3 Things You Should Know About At-Home Teeth Whitening

Most people want to have a bright smile, and it is one of the first things that people notice about you. If you have yellow or stained teeth, you probably don’t feel confident about smiling, which can make you avoid certain people or situations. Fortunately, numerous products on the market can help whiten your teeth. If you decide to whiten your teeth at home, there are some essential things you should know. Let’s take a look at them below.

It’s Most Effective Before Bed

According to Amabrush, it is always best to whiten your teeth before bed because, unless you’re a sleep eater, you won’t be eating or drinking like you would during the day. This allows the whitening product to penetrate your teeth more effectively. The earlier you go to bed and stop eating and drinking, the more time the product has to get to work brightening your teeth. Just make sure you don’t go to bed with whitening strips still on your teeth, as this can damage your enamel.

It May Be Less Effective on Crooked Teeth

If your teeth are not straight, you may not get the desired results you want when using certain whitening products. According to Lakeside Dental, products found online or in stores are not customized to individuals, so they may be less effective for people whose teeth aren’t straight. If you have very crooked teeth, your dentist will typically recommend getting them fixed before attempting to whiten them. Depending on the condition of your teeth, this could cost hundreds or thousands of dollars. Your dentist can create custom whitening trays by taking impressions of your teeth and sending them off to a dental lab. Whitening trays are inexpensive and typically very effective. The level of whitening can also be adjusted to meet expectations. Whitening strips typically produce uneven results on crooked teeth because they can’t be applied evenly.

Whiten Before Brushing

While it may sound strange, it is actually best to whiten your teeth before you clean them. Most products rely on tooth plaque to help adhere to your teeth. In most cases, perfectly clean teeth will limit the effectiveness of whitening products. Also, brushing or flossing before whitening can make your gums more sensitive to the whitening solution. Of course, you shouldn’t whiten if you have obvious bits of food stuck in your teeth. For best results, follow the instructions provided with the product that you are using.

Whitening your teeth can improve your smile and boost your confidence. Most whitening products (such as whitening trays) are easy to use, inexpensive, and produce excellent results. With the tips above, you can achieve whiter teeth and smile without hesitation.