Teeth Whitening at Home or Elsewhere? Seven Tips

1. Teeth whitening at home: affordable, a little time-consuming, very good results

These days whitening your teeth at home has become the new normal. In the past people paid a lot to buy this service at the dentist, but that is no longer necessary. Dentists mostly use a whitening gel that contains hydrogen peroxide, which in the long run damages teeth and gums. Hydrogen peroxide corrodes the teeth and removes stains that way.

Doing this once a year is perfectly fine, but more often and over a longer period it is harmful. It is also quite an expensive procedure. The journal “Interdisciplinary Dentistry” writes about home teeth whitening as if it were the golden egg.

This recognition for home whitening comes from the fact that it is a very safe, affordable procedure with high-quality results.

Tooth trays are a very important part here: they let you make a whitening tray that fits your own teeth exactly at home. That means the gel is in maximum contact with your teeth. Making the tray is extremely easy: the rubber tray is placed in hot water for a moment and then pressed between your teeth to make an impression.

Home teeth whitening is done with a gel that does not contain hydrogen peroxide. That mainly means two things: the gel is completely safe, but the process takes a little longer than at the dentist, about 30 to 60 minutes at home. But what else do you do while sitting in front of the TV or computer? It is recommended to repeat the process after a few months, or as needed. By following the instructions you can achieve amazing results!

A study published in 2013 in the journal “South African Dentist Association” found that four weeks after whitening, only 13% to 26% of people saw yellowing coming back. With other methods the figure was over 50%. It is important to mention here that people should only use recognised, tested and safe home whitening kits. Be sure to ask your dentist for recommendations and do some research yourself. Beaming White teeth whitening products, which have passed the checks of the Estonian Health Board, have been approved and comply with EU regulations, are sold exclusively in the iSmile.ee online shop. If you have any questions, please let us know! Be sure to follow the enclosed instructions and do not exceed the recommended use. If you use whitening too often your gums may become sensitive.

Academic journals have a lot to say about cosmetic teeth whitening. The effectiveness of the process has been measured and studied for years, and the results are mostly positive.

It is also worth avoiding foods that cause pigmentation. Remineralisation can help too.

Studies and data show that home teeth whitening leads to very good results very quickly. Despite all the benefits, you should always consult your dentist and ask for recommendations on whitening at home. Everyone’s teeth and oral hygiene are different, so results differ too.

2. Whitening at the dentist

Many studies say that whitening at the dentist is the fastest method to a white smile. It is certainly also the most expensive.

In Estonia dentists are allowed to use hydrogen peroxide with a concentration of up to 6%. Although it is a very effective chemical for whitening teeth, it is still a corrosive substance. If the procedure is carried out by an inexperienced dentist, it can end in gum inflammation or some other serious problem.

The dentist fits guards in the mouth that protect the gums from the whitening gel. This is so that the hydrogen peroxide does not damage the gums or make them sensitive.

3. Cleaning teeth with baking soda

Adding ordinary baking soda to toothpaste can significantly improve the toothpaste’s ability to remove surface stains from teeth and whiten them. One study demonstrated that toothpastes containing sodium bicarbonate reduce the internal yellowing of teeth.

In addition, according to data published in the “Journal of Clinical Dentistry”, 270 people were studied in five clinical trials, and the conclusion was that a toothpaste containing a larger amount of baking soda removes stains more effectively than other natural pastes.

4. Remineralisation (what a word!)

Poor oral hygiene, sugary foods and orthodontic procedures increase the chance that bacteria and sugar come together. This leads to a process known as “demineralisation”, which is bad for tooth enamel. Because of it teeth can start to decay more easily, and tiny white spots can appear that spoil the even colour of the tooth. Home teeth whitening does not help against these spots, and even a professional dentist can do nothing about them.

Remineralisation is very healthy for tooth enamel, and one study published in the journal “Compendium of Continuing Education in Dentistry” showed that patients’ white spots disappeared smoothly! Even after whitening at the dentist had changed nothing.

Remineralisation can be encouraged by using a suitable toothpaste, cleaning your teeth with floss, eating foods rich in minerals and vitamins and avoiding sugary drinks.

5. Avoid pigmented foods and drinks

Teeth whitening, whether at home or at the dentist, may not be effective because some diets, foods and drinks can cancel it out. Anionic polyphenols are an ingredient that forms a thick stain on the tooth when it comes into contact with saliva. This substance is found most in red wine, black tea and dark chocolate.

You should not consume such things for at least 24 hours after whitening your teeth at home! There is a very high chance that it will cancel out all your effort.

6. Sugar-free chewing gum: really?

There is a lot of scientific research supporting the teeth-whitening properties of sugar-free chewing gum! In a two-week experiment, people who chewed gum reduced dental stains by 43% on average, regardless of the gum’s flavour or material.

In addition, a study published in 2010 in the “British Dental Journal” found that chewing sugar-free gum reduced tooth and gum sensitivity after whitening.

7. Strawberry juice

Over the past decade, tips have appeared everywhere on how home teeth whitening could look with everyday ingredients. We warn that many of these methods still need confirmation of their effectiveness and safety.

One scientific study did find and confirm that strawberry juice has an effective teeth-whitening ability.

After prolonged contact of the teeth with strawberry juice, the tooth enamel was found to have visibly whitened. This natural teeth whitening process is possible because strawberries contain ellagic acid, which has a whitening effect.

Most acids do damage tooth enamel, but ellagic acid has beneficial properties that oxidise and protect it.