Are you a bit embarrassed about your smile? Do you wish you had pearly whites you could show off to the world?

It can be hard sometimes to plaster on a smile when you don’t feel totally confident about your teeth. And it makes sense if you feel this way.

People are attracted to those with beautiful smiles. In fact, in a recent survey, it was discovered that 71 percent of women say that a nice smile is the most attractive physical feature on a man.

And women, you’re not alone. Studies also show that women who smile more are perceived as more attractive to the opposite sex.

So, forget about those extra crunches at the gym, it’s time to focus on your teeth!

But does teeth whitening at home work? Or do you need professional help? Read on and we’ll discuss the top myths and tips!

Myths

First, let’s start with the myths about teeth whitening at home before you go buy every kit on the shelf.

1. Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide Work

It would be nice if these inexpensive products that seem to be the miracle drug for everything else also worked for teet whitening at home. But unfortunately, this is not the case.

First of all, hydrogen peroxide causes free radical reactions when it comes in contact with tissue, causing it to age.

And as for baking soda, it doesn’t work because it disrupts the ratio of good bacteria in your mouth.

2. Rubbing Fruit On Your Teeth is the Trick

Wrong again. Sure, eating healthy foods like fruits and vegetables will certainly benefit your pearly whites. But rubbing them on directly? Not a good idea.

Strawberries, lemons, oranges- you name it. Not only will these fruits not remove stains, they will actually cause more damage to your teeth.

This is because the acid in fruit, as well as in other foods, cause the enamel on our teeth to wear down. And once your teeth enamel wears down, you’re more susceptible to yellowing and discolouration.

In fact, when you eat acidic foods, it’s advised that you wait 20 minutes to brush your teeth, as brushing too soon doesn’t give your enamel enough time to settle.

3. Once Whitened, Teeth Stay White

Unfortunately, just like your recent streak of luck in Fantasy Football, white teeth are not permanent.

Even if you’re rocking some seriously awesome pearly whites right now, it doesn’t mean you will be same time next year. The effects of drinking wine or coffee, smoking cigarettes or eating candy are still going to wear down your white smile eventually.

But, don’t freak out, it still takes a long time for teeth to lose their new shade of white. Just be mindful that upkeep is involved.

4. Whitening Toothpaste and Gum Get the Job Done

Again, while it would be nice if the solution for teeth whitening at home were this simple, it’s simply not the case.

While whitening toothpaste and gums may help a little, the chemicals in these products are far too weak to have a significant effect. In fact, in order for whitening to happen at all, the whitening product needs to be in contact with your teeth for a minimum of 20 minutes.

5. At-home Whitening Gels Have the Same Effect as Professional Ones

Think you’re outsmarting your dentist with your kit from Target for teeth whitening at home?

Think again. At home whitening gels, while they can be effective, will not produce nearly as noticeable or as long-lasting results as a professional whitening done by your dentist.

And, don’t be fooled into thinking buying the kit with the strongest whitening gel will help. In fact, many times the results don’t last as long with the extra strength whitening kits.

Tips for Teeth Whitening At Home

If all this myth-busting got you a bit discouraged, don’t worry! A million megawatt smile is still definitely possible.

Keep reading to discover the top tips for teeth whitening at home.

1. First, You Need a Healthy Mouth

Many people don’t realize that in order to achieve a white smile, they first need to achieve a healthy smile.

In other words, there’s no point in trying to whiten your teeth if you’ve got a mouth full of cavities.

If you don’t address issues with the general health of your mouth first, then the teeth whitening process will be painful and sensitive.

2. Slow and Steady Wins the Race

Even though there are overnight whitening kits sold in stores, whitening your teeth is not an overnight process.

Even if you whiten your teeth under the supervision of a dentist, going several shades whiter immediately is still not a good idea. The bleach can cause extreme pain in your mouth, so it’s better to take it slow and steady.

3. Choose the Right Kit for Teeth Whitening at Home

Yes, as we stated earlier, over the counter whitening kits can be effective, but only to a certain degree. If you are only looking to get your teeth a shade or two whiter, and your mouth isn’t incredibly sensitive, then a home kit can do the trick.

Just make sure to choose one with a mild peroxide solution and ideally one in which the strips mould to your teeth.

Also, it’s a bonus if the products contain peppermint oil or potassium nitrate, as both of these can help ease the pain and sensitivity.

4. Watch What You Eat

No matter what, if you want white teeth that stay white, you need to be mindful of what you eat.

Wine, coffee, tea, and juices are typically the main culprits when it comes to teeth discolouration. So try to go easy on these products.

On the contrary, foods like cheese, nuts, cauliflower and strawberries can help whiten your teeth. But as we said earlier, don’t rub them on your teeth and remember the 20-minute rule about brushing.

Ready to Whiten?

While being mindful of these tips and myths will help you see improvement, the best way to whiten your teeth is always with the professional help of a dentist.

At Jiva Dental, we’d love to help you achieve your dreams of a white smile. Contact us today for more information!