Teeth Whitening Tips: Scientific Methods and Daily Care

We often use "red lips and white teeth" to describe a person's beauty. This is mainly because in our impression, if a person has white teeth and pink lips, then they must be beautiful and clean. In addition, we often say "whiteness can hide a hundred uglinesses". The main meaning is that if a person is very fair, even if he or she does not look outstanding, he or she will be very attractive, good-looking and lovable. In fact, this sentence can also be used for teeth. After all, when we talk or laugh, only white teeth can improve the good impression we leave on others. On the contrary, if the teeth are burnt yellow and full of dirt, it will leave people with negative impressions such as dirty, unkempt, lazy, etc., and they will not like to contact with them, thus affecting their own social circle.

**1. ** Causes of tooth discoloration

Understanding the causes of tooth discoloration is the first step to achieve teeth whitening. The causes of tooth discoloration mainly include endogenous and exogenous.

1. Endogenous factors

Endogenous factors mainly include heredity, age, disease, etc. Heredity may cause the teeth to be darker in color; with age, the enamel layer of the teeth will gradually become thinner, revealing the yellow dentin inside; some diseases such as tetracycline teeth and fluorosis can also cause tooth discoloration.

2. Exogenous factors

Exogenous factors mainly include diet, living habits, oral hygiene, etc. Long-term drinking of colored beverages such as coffee, tea, red wine, bad living habits such as smoking and chewing betel nuts, and poor oral hygiene can cause pigments to adhere to the surface of teeth, forming tooth stains and plaques.

2. Scientific methods of whitening teeth

To address the causes of tooth discoloration, we can take the following scientific methods to whiten teeth.

**1.** Teeth whitening toothpaste

Teeth whitening toothpaste contains some special ingredients such as peroxide and hydroxide, which can remove the pigment and stains on the surface of teeth. However, it should be noted that teeth whitening toothpaste cannot change the color of the teeth themselves, but can only remove the pigment on the surface. Therefore, when using teeth whitening toothpaste, it is necessary to use the correct brushing method and good oral hygiene habits.

**2.** Professional whitening toothpaste and tooth strips

Professional whitening toothpaste and tooth strips contain higher concentrations of whitening ingredients, which can remove pigments and stains on the surface of teeth more deeply. They usually need to be used under the guidance of a dentist. When using professional whitening toothpaste and tooth strips, you need to follow the instructions on the instructions.

**3.** Scaling and polishing

Teeth cleaning is to use professional teeth cleaning equipment to remove tooth stains and plaque on the surface of teeth, so that teeth can restore their natural color. Polishing is to use a polisher to polish the surface of teeth after teeth cleaning to make teeth smoother and whiter. Teeth cleaning and polishing are the more common teeth whitening methods.

**4.** Cold light whitening

Cold light whitening is a method that uses a specific wavelength of blue light to illuminate the tooth surface and apply a whitening agent at the same time. Under the action of the blue light, the whitening agent can penetrate into the teeth faster and react with the pigment, thereby achieving the effect of whitening the teeth. Cold light whitening is a relatively safe and effective method of teeth whitening.

**5.** Porcelain teeth and porcelain veneers

Porcelain veneers and porcelain veneers are a method of whitening teeth by repairing the surface of teeth. Porcelain veneers cover the entire tooth surface with a layer of porcelain material, thereby changing the color and shape of the teeth; porcelain veneers stick a thin layer of porcelain material on the surface of the teeth to cover the pigments and stains on the surface of the teeth.

3. Daily care skills

In addition to taking scientific whitening methods, daily care is also the key to keeping your teeth white. Here are some daily care tips:

**1.** Brush your teeth correctly

Correct brushing is the basis for maintaining oral health. Brush your teeth at least twice a day, 2-3 minutes each time. When brushing your teeth, you need to use the Bass brushing method, that is, the toothbrush is at a 45-degree angle to the teeth, and the tooth surface and the gaps between the teeth are cleaned in a horizontal vibration. At the same time, you need to use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to protect the health of your teeth and oral cavity.

2. Use mouthwash

Mouthwash can help clean the mouth, remove residual food and bacteria, and prevent oral diseases. Using mouthwash after brushing your teeth can further keep your mouth clean and your breath fresh.

**3.** Regularly clean your teeth

Regular teeth cleaning is an effective way to keep teeth white. It is recommended to clean your teeth at least once a year to remove stains and plaque on the surface of your teeth. When cleaning your teeth, you should choose a professional dentist and dental cleaning equipment to ensure safety and effectiveness.

**4.** Quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption

Smoking and drinking are important factors that cause tooth discoloration. Quitting smoking and limiting alcohol consumption can reduce pigmentation on the surface of teeth and keep teeth white.

5. Balanced diet

A balanced diet can keep your body and mouth healthy. Eating more foods rich in vitamins and minerals, such as vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, can help keep your teeth healthy. At the same time, eat less high-sugar, high-fat, and high-pigment foods to reduce pigmentation on the surface of your teeth.

Teeth whitening is a long-term process. By adopting scientific whitening methods and daily care tips, we can gradually improve the color of teeth. At the same time, we should also pay attention to maintaining good oral hygiene and eating habits to prevent tooth discoloration.

Author: Deng Fengli , General Practitioner, Department of Stomatology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine