When making a public appearance, you make sure that you are presentable. You select the right clothes, comb your hair, polish your shoes, and just ensure everything is in place. The complete appearance of your outfit and grooming falls apart when you see that you do not have that pearly white smile to compliment it. Having white teeth enhances your complete look. So, how can you get those pearly white teeth? Here are a few ways listed by downtown Edmonton dental offices to make your teeth whiter.

Over-the-counter Products

Over-the-counter whitening products, such as whitening strips and whitening toothpaste generally contain peroxide which is an essential element in teeth whitening. Using these products is an inexpensive method of getting white teeth without having to visit a dentist. However, these products are acidic in nature, making them harmful to your enamel if not used with care or if you overuse them. There are various alternatives to these products.

Whitening toothpaste simply whitens and doesn’t bleach the teeth. Whitening gels and strips provide a similar result. The result of the gel depends on its strength. Teeth whitening strips, on the other hand, provide a good result and last up to four months. Strips are pretty easy to use. You attach them to the front of your teeth for 30 minutes a day. The process needs to be followed for over two weeks.

Home Whitening Remedies 

Often people can choose home remedies and tips to whiten teeth on their own. Baking soda mixed with hydrogen peroxide is one commonly used method. Hydrogen peroxide, a good antibacterial agent, when mixed with baking soda forms a pasty texture which can then be rubbed on your teeth to whiten them. Simply using baking soda is not advisable as it could scrub off the enamel. Other methods include using coconut oil, lemon peel, apple cider vinegar, etc.

Laser Teeth Whitening

A laser whitening treatment is performed by a trained dentist. In this procedure, the laser is used to enhance the whitening effect along with peroxide. First, your teeth are cleaned, and all the accumulated plaque is removed. Then the dentist applies a dental gel containing peroxide evenly on your teeth. This gel is not an ordinary gel, and only a dentist can apply it with precision. The amount of gel applied differs based on the intensity of teeth staining or discoloration. Once the gel is set, a laser beam is moved over the teeth to activate the whitening agents of peroxide. This ensures that optimum result is achieved. The whole process takes about an hour, and your teeth become visibly whiter.

Professional Teeth Whitening Trays

In this procedure, your dentist prepares a custom tray, fitting perfectly on your teeth. To initiate this process, the dentist first cleans your teeth and clears out the decay. He then prepares the custom tray, also known as custom bleach splints. These trays are then given to you along with instructions on how much bleaching solution has to be applied to the tray. You take these trays home and wear them for 3-4 hours a day for two weeks. The process, though lengthy, shows good results.

When choosing a method to whiten your teeth, you can choose any of the above-mentioned methods. However, laser teeth whitening and professional teeth whitening trays will have a more lasting effect compared to over-the-counter and home remedies. Talk to our Downtown Edmonton dental offices experts to make a sound decision in choosing the right method to whiten your teeth and also to get a complete dental checkup done.