This is the best way to whiten your teeth at home… which has nothing to do with toothpaste
Most whitening products simply strip stains from your teeth, without actually changing their 'intrinsic colour'
THE quest for pearly white teeth can be a confusing one, because there are so many different products to choose from.
Between whitening strips, toothpastes and dental treatments - it's hard to know where to go.
However, according to leading dentist Ada Cooper, most teeth whitening products don't actually change the colour of your teeth.
They simply strip your knashers of 'surface stains' caused by coffee, red wine and fizzy drinks.
And they won't alter the 'intrinsic colour' of your teeth - which may not be as white as you would ideally like.
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So which products should you be using?
Dr Cooper : "In order to change the intrinsic colour of the tooth structure, what you really need to do is use a whitening material that contains some formulation of peroxide."
According to Dr Cooper, these products are easy enough to get hold of.
You can visit your dentist to get a whitening gel applied - which should have you seeing results after just one trip.
Or you can get a tray (which looks like a gum shield or plastic retainer) made to fit your teeth, and apply the peroxide solution to this tray before wearing it.
Custom-made whitening strips can also be bought, which should do the same job.
However, Dr Cooper does have a warning for at-home whitening treatments.
She added: "What’s important to remember is that unless your teeth are in fact healthy, how white they are really doesn’t matter.
"It’s important to see your dentist if you are considering tooth whitening.
"Because if you have dark teeth, cavities, crowns, or large fillings on the front surfaces of your teeth – teeth whitening might not be effective for you."