Your smile is important. It is the gesture that connects you when you meet someone. It is a sign of happiness and confidence.

Patients spend billions of dollars each year on over-the-counter teeth whitening products – and this figure carries on rising.

But the results from using these products are often disappointing. The marketing blurb promises ‘whiter teeth in an instant’ but what you get is a lighter shade of grey or yellow.

In our quest for whiter teeth, we make fundamental mistakes that means money wasted and our teeth looking no different.

What do we suggest?

If you are going to use an over-the-counter teeth whitening product, you should;

• Only used ‘licensed’ teeth whitening products – for example, Health Canada is monitoring the use of teeth whitening products, the makeup of these kinds of products and the use of over-the-counter treatments. Over the counter treatments are classed as cosmetic products and although they contain bleach, the amounts are too small to make any real difference. Only approved substances used by qualified dentists will change the colour of your teeth.
• Follow the directions – it can be tempting to assume that if you allow the substance to coat your teeth for double the amount of time, you will get double the results. But this doesn’t happen. What can happen is that the gum line ‘burns’, leaving you with a sore mouth.
• Frequency of use – don’t overuse the teeth whitening product and for no longer than 14 days. Any longer and the treatment could start to strip the enamel from your teeth.
• Avoid online products – the Internet is a valuable resource but it also means that untested products are available to purchase. Some of teeth whitening products will not have any kind of safety testing or approval. As well as a waste of money, they can damage teeth and gums.

The Best Way to Whiter, Brighter Teeth

A whiter, brighter smile is possible, especially when you invest in professional teeth whitening overseen by a qualified dentist and their dental team. Some patients opt for teeth whitening in clinic, whereas other patients opt to consult their dentist but apply the teeth whitening treatment at-home;

Brush and Floss BEFORE Treatment

The cleaner your teeth are before treatment, the better the results. The reasons are obvious – the treatment applied will whiten teeth rather than plaque and other detritus on the teeth – but many people still leave out this important step.

Be Aware of Food and Drink You Consume

Heavily spiced and coloured foods and drinks will stain your teeth over time. Whilst it can be hard to turn down a glass of red wine or not indulge in your favourite curry, if you want to keep your teeth as white as possible and for as long as possible, you will need to consume less of these kinds of foods and drinks.

Use Whitening Toothpaste

Using a whitening toothpaste can help to maintain the brightness of your teeth after teeth whitening treatment. There are also whitening toothpastes coming to the market that suit sensitive teeth too, a common and temporary issue after teeth whitening treatment.

Seek Professional Advice

Seeking your dentist’s advice regarding teeth whitening and your suitability for it ensure you do get the whiter, brighter smile you crave but without compromising on your oral health.