A Whiter, Brighter Smile

by Megan Yarbrough

Let’s face it; no matter how well you take care of your teeth, they never seem to be as white as the teeth of the model in your favorite magazine. But having a whiter, brighter smile is not as difficult as it might seem and can be achieved in a variety of ways.

There are many different ways to whiten your teeth. This article will provide an overview of each and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each option.

Dentist Office Treatments

Dentist offices provide advanced bleaching treatments that are long lasting and highly effective. Unfortunately, the treatments are pricey—ranging from $300 to $500. If you can afford your local dentist office, the treatments are more effective than most other methods.

Whitening Mouthwashes and Toothpastes

While not as effective as dentist office treatments, mouthwashes and toothpastes designed to whiten teeth do work. Be aware, however, that they do not provide immediate results. They work best on light to medium stains. Overall, they are more affordable than many methods and work incredibly well as a preventative and maintenance measure. 

Whitening Strips

Available at all drug and grocery stores, whitening strips vary in price according to quality and can be as much as $40+. The high-end strips come close to matching the effectiveness of dentist office treatments and the less expensive strips work well when used continuously. Careful application is necessary to avoid receiving visible stripes on your teeth. Whitening strips can also cause increased tooth sensitivity.

Brush-on Whitening Treatments

For those hoping to spend as little as possible on whitening, brush-on treatments might be for you. They are incredibly inexpensive, sometimes as little as $3 for a two-week kit. However, they are messier and it can be difficult to apply the gel evenly. The ingredients can also cause terrible morning breath.

Brush-on Whitening Treatments

Regardless of the whitening method you choose, you can reduce the amount of whitening needed and avoid losing your white smile by staying away from substances known for causing stains. To prevent additional staining and discoloration avoid tobacco, coffee, tea and soda as much as possible.

There are many methods available to help you regain a sparkling smile. Whichever method you decide suits your personal needs, keep in mind that a change of diet combined with regular visits to your dentist can help maintain your whiter, brighter smile for years to come.

Megan Yarbrough