How to whiten your teeth: the best professional and home methods

Teeth whitening lightens and evens out the color of enamel by removing pigment from the top layer of dentin. Modern professional procedures do not damage tooth enamel and even, on the contrary, strengthen it, saturating it with minerals. To date, there are several types of bleaching in the arsenal of dental clinics.

The doctor applies a gel to the patient’s teeth and cures it with a laser. During the procedure, the enamel pigment is split and it is lightened. Laser teeth whitening is suitable for people with impaired mineral metabolism in the hard tissues of the teeth, as well as those who have experienced age-related darkening of enamel. The method is able to whiten teeth by 8-10 tones, and the result lasts 2-3 years. Among the disadvantages are the high price and the inability to lighten the fillings.

Gentle non-contact method, which consists of treating the teeth with ultrasound, which acts as an abrasive. Its advantage is that this bleaching method does not destroy the enamel and does not increase its sensitivity. Teeth become brighter due to the removal of plaque. However, ultrasonic whitening is not able to clean the pits and grooves of the teeth, or remove deep pigment buildup.

Unlike the previous two methods, chemical whitening is suitable only for owners of absolutely healthy and problem-free teeth. During this procedure, the enamel is coated with special whitening compounds that whiten even the pits and fissures (grooves of the relief on the chewing surfaces of the teeth). You cannot do chemical whitening with caries, gingivitis and increased tooth sensitivity.

As a result of this procedure, the mechanical removal of plaque occurs using a jet with an abrasive. The color of the enamel does not change, and the smile begins to look whiter precisely because of the removal of plaque. Typically, the procedure is performed under local anesthesia. Among the disadvantages is the risk of micro-scratches on the enamel.

Refers to gentle and sparing techniques. The light from the LED lamp acts as a catalyst for the reaction between the enamel and the reagent applied to the teeth. To whiten teeth from yellowing, the specialist uses hydrogen peroxide gel. Contraindications to the procedure include the age of children, the presence of crowns and allergies to the bleaching composition.

The bands are very convenient – you can attach them to your teeth and go about your business. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to effectively whiten your teeth with them:

Teeth whitening strips are designed for single use. When wearing them, there may be discomfort in the teeth, which will stop at the end of the course.

The saliva secreted during the use of the strips must be spat out. Within two hours after the procedure, it is not recommended to drink coloring drinks: coffee, black tea, red wine, Coca-Cola. You also need to give up bright foods: berries and fruits, chocolate, jam.

It is best to apply the teeth whitening strips overnight so that the gel can work for an extended period of time. Do not use more than two sets of strips per year.

Most teeth whitening gels contain hydrogen peroxide. Active oxygen penetrates the enamel, and as a result of the oxidation reaction, the teeth become brighter.

As a rule, manufacturers compensate for the presence of this aggressive component in the composition with other components.

You can apply the gel with a special brush that comes with the kit, with a regular toothbrush, or fill it with individual mouthguards that need to be worn for several hours or put on overnight.

Teeth whitening gel should be used in the following cases:

The home procedure of teeth whitening with soda, with a negligent approach, can be harmful to the enamel. The list of contraindications for this method includes:

You can perform this manipulation no more than once a week.

Before whitening with soda, professionals advise carrying out a complex of measures to strengthen tooth enamel. Include more calcium-rich foods in your diet: cottage cheese, cheese, plain yogurt, other dairy products, nuts, sesame seeds, fresh vegetables and fruits.

Use fluoride toothpaste and a soft to medium-hard brush for three weeks before whitening. Mouthwashes and multivitamins are also helpful.

You will need:

To whiten enamel, simply apply a mixture of a small amount of toothpaste and baking soda to the brush and brush your teeth. This method not only whitens the enamel after the first application, but also eliminates bad breath.

In addition to “pure” soda, mixtures based on soda and other components are also used to whiten teeth.

Lemon soda. Apply baking soda and a few drops of lemon juice to the brush and brush your teeth. You can only use this method with strong teeth and healthy gums, otherwise you risk damaging the enamel.

Baking soda with hydrogen peroxide. Mix baking soda with a 3% peroxide solution to a paste-like consistency. Brush your teeth with the composition for about 3-4 minutes, then rinse your mouth thoroughly to remove the remnants of the product.

Lemon soda and hydrogen peroxide. The combination of the previous two methods is a killer whitening mix! Of course, if you have the slightest doubt about the strength of your enamel, we do not recommend that you use this recipe. Mix half a teaspoon of baking soda, the same amount of lemon juice and 5 drops of peroxide. The composition is applied directly to the enamel without a brush, trying to prevent the product from getting on the mucous membrane. After 2-3 minutes, rinse your mouth with warm water.

Strawberry soda. Strawberries somewhat soften the abrasive effect of soda, so people who are sensitive to enamel can try this method. Mash a few berries into a puree and add a little soda. Apply the mixture with your fingers to the enamel and leave for 5-10 minutes, then brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste.