Teeth Whiteing
Guide
HOW MANY TIMES A DAY/HOW LONG:
It is advised that you brush your teeth for two
minutes, twice a day, usually in the morning and
before you go to bed at night. Each time you
brush, be sure to clean the inner, outer, and
chewing sides of your teeth.
WHAT TYPE OF TOOTHBRUSH TO USE:
For the vast majority of people, a soft-bristled
toothbrush will be the most comfortable and
safest choice. Depending on how vigorously you
brush your teeth and the strength of your teeth,
medium- and hard-bristled brushes could
actually damage the gums, root surface, and
protective tooth enamel.
FOODS TO AVOID:
- Soda
- Coffee/Tea
- Soy Sauce
- Dark Juices
Annual dental cleaning
HOW MANY TIMES A YEAR:
A professional dental cleaning at least twice a
year can improve your oral health, reports the
Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), an
organization of general dentists dedicated to
continuing dental education. The AGD strongly
recommends that a dentist or hygienist
perform a dental cleaning every six months
Whitening Methods
1) Whitening gel of either Carbamide Peroxide or
Hydrogen Peroxide
Carbamide Peroxide
Carbamide Peroxide is the most popular of the
whitening systems. It is also the weaker of the two
at a given % strength. It is the safer and less
painful of the two. But it is similarly less effective
at whitening. In general, I would suggest you start
with Carbamide Peroxide, first. I would hold off
on Hydrogen Peroxide unless you find that you
don't respond to Carbamide Peroxide.
Carbamide Peroxide comes in strengths ranging
from 5%-44%. I would strongly suggest starting in
the 20% range. Nearly all people can tolerate
that strength without too much pain. I would only
buy the 10% if you try the 20% and find your
teeth are just too sensitive. The 35% and 44%
versions are quite strong. I would not suggest
starting with these. You may want to consider
them after your first treatment, if you didn't get
your teeth as white as you wanted.
I have personally used and can vouch for
20% Opalesence $24
35% Rapid Effects $8 (I know, its under $10
price made me skeptical too, but it's legit and
works).
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen Peroxide is by far the most powerful
of the two. This stuff is so strong that if you
leave it open next to 2Chainz bed, he'll look
like Macklemore by the morning.
It is 3x as powerful % to % as Carbamide
Peroxide. This stuff is effective. Almost anyone
can get teeth in the range of A3-A4 when using
this at high strengths. However, it comes with
downsides that you should consider. The most
important is the potential to damage enamel.
It's not uncommon for someone using high
strength Hydrogen Peroxide to do permanent
damage to their enamel. This stuff is strong, so
be careful with it!
Hydrogen Peroxide at 12% is similar to
Carbamide Peroxide at 35%. Unfortunately, I
have never seen legit Hydrogen Peroxide sold
above 12% strength. Does that mean that you
should never use it? I would only suggest it if
you've tried at least 35% Carbamide Peroxide
and still want better results. While it's strength
equivalent, it isn't the same. It works a lot
faster, and it is also stronger when paired with
an LED light. I'd consider it a last resort, but I
would suggest trying it, if you've used 44%
Carbamide Peroxide and still need something
more(this will be less than 10% of you).
Other supplies
You will need trays to put the gel in. You will
also need remineralizing gel. It will be used
after every treatment(you also put it in the tray
after washing it). You may consider getting
cotton makeup pads, and placing one under
your tongue when you use the trays to soak up
saliva.
The session
Your session time is important to your success. If
you don't use the gel for at least 20 minutes, your
results will be poor. But if you use it more than an
hour, you're basically spinning your wheels. It's a
waste of time and is not more effective than an
hour.
The optimal time is one hour of whitening
[Link]
tudy
After Whitening
After every single whitening session, I'd suggest
using re-mineralizing gel. The process of
bleaching is harsh on your teeth and they can
become dry if not treated. It also reduces pain
felt in the coming days after a treatment.
Length of whitening cycle
You should whiten your teeth every single day,
with no rest days for 14 days total. There have
been studies on this, and it is the most effective
way. Doing EoD or longer than 14 days is not
optimal.
Daily treatment for 14 days offers 90% of the
total results of a cycle vs 42 days
Months rest before next cycle
Your teeth need months to recover. You must wait
at least 6 months between treatments. Failure to
wait can result in enamel damage, and even
lessen the effectiveness of the whitening
treatment.
2) Oil Pulling
WHAT IS IT:
Oil pulling is an ancient, Indian folk remedy
claimed to whiten your teeth, freshen your breath
and greatly improve your oral health.
WHAT YOU NEED:
Coconut oil.
You can can also get the same bacteria-fighting
benefits with sesame or sunflower oil but coconut
oil has the added benefit of lauric acid, which is
well-known for its anti-microbial agents. A recent
study found that coconut oil may also help
prevent tooth decay.
HOW TO DO IT:
First, you’re gonna want to take about a fingertip
full of coconut oil.
Secondly, put the oil in your mouth and swish it
around for 30 minutes to an hour (5-10 minutes
a day is good to start with, slowly build your
way up to 30 minutes a day). It’s going to taste
like shit at first but eventually it’ll melt and
lose its flavor. Stick with this because the
longer you do it the better the results.
Finally, once you’ve done it for a good amount
of time, spit it out in the garbage or outside
cause it will clog your sink.
After doing it for a couple of weeks, you should
notice significantly whiter and healthier teeth.
EXPERT TIP:
"Coconut and sunflower oil aren't the only oils
with dental health benefits. For irritated,
inflamed gums, rub a little vitamin E oil directly
on the surface. It's rich in antioxidants easily
absorbed, and helps regenerate healthy gum
tissue." -- Jessica Emery, DMD
BEFORE AND AFTERS:
3) Laser teeth whitening
WHAT IS IT:
Laser whitening is a teeth whitening system
that utilizes a laser to activate the bleaching
agent placed on teeth. The laser reduces the
amount of time needed for the bleach to whiten
your teeth and also makes the bleach more
effective. Before the laser is used, a protective
gel will be placed on your gums to prevent
sensitivity and your lips will be held away from
your teeth. You will also wear protective
glasses. The whitening gel is applied to the
teeth and the laser is used to activate the gel.
Afterwards, your teeth are rinsed and you are
all set to go.
COST:
$100-$1000
Cost anywhere from $100 and up
4) Crest 3d strips
WHAT IS IT:
Teeth whitening strips contain peroxide or
bleach. Thus, they work to whiten your teeth the
same way bleach works to whiten your clothes
or your hair. The peroxide bleaches color from
your teeth in order to restore their natural,
white color. Most whitening strips are made out
of polyethylene, which is a thin, elastic type of
plastic. The plastic is coated with peroxide, and
certain types of strips contain more than
others. You apply the strips to your teeth
according to the package directions so that the
peroxide comes into contact with your enamel.
This allows the peroxide to remove stains and
discoloration from the surface of your teeth.
Some strips need to be removed after a certain
period of time, while others do not.
DO NOT:
Use whitening strips that contain chlorine
dioxide, you could destroy the enamel on your
teeth. Chlorine dioxide is the same acid that is
used to disinfect swimming pools. It whitens
teeth by eating away at the surface of the
enamel. Essentially, you are wearing down the
enamel on your teeth and increasing your risk
for tooth decay if you use this type of
whitening strip.
WHERE TO GET IT:
Local pharmacy, retail store, or online.
COST:
As low as $10
5) Activated Charcoal
WHAT IS IT:
Activated charcoal in toothpaste/powder may
help remove surface stains on your teeth.
Activated charcoal is different from regular
charcoal as it has been processed differently so
that is has more actual activity. Charcoal is
mildly abrasive and is also able to absorb
surface stains to some degree. There is no
evidence, though, that it has any effect on
stains below a tooth's enamel, or that it has a
natural whitening effect.
WHERE TO GET IT: Local retail stores, Amazon,
Ebay. etc.
COST: $5-$30
6) Dental Veneers
WHAT ARE THEY:
Dental veneers (sometimes
called porcelain veneers or
dental porcelain laminates)
are wafer-thin, custom-made
shells of tooth-colored
materials designed to cover
the front surface of teeth to
improve your appearance.
These shells are bonded to the
front of the teeth changing
their color, shape, size, or
length.
COST:
Traditional veneers can cost an average of $925 to $2,500 per
tooth and can last 10 to 15 years.
They are expensive and not worth it imho
Strengthening Tooth Enamel
Calcium- plays a role in making the jaw bones
healthy and strong to hold the teeth in place.
However, calcium needs phosphorus to
maximize its bone strengthening benefits.
Magnesium- aids in the absorption of calcium. It
also assists with activating many of the B
vitamins. Magnesium makes teeth harder, helps
to build strong enamel for your teeth and helps
prevent the formation of cavities.
Vitamin D3- is doubly important because not
only does it boost mineral density, it also helps
absorb, carry, and deposit calcium in the bones
that support your teeth—it is an essential
vitamin when it comes to your body absorbing
calcium.
Vitamin A- a key nutrient in your gums’ health as
well as tooth enamel. Teeth enamel contain
keratin, a protein that uses vitamin A in its
formation process. Inclusion of vitamin A rich
foods or supplements into your diet may help
strengthen enamel.
Vitamin C- plays an important role in the
synthesis of collagen in dentin, making it a
valuable vitamin when it comes to oral health.
Vitamin C also plays a vital role in the growth,
repair, and maintenance of teeth.
Phosphorous- plays a critical role in dental
health because it can naturally help protect
and help rebuild tooth enamel.
Vitamin K2- helps strengthen teeth due to its
important role as a calcium-binder. It can also
assist with both bone growth and bone
density.
