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Let your smile be your signature
Recent years have seen teeth whitening become one of the most popular dental procedures in the UK. To a large extent, this will be due to the increasing volume of information that is available online along with a growing chorus of positive referrals from friends and family who have enjoyed successful results. And it’s not surprising: the simple truth is that a beautiful smile can be your most valuable social asset, and it pays to have one as your trademark.
Discover the truth behind the confusion
Oddly enough, however, along with these favourable endorsements, a range of misconceptions have also arisen. These may concern what different treatments involve and the various factors that have an impact on the effectiveness and success of teeth whitening. Common myths continue to surround the procedure despite the existence of clinical studies that debunk many of these inaccuracies. Let’s take a look…
‘Teeth whitening is a permanent procedure’
Bleaching your teeth white can make a noticeable difference, but it’s not an everlasting solution to tooth discolouration. Over time, new stains and spots of brown discoloration can build up again so that the effects of professional teeth whitening are eventually seen to wear off.
This is not always due to an ineffective teeth-whitening therapy. The natural colour of your teeth, age, and other factors such as diet, smoking, and oral hygiene habits can all affect the longevity of the results. Regular consumption of dark-coloured liquids such as coffee, tea, or red wine will also increase the likelihood of teeth losing their whiteness more quickly.
The good news is that, while not permanent, the effects of chairside or in-office teeth whitening are in fact long-lasting and very effective.
‘Teeth whitening can harm tooth enamel’
When used correctly, professional whitening products won’t damage the enamel of your teeth. The chemical components of the whitening gel penetrate the enamel and change the colour of the dentin underneath. Because dentin gives teeth their colour, bleaching it will make teeth seem whiter. However, although the whitening process is generally gentle and safe, it is important to avoid excessive use of whitening gel as it may lead to over-whitening of your teeth.
The fact is that having a professionally trained dentist perform the procedure will guarantee optimal results from tooth bleaching. Lessons learned from extensive experience will greatly enhance their ability to provide top-notch treatment.
‘Whitening teeth with natural remedies is just as effective’
There are many options for teeth whitening, including professional in-office whitening, dental veneers, and over-the-counter solutions. Meanwhile, there is a growing trend to favour such natural homemade treatments as strawberries, banana peels, coconut oil rinse, basil, lemon, activated charcoal, apple cider vinegar, baking soda, and turmeric in order to achieve whiter teeth. These home remedies may seem cost-effective and a convenient alternative – but can you really be sure that they work?
Unnatural teeth transformations
A person’s sparkling smile is frequently the first thing others notice about them, and few things are more attractive than a bright, healthy set of teeth. A-listers such as Simon Cowell, Victoria Beckham and Kate Middleton have all undergone extensive dental makeovers, resulting in gleaming teeth and picture-perfect smiles. But when their star treatment results in uniform-sized, dazzlingly white teeth – does that Hollywood smile look natural?
Well, thanks to technological advancements, you don’t have to go for the whitest, brightest teeth possible. All you need do is trust your dentist to find the shade that closely matches the natural colour of your teeth. Most whitening procedures can radically lighten your teeth, making them up to 8 times whiter than their original shade. However, achieving this level of whiteness is not always necessary or desirable.
Keeping it real
There are numerous myths associated with dentistry. Many of them are simply old wives’ tales and are easy to dismiss, though others can be more difficult to discount. Having a clear understanding of the reality, by talking to a professional dentist, will help dispel any concerns that you have, and will also help you enjoy your overall experience of having your teeth whitened. At the end of the day, it’s best to treat tales you may have heard with a healthy dose of scepticism until you’ve checked out the fascinating science behind modern professional dentistry.