10 Safe and Effective Ways to get Whiter, Brighter Teeth

Teeth whitening can be done safely and effectively in office or at home if prior assessments are done and proper instructions are followed. Did you know that our daily habits also contribute to yellower, discoloured teeth? Here are 10 safe and effective ways to achieve whiter and brighter teeth.

1. Receive professional dental cleanings

Visiting a certified dental professional such as a dental hygienist to remove extrinsic staining and tartar on the teeth through scaling, root planing and polishing will help make your teeth look whiter. Various yellow, brown, black or even green stains from food or other intrinsic factors can accumulate on your teeth over time and regular brushing is not enough to remove them. Tartar can also form on the teeth, which make your teeth look discoloured and dull.

2. Proper oral self care

Impeccable home care can minimize the buildup of stain/tartar in between dental cleanings. Review your oral hygiene self care with your dental hygienist to improve your brushing and interdental cleaning technique. A gentle and enamel safe whitening toothpaste may also be recommended if you are not looking for drastic whitening. Replace your toothbrush every 2-3 months or when you get sick.

3. Limit stain causing food/drinks and tobacco use

Stain causing foods/drinks can range from chocolates, berries, soy sauce, spices to coffee, red wine and tea. The longer these substances is left on your teeth, the more likely they will to stain your teeth. Tobacco is also a major culprit of staining. It is not about the quantity you consume but the frequency of exposure you have with these substances that dictate the severity of staining.

4. Rinse/ drink water after consumption

Drinking adequate amount of water is a healthy habit for your health as well as oral health. After having stain causing food/drinks, rinsing with water or drinking water afterwards can minimize the stain from adhering to your teeth, especially after consuming sticky foods/drinks.

5. Maintain a moist oral environment

Your saliva is a natural cleansing agent for your teeth. The mechanical removal of debris with saliva can decrease your chances of accumulating stains. If you drink lots of water throughout the day and still notice a dry or sticky, consult your physician as certain medications or underlying medical conditions may be causing the dry mouth (xerostomia).

6. Decrease acidity in diet

The outside layer of your teeth is white but the second layer of your teeth is actually yellow. As the enamel thins or wears down over time due to certain habits such as frequent acid consumption, your teeth may become more translucent and appear yellow as the second layer of your teeth becomes more visible. Decreasing acidic intake such as sweets, juices, fruits and carbohydrates will limit the acidic attack on your teeth; thus maintaining the integrity of your enamel.

7. Safe in-office whitening treatment

Receiving an in-office whitening treatment from a certified dental professional can be one of the most effective and safest way to drastically whiten your teeth. A high grade hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide may be used as the active agent to chemically whiten the teeth. Not all individuals are ideal candidates for teeth whitening; thus an examination by a certified dental professionals should be performed to determine if an in-office whitening is a good option for you.

8. Safe at-home whitening treatment/ products

At-home whitening treatments may be recommended for suitable individuals by dental professionals either alone or in conjunction with in-office teeth whitening sessions. Clear instructions and precautions should be followed to prevent side effects of the whitening agent. A consultation with a dental professional is recommended prior to using any dental products unsupervised.

9. Identify poor habits

Root exposure or enamel wear/loss can make your teeth appear yellow and discoloured. A dental professional can pinpoint the cause of these habits and correct or minimize the effects of these habits with proper toothbrushing technique, night guard or other preventative treatments.

10. Routine replacement of restorations/ fillings

Overtime, fillings, crowns, implants or other restorations may change colour due to breakage, leakage or staining. Since whitening agents will not whiten restorations, replacing these restorations will whiten and allow your restorations to continue to serve their function.

10 Signs You Should Visit a Dental Hygienist

Taking care of your oral health helps promote overall health. Contrary to popular belief, losing teeth is not a natural process of aging. Prevention is key to keeping your teeth for life and visiting a dental hygienist will prolong and maintain the health of your gums and teeth. Here are some signs and symptoms which may indicate it is time for you to see a registered dental hygienist.

1. Bleeding or swollen gums

Bleeding gums is a sign of inflammation that requires treatment. Inflammation occurs when bacteria irritate the gums; causing bleeding, swelling, pain and sometimes heat. Dental hygienists will provide appropriate treatments to promote healthier gums.

2. Accumulation of tartar/deposits on teeth

Our self oral care at home is not sufficient to remove all plaque and debris inside our mouth. Overtime, plaque and debris harden and become tartar or calculus. At this point, professional dental cleaning which may include scaling and root planing performed by a certified dental professional can efficiently and safely remove the deposits. Dental hygienists are trained dental professionals who are skilled at removing tartar/calculus.

3. Bad breath (Halitosis)

Bad breath can be embarrassing and affect our social well being. Bad breath caused by foods such as garlic and coffee are temporary and usually subside. Chronic bad breath indicates a deeper issue related to oral disease or systemic health. It is vital to visit a dental professional to rule out oral disease and receive necessary treatments.

4. Stained/ discoloured teeth

Foods and drinks such as coffee, wine, berries and chocolates as well as tobacco use can cause external staining of the teeth. Dental hygienists are trained to remove these extrinsic stains using proper tools and techniques such as polishing. After extrinsic stains are removed, an in-office teeth whitening procedure using hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide may be performed to remove more intrinsic teeth staining. Teeth whitening may not be suitable for all individuals and an assessment is needed prior to determine if the treatment is ideal.

5. Toothache

A toothache can be painful and treated if identified early. However, if left untreated, more complicated or radical dental procedures such as root canal, crown or extraction may be needed. Visiting a dental professional such as a dental hygienist at regular intervals for proper treatments or referrals can prevent unnecessary procedures or costs in the future.

6. Teeth sensitivity to cold, hot or pressure

Teeth sensitivity can affect our nutrition when we cannot chew or consume certain foods/drinks. Teeth sensitivity may be caused by acidic intake, exposed roots or second layer of teeth, clenching/grinding habits or other dental causes. When identified, teeth sensitivity can be mitigated or treated with the appropriate dental procedures such as desensitizing techniques.

7. Dry mouth (Xerostomia)

Our saliva naturally cleans the mouth; a decrease in flow of saliva puts us at risk for cavities, gum disease and bad breath. Causes of dry mouth or xerostomia can range from Sjögren's Syndrome, thyroid disease, but most commonly from the side effects of consuming medications. A dental hygienist may help patients create a tailored treatment plan to alleviate the discomfort associated with dry mouth and create a healthier environment in the mouth.

8. Pain/sores on the soft tissues in mouth

You may or may not notice sores or lesions in the mouth as they can be painful (symptomatic) or painless (asymptomatic). Routine check up of the oral cavity for lumps, bumps or new lesions is crucial for oral cancer detection and prevention. Dental hygienists can also educate patients on self evaluation of oral cancer at home.

9. Crowded teeth

Whether you have or have not undergone orthodontic or teeth straightening treatment, crowded teeth may develop anytime. Aesthetically, crowding of the teeth can decrease one’s self esteem but more importantly crowding can impact the function of your teeth such as speech, chewing and how your teeth fit together. Furthermore, crowding makes self oral hygiene routine such as brushing and flossing difficult, resulting in increase buildup of bacteria in hard to reach areas.

10. Jaw pain/ headaches

Do you find yourself clenching your teeth during the day due to stress? Are you waking up with a sore jaw or headaches? You may have clenching or grinding or parafunctional habits. These habits can lead to the wearing of tooth structure, losing of past restorations such as fillings/crowns, headaches and jaw problems such as locking, clicking and pain.