Having sparkly white teeth used to be reserved for Hollywood A-listers but now, everybody wants a picture-perfect smile. Previous research found that half of Brits were unhappy with their teeth, and one in ten had used an app to make their teeth appear whiter in photographs.
However, if discoloured teeth are causing you stress, insecurity, and embarrassment, there are many ways to address it. With numerous dental treatments currently available to suit varying budgets and oral health conditions, having a bright smile is now highly accessible.
If you aren’t sure which option is best for your teeth, read on to get more information on five different ways to achieve white teeth.
1) Teeth cleaning
Professional cleaning won’t lighten your teeth, but it will remove any minor stains that are compromising your smile’s brightness. Brown spots from foods and drinks such as coffee and wine are easily seen, especially if the surrounding teeth are a dazzling white color.
During a routine appointment, your dentist will use a jet of water, air, and bicarbonate particles to conduct the cleaning. However, stubborn stains may need a more advanced clean.
2) Teeth whitening
This treatment, which lightens teeth by several shades and removes stains, is a popular way to gain whiter teeth. There are many different types of teeth whitening to choose from, such as whitening strips, toothpaste, and whitening trays, but they aren’t always effective.
Teeth whitening is best conducted or provided by a dental professional, to achieve the best results and ensure it’s safe. Your dentist can also assess whether your oral health is suitable for this procedure, which often entails applying a bleaching agent to the teeth and activating it with a UV light.
This procedure doesn’t involve making a big commitment as the results can last from a few months to three years, but regular upkeep is required to maintain the brightness. Keep in mind that teeth whitening won’t work on false or dead teeth.
3) Dental veneers
Veneers are a great way to achieve a Hollywood smile as many stars do undergo this treatment, such as Chrissy Teigen. The procedure, which involves the dentist placing customised shells over the front of your teeth, disguises any dental imperfection, including discolouration. Veneers can cover just one tooth or your entire smile, depending on your situation.
The dental practice, Churchfield Dental, offers both composite resin veneers, which can be easier to attach and porcelain veneers, which are highly stain-resistant.
Although this is quite a costly procedure, it’s a worthy investment as the results can last for up to 20 years if you follow the advised maintenance. Having veneers will also eliminate the cost of getting regular whitening treatments.
4) Dental implants
Some discolouration can’t be whitened, for example, if the tooth’s nerve has died because of an injury and turned the tooth gray. If this occurs, the most permanent solution is to replace it with an implant.
This procedure involves a dentist fitting titanium screws into your jawbone and attaching a false but realistic-looking tooth to the screws. If taken care of properly, implants can last for a lifetime.
5) Daily care
To prevent your teeth from discolouring and developing stains in the future, you’ll need to brush them twice a day, and use mouthwash and floss daily. Also, attend your routine dental check-up appointments.
Lifestyle elements, such as smoking, should be avoided to protect your smile. Try to limit your intake of pigmented food as well, such as tomato sauce, fizzy pop, and tea. If you do consume them, rinse your mouth with water afterwards and then brush your teeth.
Discoloured teeth is a common dental issue, but that doesn’t mean you should just suffer in silence and hide your smile. Brightening your teeth will hugely enhance your confidence and give you a new lease on life.
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