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If you feel like your smile lacks some sparkle, teeth whitening can be used to put the shine back. Between the foods we eat and the beverages we drink, not to mention other habits (like smoking), it is challenging to keep your smile as bright and white as you would like.
There are various whitening options to choose from, including in-office bleaching, at-home bleaching from your dentist, or the use of over-the-counter products.
Are At-Home Teeth Whitening Hacks Worth It? And Are They Safe?
If you walk down the aisles of your local drugstore or spend five minutes on the internet, you can find numerous “at-home” teeth whitening products, ranging from toothpastes to strips to charcoal powders.
A current popular “teeth whitening hack” involves using charcoal powder. Charcoal powder is an organic and all-natural way to help whiten your teeth and remove surface stains.
Charcoal is mildly abrasive and has absorption and detoxification capabilities to hold on to and lift the stains away. The odorless and tasteless mineral has large pores that bind on surface stains and plaque, helping trap and lift stains away for a natural whitening effect.
While there is no scientific evidence showing its effect on stains below a tooth’s enamel, it may help remove surface stains from the teeth—the kind that you get from coffee, tea, red wine, etc., particularly if used after a professional cleaning.
Be careful to lightly graze teeth when using activated charcoal to avoid scratching, chipping, or damaging the enamel of your teeth. The abrasive properties of the activated charcoal may lead to enamel erosion which can cause tooth sensitivity or make your teeth appear even yellower when the dentin of your teeth is exposed.
Professional Teeth Whitening: Time Tested and Proven
While everyone wants to believe that at-home hacks will solve all of their concerns, such as yellowing teeth, they can prove to be risky and may even lead to more significant problems than you started with. Therefore, it is often best to rely on tested and proven treatments, like professional teeth whitening.
La Jolla Cosmetic Dentistry and Orthodontics offers multiple teeth whitening options for both in-office and at-home use. And since it came from your dentist, you can feel assured that you will not do any harm to your smile.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
Dr. Kohani offers Iveri™, Opalescence® Boost, and KöR in-office teeth whitening. These treatments can whiten teeth up to eight shades quickly and painlessly.
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- Iveri™ uses a mixture of hydrogen and carbamide peroxide with blue or red LED light to whiten teeth in one treatment.
- Opalescence® Boost uses hydrogen peroxide to whiten teeth and fluoride and potassium nitrate to strengthen enamel.
- KöR uses Hydramide® Peroxide gel to brighten your teeth.
At-Home Whitening Options
For patients who are not interested in in-office whitening or those who wish to supplement their in-office treatments, at-home teeth whitening programs are available.
Both KöR and Opalescence® Boost whitening trays can be tailored for at-home use. These systems keep your smile bright and healthy even in-between dental treatments.
Interested in Learning More About Professional Teeth Whitening?
We encourage you to contact us at 858-295-0603 or fill our online form to schedule a consultation with Dr. Kohani and his team for the best recommendations to a whiter, brighter, and healthier smile.
