A healthy smile showing straight, white teeth is something most of us aspire to in these body-conscious days, so dominated by magazine photographs of ‘perfect-looking’ celebrities.
You may be forgiven for thinking you can never achieve the smiles of the rich and famous, but you’d be wrong. It is now easier than ever to get the look you want.
Many things can stop your teeth from having that healthy, white smile – tea, red wine and smoking are just a few obvious ones. Giving up cigarettes will obviously help, and of course not just your smile will benefit, but there are other actions you can take to help whiten your toothy grin.
Doing it yourself
It is possible to buy over-the-counter preparations – there are more treatments available in pharmacists and supermarkets than ever before.
Whitening toothpastes are the easiest to use. Just brush twice a day, as part of your normal routine, and, say the manufacturers, your smile will soon be dazzling everyone you meet.
Of course, all toothpaste removes some stains, as it contains mild abrasives. The harshness of the toothpaste determines how much of the stain will be removed. Whitening toothpastes contain harsher abrasives, while some have chemical or polishing agents which gently clean and whiten your teeth.
Other over-the-counter methods, such as whitening strips, rinses and gels, are more expensive and usually more effective, but as with most treatments, results vary and not everyone will get a pure white smile.
Ask the experts
If you want better results than doing it yourself, you may want to ask your dentist for advice. Docklands Dental is just one dentist in Dublin, that offers a range of whitening treatments which will leave you feeling like a superstar.
Although getting the experts to whiten your teeth is more expensive, there is little doubt that it will be more effective, and safer, too. According to health website WebMD, your dentist can match the type of stain on your teeth to the most appropriate method of removing it.
Things to consider
Children and pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid tooth-whitening, while those with allergies or sensitive teeth should get professional advice.
Even the most expensive treatments will eventually wear off and need to be repeated, if you want to keep that Hollywood smile.