HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU WHITEN TEETH?

Pearly white teeth can boost your self-confidence and self-esteem. When you whiten teeth, it can make you look a lot younger and give that three-second positive first impression. Several benefits of having white teeth include:

• Improves appearance
• Minimizes wrinkles
• You’ll have more reason to smile
• Helps in your professional life

Just like hair or skin color, people have different teeth color. Some are born with naturally whites while others have yellowish teeth. What are the other factors that affect the color of our teeth?

Causes of Yellow Teeth

If you drink coffee or cola, chances are your teeth have probably yellowed over time. Aging, consuming cigarettes, tartar and plaque deposits or teeth trauma can also affect the teeth color. Thankfully, there are several things that you can do to whiten your teeth. First is by not exposing yourself to food that can stain them. Following correct oral hygiene is an immensely good practice. Make it a habit to floss daily and brush your teeth at least twice a day. It would also help to rinse your teeth with an antiseptic mouthwash to really kill bacteria.

Home whitening products are also a good alternative to getting pearly whites. Using them can give you noticeably whiter teeth in just one use. Most of these products can be applied in seconds and promise professional results. They are effective and can be used repeatedly for whitening your teeth.

How Often to Whiten Teeth?

Teeth may be as solid as a rock, but they are delicate at the same time. It’s imperative not to overuse a certain whitening product, as it may cause damage to your teeth. The bottom line is to always follow the directions for each treatment to get the best results.

When you visit a dentist to whiten teeth, it usually lasts for about a year or two before needing another professional treatment. Prepackaged, at-home teeth whitener can be used repeatedly as long as you don’t use it for more than two weeks consecutively. Always refer to the instructions provided in the kit on how to safely use at-home whitening products.

Warning Signs

There are a couple of signs you should watch out for when using a tooth whitening product. If any of these apply to you, it’s too soon to get another treatment. Wait for the teeth to at least heal.

Gum condition – If your gums are bleeding or swollen, stop using the product and visit your dentist.

Sensitivity – Overusing whitening products may cause sensitivity to your teeth. When this happens, stop using the kit and resume only when your teeth have healed.

Prolonging your Whiter Teeth

Smoking isn’t only bad for your health, it can cause extreme discoloration. Avoid this at all costs if you want to prolong those pearly whites. Practicing good oral hygiene and knowing the right food to eat also help. Most importantly, visit the dentist for a regular checkup.