Safe Home Teeth Whitening in Kenya

Looking to have a set of those pearly white teeth? Look no further!

Ever seen your favorite celebrities and wondered how they always manage to have white bright teeth? The truth is not many people are born with white teeth and even if this is the case, over time, teeth tend to discolor due to the foods or drinks we take such as caffeinated drinks.

You may have put in the effort to ensure you floss and brush your teeth religiously but it just doesn’t seem to work!

The key to a beautiful smile and even to look younger, is sparkling white teeth, something that these actors and actresses have discovered. So how do they achieve this look so effortlessly? Well, the secret’s out – Teeth whitening!

The thing is, your smile is one of the first things people will notice about you and white bright teeth give people some sense of confidence and improve the overall appearance of someone, allowing you to take those pictures boldly.

As a result of the film industry and more recently, the influencers, there is a lot of pressure to look good and this has made teeth whitening grow into a billion-dollar industry. So how do you get the bright white teeth without the paycheck these celebrities receive?

Well, we are bearers of good news! Teeth whitening can be done effectively and efficiently from the comfort of your own home. But let us first understand the different types of teeth whitening; there are two types:

1. Extrinsic Whitening – this works by removing stains using mild abrasives from the exterior part of the teeth. In so doing, the color underneath is revealed but does not necessarily change the color of the teeth.

Extrinsic stains are mostly caused by the food or drinks we take for instance if you enjoy drinking coffee, tea, soda, and/or red wine, your teeth may get discolored.

Additionally, your teeth may darken if you eat certain bright-colored foods such as blueberries, beetroot, tomato-based sauces, and curries especially those with turmeric, and those who use tobacco products.

These exterior stains however can be removed using at-home whitening products.

2. Intrinsic Whitening: This works by using a bleaching agent (carbamide peroxide) to change the color of the enamel of your teeth. Intrinsic stains are majorly caused by infections, typical aging, certain medications, deficient restorations – fillings, and trauma.

Majority of the teeth whitening products apply either of two main chemicals; that is – carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide, as the active whitening agent.

The difference between these two chemicals is that hydrogen peroxide breaks down faster and has a shorter shelf life as compared to carbamide peroxide.

So which are the Best Ways to Brighten Your Teeth at Home? Let us have a look:

1. Teeth Whitening Tray:

This is a mouthguard-like tray filled with a gel or paste made of a peroxide solution. It is one of the best and most sustainable ways to whiten teeth and is quite easy to use.

The tray works by sitting it over your teeth for a few minutes, or hours, some people prefer to use it overnight up until you achieve your preferred shade of white.

2. Teeth Whitening Strips:

These strips are made of small pieces of flexible plastic that are coated with a whitening gel. The strips work by applying the part with the gel to the teeth and the peroxide-based solution in the gel penetrates the teeth enamel.

The strips give teeth prolonged exposure to the whitening chemical over some time. Not to worry about how long to have them on.

Each of these strips, depending on the brand, will give instructions on the length of time to have them each day, as well as the number of days you should have them on for excellent results

3. Teeth Whitening Toothpaste:

Unlike normal toothpaste, whitening toothpastes use a combination of ingredients such as hydrogen peroxide or Carbamide, hydrated silica, perlite, and alumina or Hydroxyapatite to remove surface stains.

Whitening toothpastes are relatively inexpensive but this has not compromised their effectiveness. Studies done have shown that they effectively brighten teeth typically by about one or two shades. However, they do not intrinsically whiten teeth.

4. Teeth Whitening Pens:

Just like the other options, whitening pens typically use either a hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide base. They are, however, less efficient at whitening and often not recommended as the only whitener.

The reason is that without some sort of guard or bumper to keep lips away from the gel, the saliva will quickly dilute it. Nonetheless, the whitening pen can be used as an on-the-go option for retouching and maintenance.

As much as these over-the-counter options are available, it is important to first ensure that you are practicing good oral hygiene. To achieve this you need to:

• Brush your teeth at least twice per day and if you have had meals containing sugary, acidic, or processed foods, then brush your teeth after 45 minutes.
• Scraping your tongue every day.
• Flossing at least once a day.

Avoid or cut down on acidic and tannin-rich foods and beverages such as:

• Black teas and coffee.
• White and red wine.
• Sports drinks.
• Carbonated beverages.
• Berries and other strongly-colored foods.
• Sauces (soy, tomato, curries).

 

Please Note that not all teeth whitening products and methods are safe to use so avoid:

Kiosk Teeth Whitening: These kiosks are quite popular in the malls but unfortunately, most of the attendants are untrained in the administration of teeth whitening products.

Whitening Mouthwash: Bleaching agents need to be held up against the teeth for a couple of minutes or even more to penetrate the inner part of the tooth and activate teeth whitening.

In addition….

Always make sure you are not skipping on those dental appointments. Visits to the dentist help curb issues before they become problematic. Teeth cleaning every 6 months can help prevent tooth stains and yellowing.

Dentists can also help remove tartar from your teeth which can otherwise be removed with any at-home solutions. Getting rid of tartar improves the color of teeth as well as inhibits the potential cases of cavities, gum disease, and even painful tooth abscesses.

It is also important to accept that some yellowing of the teeth will come up, it is just a normal part of aging. Smile because it means you have lived a little and enjoyed the spoils of life 🙂