staining foods such as coffee, tea, and red wine
- Don’t smoke or use tobacco
- Use a whitening toothpaste that has the ADA Seal of Acceptance
- Use our at-home whitening custom bleach trays
- Make sure to visit your dentist regularly
Keep in mind that everyone’s teeth are different and may not respond to certain whitening techniques. Let us at Eagle Rock Dental Care help you find the best method! If you’re still left with questions or are curious about our in-office whitening treatment please contact us! To schedule an appointment call one of our three offices or make your appointment online!
