According to a recent article in the Houston Chronicle, “bad teeth may help Houston police catch a home invader.” Two burglars had broken into a home and held up a family at gunpoint, and police were able to make a sketch of one of the men based, in part, on a description of his distinctive teeth — which had visible, black decay.
Although tooth decay is unlikely to lead to your arrest, it’s certainly true that people notice bad oral hygiene, and that the health of one’s teeth is often judged by the color, however fair or unfair this is. Teeth can become discolored in a number of ways. Decay is one big factor, but so is the consumption of staining foods and drinks. Everything from soda to tea can leave your teeth a bit dingier than before. Here are three ways to get whiter teeth.
Available Options for Teeth Whitening:
1. Brushing Teeth Often, the Right Way
Dentists recommend that patients brush their teeth two to three times a day, ideally after meals. An easy way to make sure you spend long enough on your teeth is to divide your mouth into quadrants, and spend 30 seconds brushing each quadrant. Harder isn’t always better: brushing too hard can cause your gums to wear down, or even cause enamel to erode, both of which will detract from the appearance of your teeth, and have the potential to invite decay.
2. At Home Teeth Whitening
As of 2013, the teeth whitening industry is now worth over $11 billion, and products range from special toothpastes to stick-on strips that bleach teeth as you go about your daily activities. If you have mild tooth discolouration, there are a wide range of whitening products available to you. Although whitening toothpaste is great for everyday upkeep, you will need, at the very least, a tray or strip treatment to see visible results. We recommend reading online teeth whitening reviews on all the latest products. Some might produce better results, for example, but can be especially difficult for individuals with sensitive teeth to handle.
3. Cosmetic Dentistry Services
If you need more than just a small lift on your tooth’s color, then you might want to consider visiting a dentist in order to have your teeth professionally whitened. The advantage here is that you can get very white teeth in one visit: perfect if you have a special event you need to be ready for. Teeth whitening costs about $200 a session on average, though this is dependent on what type of treatment your dentist is giving you, as well as the extent of your problems.
Do you think the cost of teeth whitening is worth it for the white teeth you get? Let us know in the comments.