What’s the #1 go-to to cosmetically enhance your smile? Teeth whitening.
Last year around 37 million Americans chose to whiten their teeth and brighten their world. And why not? Teeth whitening can be an effective, and non-invasive way, to make your smile stand out even more.
Unfortunately, many teeth whitening treatments or methods just aren’t very effective, efficient, or even long-lasting. But your teeth whitening efforts don’t have to be in vain.
If you’re thinking of brightening your smile in 2025, you can avoid a bad teeth whitening experience, and get great results for your time and effort…if you follow some tips.
Here are 10 Ways to Effectively Whiten Your Teeth + Reduce Any Side Effects!
- Pick the Right Teeth Whitening Method–
– Professional Whitening: Consider visiting your friendly Burien neighborhood dentist for a professional whitening treatment. Our whitening treatments offer stronger whitening agents and we can offer tailored options like in-office treatments or take-home trays. Plus we can oversee your whitening to make sure that you reach your goals while protecting the health of your teeth and gums.
– Over-the-Counter: Whitening strips or gels can be effective, but be sure to choose ones with a proven track record and proper concentrations of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. Please keep in mind tat take-home trays won’t fit as snugly as the ones we custom design for your teeth, and the whitening solutions may irritate your gums too, especially if the solutions leak out of the trays. If you do decide to try an over-the-counter DIY whitening, please do let us know, so that we can make sure that your gums and tooth enamel aren’t being compromised. - Try a Teeth Whitening Toothpaste
Whitening toothpastes contain mild abrasives and gentle polishing agents that can help remove some surface stains on your teeth. A whitening toothpaste isn’t a substitute for stronger whitening treatments, it can help maintain your whitening efforts. Note: Using a whitening toothpaste can lead to teeth sensitivity, as well as irritate your gums, and damage enamel if you use them too often. Some whitening toothpastes are more abrasive than others, so please check this. And, again, as with any DYI whitening treatment, please do let us know the type of whitening toothpaste you use, and how often you’re using it. - Stay Consistent
However you choose to whiten your teeth, staying consistent with your efforts is the key. Please do follow the instructions for the treatment you choose, and complete the recommended full course to get the best results. - Brush Before Whitening
Brushing your teeth before you use a whitening product helps to ensure that you start your treatment with a clean tooth surface. This will help the whitening agent to work more effectively. Tip: Don’t brush your teeth immediately after you whiten your teeth, as your tooth enamel may be temporarily softened and could be susceptible to damage, especially if you brush too hard. - Beware of Tooth Staining Foods and Drinks
Reward your whitening efforts by being mindful of certain foods and drinks that will stain your teeth. Some of these teeth staining culprits include coffee, tea, red wine, or berries. Consuming these during your whitening treatment can reverse or slow down the whitening process. Can’t live without your coffee? No worries. If you do drink or eat foods that stain your teeth, you help flush out any staining residue by rinsing your mouth with water immediately afterwards. - Use a Straw for Dark Beverages
Using a straw to drink some of the beverages that can stain your teeth is another way to give your whitening efforts a better chance. This will help minimize beverages like coffee, tea, soft drinks, or wine from contacting your teeth. - Add a Desensitizing Toothpaste
Some people may be more prone to tooth sensitivity during their teeth whitening. Adding a desensitizing toothpaste before and after whitening treatments can help. These toothpastes contain potassium nitrate or fluoride to help reduce sensitivity, so they can help make your whitening efforts more comfortable. If you already have sensitive teeth, please do let us know before you decide to start any teeth whitening treatment. - Take Some Breaks Between Your Whitening Treatments
Whether you’re using our professional take-home whitening treatment or an over-the-counter whitening product, give your teeth some time to recover between sessions. This will help prevent overuse and minimize potential tooth enamel damage to your teeth, as well as tooth sensitivity issues. - Keep Your Mouth Hydrated
Drink plenty of water during and after your teeth whitening efforts to help wash away the whitening agent and keep your mouth moist. Keeping your mouth moist will also help minimize dryness and discomfort. - Stay On Top of Your Dental Check-Ups
Your visits with us are crucial to ensure that your teeth and gums stay healthy during your teeth whitening efforts. Dr. Kyle will monitor for tooth sensitivity and also check for any underlying issues, such as cavities, gum irritation, or any existing restorative dental work, that could affect your whitening treatment. He will also suggest the best treatment for your cosmetic goals, as well as your dental health needs.
Following some these tips can help you maximize your teeth whitening efforts, and attain your cosmetic goals, while also minimizing any discomfort or damage to your teeth and gums.
When you’re ready to brighten your smile, you can rely on us for a safe, successful teeth whitening experience.
We continue to do our best to make our Burien and Normandy Park neighborhoods even brighter, one smile at a time! Please give us a call at (206) 242-0066 to schedule a teeth whitening consultation or reach out to us online!
P.S. Here are 5 Reasons You Can Rely On Us for a Better Whitening Experience!
