Fact: White teeth make you look younger, healthier, more attractive, and more employable. Yes, really, employable, according to a recent survey conducted by Oral-B. (They're a little biased, sure, but would you hire someone with Pennsatucky's teeth?)
Still, it's hard to turn down that morning cup of coffee or evening glass of red wine in the name of whiter teeth. (I've considered the straw technique, but excessive straw use gives you lip wrinkles. It's a no-win situation.)
Instead of avoiding the vices we love, we turn to teeth whiteners. Good news for all the coffee and wine enthusiasts out there: it's been a very good year for new advances in teeth-whitening products. So much so, in fact, even dentists say you can skip the pricey in-office whitening. "If the at-home regimen is working, there is no need to do the in-office," says Dr. Michael Apa, DDS, Partner of The Rosenthal Apa Group in New York City. "The in-office is more used as a boost prior to over-the-counter, at-home whitening treatments." And that's not the only good news: Dr. Apa says that while these treatments may cause temporary sensitivity, they won't damage your teeth.
Check out eight brand-new, seriously effective treatments for making your teeth look brighter, whiter … like you've never had a sip of coffee or red wine.
Still, it's hard to turn down that morning cup of coffee or evening glass of red wine in the name of whiter teeth. (I've considered the straw technique, but excessive straw use gives you lip wrinkles. It's a no-win situation.)
Instead of avoiding the vices we love, we turn to teeth whiteners. Good news for all the coffee and wine enthusiasts out there: it's been a very good year for new advances in teeth-whitening products. So much so, in fact, even dentists say you can skip the pricey in-office whitening. "If the at-home regimen is working, there is no need to do the in-office," says Dr. Michael Apa, DDS, Partner of The Rosenthal Apa Group in New York City. "The in-office is more used as a boost prior to over-the-counter, at-home whitening treatments." And that's not the only good news: Dr. Apa says that while these treatments may cause temporary sensitivity, they won't damage your teeth.
Check out eight brand-new, seriously effective treatments for making your teeth look brighter, whiter … like you've never had a sip of coffee or red wine.
Your Ideal Match: Whitening Toothpaste
Most days, we've got a to-do list that never ends. So sitting down for 30 minutes to an hour to whiten our teeth is not an option. That's why we rely on the one product we use every day anyways -- toothpaste. If your schedule (or lack of will) prevents you from taking the time to make your smile brighter, whitening toothpaste is a sneaky way to achieve a dazzling smile.
Whitening toothpaste makes teeth appear whiter by removing surface stains, especially for those who smoke or drink coffee on the regular. One important thing to note, though: Whitening toothpaste doesn't actually bleach your chompers. So if you have severely discolored teeth (think: gray) a whitening toothpaste is not going to do much. However, if you've got a slight yellow tint -- whitening toothpaste will scrub it out.
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Most days, we've got a to-do list that never ends. So sitting down for 30 minutes to an hour to whiten our teeth is not an option. That's why we rely on the one product we use every day anyways -- toothpaste. If your schedule (or lack of will) prevents you from taking the time to make your smile brighter, whitening toothpaste is a sneaky way to achieve a dazzling smile.
Whitening toothpaste makes teeth appear whiter by removing surface stains, especially for those who smoke or drink coffee on the regular. One important thing to note, though: Whitening toothpaste doesn't actually bleach your chompers. So if you have severely discolored teeth (think: gray) a whitening toothpaste is not going to do much. However, if you've got a slight yellow tint -- whitening toothpaste will scrub it out.
Try...
If your teeth tend to be a bit more sensitive, you're in luck. The zesty-flavored whitening toothpaste isn't harsh on gums or teeth, and safely whitens teeth with hydrogen peroxide.
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While you're scrubbing your way to a whiter smile, this teeth whitening toothpaste also restores enamel and fights cavities -- without breaking the bank.
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Your Ideal Match: Electric Toothbrush
Besides being way more fun to use, electric toothbrushes can clean teeth more effectively than manual toothbrushes, which means their teeth whitening effects are much more apparent, explains cosmetic dentist Marc Lowenberg of Lowenberg, Lituchy & Kantor. "Electric toothbrushes don't actually whiten teeth, but they are "excellent" for removing surface stains, which makes teeth appear whiter," Lowenberg says.
If you have poor manual dexterity (aka aren't the best brusher), an electric toothbrush is your new best friend. Its ability to produce fast vibrations is a no-fail guarantee for cleaner and whiter teeth, and it effectively removes built up plaque, stains and gunk without you having to do much work. This is a perfect teeth-whitening solution for someone looking for a fuss-free option as well as a deep clean.
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Besides being way more fun to use, electric toothbrushes can clean teeth more effectively than manual toothbrushes, which means their teeth whitening effects are much more apparent, explains cosmetic dentist Marc Lowenberg of Lowenberg, Lituchy & Kantor. "Electric toothbrushes don't actually whiten teeth, but they are "excellent" for removing surface stains, which makes teeth appear whiter," Lowenberg says.
If you have poor manual dexterity (aka aren't the best brusher), an electric toothbrush is your new best friend. Its ability to produce fast vibrations is a no-fail guarantee for cleaner and whiter teeth, and it effectively removes built up plaque, stains and gunk without you having to do much work. This is a perfect teeth-whitening solution for someone looking for a fuss-free option as well as a deep clean.
Try...