The 5 ways to get a gleaming smile at home – and the whitening hacks you should NEVER try
MANY of us have been unable to get regular dental check ups because of the Covid-19 pandemic, with some taking matters into their own hands.
Experts have previously warned of the dangers of at-home dental hacks as surgeries struggle to get through a .
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With pubs and hospitality venues starting to reopen once more we want to look our best - so you might be thinking about investing in a home whitening kits or trying out a TikTok hack to get that gleaming smile from the comfort of your own home.
Experts have however warned that there are some things you should look out for when it comes to purchasing home whitening kits.
Speaking to The Sun Dr Rhona Eskander oral care ambassador for Waterpik said: "The legal dose for home whitening via a dentist is 16 per cent and six per cent carbamide peroxide, these are only available when prescribed by a dentist.
"Over the counter products will not have a large amount of peroxide to make a difference.
"Furthermore, they contain generic trays used to fit anyone and this means they may be poor fitting for your teeth so can seep and can cause irritation to the gums."
WHY ARE MY TEETH STAINED?
Dr Eskander said that there are a number of reasons that your teeth might be discoloured.
This, she said, could be because of decay.
She added: "Whitening will not work in these cases so using bleached products, without guidance or monitoring can actually be much more detrimental.
"I always advise seeing a dentist for correct diagnosis."
Speaking to The Sun, experts at the British Dental Association (BDA) said in a surgery dentists would assess your teeth and gums for your suitability to have teeth whitening, and in case it is necessary to treat any underlying tooth decay or gum disease first.
They said: "A dentist will tailor treatment to the type of discoloration that is present. In this regard, there are two types of staining, one is extrinsic (external) to the tooth and so can be removed simply with either a scale and polish or mild air abrasion techniques and actual whitening which is related to tooth discolouration."
The experts stated that there are also intrinsic stains that affect the inner layer of the teeth.
"Usually, these stains exist on the tooth’s dentin, which is the hard layer of material that lies beneath the tooth enamel. These deep set stains can only be removed by a dentist (or dental professional, under the supervision of a dentist).
"Intrinsic stain includes oral trauma that caused internal bleeding or killed the roots of the tooth, and natural discoloration of the dentin as the tooth ages.
"In addition to the above, dentists would assess your teeth and gums for your suitability to have teeth whitening, and in case it is necessary to treat any underlying tooth decay or gum disease first", they added.
But if you can't get in to see a dentist what steps can you take for a whiter smile at home?
1. Avoid bicarbonate of soda
Theodora Little, dental hygienist for CURAPROX UK said this trend is currently doing the rounds on social media platforms, adding that the ingredient is "extremely abrasive";.
She said: "Permanent damage can be done to the teeth by using such a product and it really is an abrasive quick fix which I would not recommend.
"I also would avoid any other charcoal which is in the form of a powder. This powder form is also extremely abrasive and can create permanent damage on the teeth."
Experts at the BDA said: "Whatever you do, don’t be tempted to use bleach or other products highlighted by ‘influencers’ on social platforms, such as TikTok, which can seriously damage teeth and gums".
2. Less tea and coffee
Theodora said this is one of the biggest ways you can get a whiter smile at home.
She said: "If you can’t cut it out or reduce it then trying adding more milk. The more milk or milk alternative, the less staining can occur.
"Try and not sip constantly throughout the day. If you drink a tea or coffee drink some water afterwards."
3. Stop smoking
We all know that smoking stains your teeth so quitting is one way to stop further staining.
Theodora said: "Smoking will always cause staining and I would support someone in quitting more for their overall health not just for staining.
"Some ‘gum’ mouthwashes can cause staining. Chlorhexidine is an ingredient that will cause staining with continuous use.
"Please make sure to speak with a dental professional and get their recommendation before investing in such a mouthwash as it might not be the correct strength for you, and you may not even need to be using one."
Are stained teeth a sign of undelying health conditions or is it just cosmetic?
Experts at the British Dental Association (BDA) said there are some dental issues which mean your teeth cannot be whitened.
They said: "Generally such staining is cosmetic.
"Teeth also tend to yellow with age as more of the dentin – inner layer of the tooth, which is yellowish in colour, shows through.
"In this case, teeth whitening treatment provided by dentists can be effective to whiten teeth.
Be aware that if you have fillings or crowns, these will not change in colour when having your teeth whitened. "
They added that tf there is an obvious difference in the colour of the natural tooth and filling, the latter can be replaced.
4. Brush and floss
Dr Rhona said going back to basics is a great way to keep your smile gleaming.
She said: "I recommend brushing twice a day with an electric toothbrush and also use the Waterpik(r) Whitening Water Flosser.
"If used daily, the product is clinically proven to remove an additional 25 per cent stains vs brushing alone.
"Brushing alone is not enough; if you don’t clean interdentally, bacteria and food debris will get left behind, leading to complications such as gum disease and dental decay.";
5. Choose your food wisely
The food we eat has a big impact on our teeth and any dentist will tell you to watch your sugar intake for a health mouth.
Experts at Super Natural Gum said the food you eat can also have an impact on your smile.
They said: "Garlic, onions, coffee… we love them for so many reasons, but if maintaining a fresh smile is on your to-do list then you may need to think twice.
"Rather opt for some crunchy snacks like apples, carrots or celery, which aren’t just healthy but also help get rid of bacteria stuck to your teeth.
"And whilst we’re on the topic of health, keep drinking that water! It activates saliva in your mouth that breaks down food particles and stops bacteria from getting stuck to your teeth.
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"Nature’s given us everything we need to be super natural."
Most importantly though the experts say that when you can you should visit your dentist or "the super heroes of oral hygiene.
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The experts at Milliways added: "Dentists aren’t just here to tickle our teeth with pointy tools, they’re here to make sure our teeth are healthy, clean and strong.
" The rule of thumb is to visit the dentist every 6 months, but your NBF (new best friend) will advise you accordingly. Just think about it as going to the spa, but for your mouth."