Teeth Whitening Treatment

Updated: 2/27/2020

After years of pouring wine, coffee and soft drinks over your teeth, you may be looking in the mirror wondering if you can ever recover the pearly whites from your youth. Even beyond discoloration from drinks, your teeth may have also been stained from cigarettes or brushing your teeth too hard. So, what can you do to get your smile back into shape?

Teeth whitening has become popular and affordable in the last decade. From at-home treatments to affordable dental procedures, teeth whitening is available. If you’re looking for the best teeth whitening solution for you, you essentially have 3 options for treatment: an affordable dental procedure, an at-home whitening kit or an all-natural home remedy option.

Affordable Dental Option

The safest and best option, if you can afford it, is going to the dentist to have your teeth professionally whitened. Dentists know exactly what they are doing when it comes to interacting with your teeth.

Some discount plans offer discounts for teeth whitening, which will allow you to get your teeth whitened at a reduced cost (20% off). Discounts for cosmetic work are up to the discretion of the dentist since they aren’t medically necessary treatments, so you’ll want to check with your dentist to make sure.

Home Treatment Option

If you want to avoid the dentist, you can also purchase a teeth whitening kit. You could even opt for something as simple as a whitening toothpaste. These methods are somewhat “hit-and-miss” as far as how effective they will be for your teeth, and if you have sensitive teeth, be cautious as home teeth whitening kits will often accentuate your sensitivity.

All-Natural Option

Finally, for the person who prefers home remedies, you could try a blend of some goods you have at home to create a whitening agent for your teeth. A common recommendation is to combine 1 ripe strawberry and a teaspoon of baking soda.  Mash the two ingredients into a paste and brush onto your teeth. The secret to this inexpensive home whitening method is malic acid, which acts as an astringent to remove surface discoloration. While it’s no replacement for a bleaching treatment at your dentist’s office, “this is a fast, cheap way to brighten your smile,” says Adina Carrel, DMD, a dentist in private practice at Manhattan Dental Arts in New York. “Be careful not to use this too often, though, as the acid could damage the enamel on your teeth.” (Source)

Whitening your teeth can be as simple as purchasing an affordable dental plan or mixing some ingredients you have on hand in your home. If you want to improve your smile even more, go to the dentist today and find out what he can do to help you feel beautiful every time you smile.