Would you like to have a whiter, brighter
smile? If so, you're not alone.
Over 40 million
people in the United
States whiten their teeth each year.
In order to get your best and brightest smile,
it's important to choose the right whitening shade.
If your teeth are too white, they might look a
little unnatural. Not white enough, and you won't notice the difference or reap
the benefits of whiter teeth.
Not sure how to choose the best teeth
whitening shade for you? Keep reading.
Listed below are some great tips that will
help you make the perfect choice.
Benefits of Professional
Teeth Whitening
If you want whiter teeth, can't you just use
one of those whitening kits from the grocery store?
Technically, yes, you can. But, those kits are
often not very effective.
When you use them, you also have very little
control over the shade of white your teeth become. There's a greater risk that
something could go wrong and you could react badly to the ingredients in the
whitening solution, too.
Why take all those risks when you could have
your teeth professionally
whitened
by a trained dentist?
When you have your teeth professionally
whitened, you get to choose the specific shade of white for your teeth. You
also are less likely to have a bad reaction to the whitening solution.
And, your teeth are likely to stay whiter for
a longer period of time since your dentist has access to the highest quality
whitening products.
Choosing the Right Teeth
Whitening Shade
If you're having a hard time choosing the
right whitening shade for your teeth, these guidelines can help.
Keep them in mind and it'll be easier for you
to identify your current shade and choose one that improves your smile while
still looking natural.
Tooth Shade Ranges
Contrary to popular belief, teeth aren't just
white or not white. They can actually be quite a few different colors.
Tooth color can typically be divided into four
different shade ranges
:
●Shade A, a reddish brown
●Shade B, a reddish yellow
●Shade C, a gray color
●Shade D, a reddish-gray color
There are varying levels of lightness and
darkness within each of these shade ranges. Take a look at your teeth and
figure out which shade range they currently fall into. Then, figure out how
much lighter you'd like to go within your shade range.
If you stick within your shade range but
choose a lighter shade, you'll be able to brighten up your smile while still
helping it to look natural.
If you're having a hard time identifying your
current shade range, talk to your dentist. He or she will be able to guide you
and help you choose the ideal shade for your teeth.
Factors to Consider
When it comes to choosing the specific shade
of white for your teeth, there are lots of factors to take into account. Some
specific factors to consider include:
●Existing stains on your teeth: If
you have stains that are darkly colored or gray, they're usually hard to remove
and may stick out after your teeth have been whitened.
●Crowns and fillings: Your crowns
and fillings can't be lightened; if they're in a noticeable place, it's best to
choose a shade of white that blends in with them.
●The whites of your eyes: A good
rule of thumb is to avoid choosing a shade that is whiter than the white part
of your eyes.
These are not hard and fast rules, of course.
But, they're good guidelines to help you start finding the right shade of
white.
How White Should You Go?
With all this information in mind, how white
should your teeth be?
Consider how dramatic you want the change in
the shade of your teeth to be.
Most teeth whitening procedures can make your
teeth anywhere from two to seven or eight shades lighter.
In many cases, a change of just two or three
shades can make a big difference to the brightness and appearance of your
smile. If you prefer a subtle look, limit yourself to making your teeth two or
three shades whiter.
Remember, too, that you can always go back for
additional whitening treatments if you are not satisfied with the whiteness of
your teeth.
It's easier to make your teeth whiter later on
than it is to take the whiteness away. If you feel your teeth are too white,
though, you'll just have to wait for them to fade.
How to Keep Your Teeth White
as Long as Possible
Once you've chosen the best shade of white and
paid to have your teeth professionally whitened, you'll probably want to do
whatever you can to keep your teeth white for as long as possible.
These tips can help you maintain whichever
shade of white you choose:
●Brush your teeth regularly (an
electric toothbrush can be better at removing stains)
●Floss your teeth regularly
●Limit your consumption of foods
and drinks that stain teeth (ketchup, marinara sauce, berries, red wine,
coffee, etc.)
●Increase your consumption of foods
that strengthen and clean the teeth (milk, hard cheeses, carrots, celery,
apples, yogurt, etc.)
●Drink coffee or tea through a
straw to minimize discoloration
When you have your teeth professionally
whitened, you'll notice that your results last much longer than when you whiten
them at home. But, you'll still need to get touch-ups on occasion.
If you want to keep your teeth looking fresh
and bright, be sure to keep up with your touchup appointments.
Stick to the schedule that your dentist
recommends for the best long-term results.
Get Your Teeth Whitened Today
As you can see, there are a lot of factors
that go into choosing the ideal shade of white for your teeth.
Now that you know how to choose the best teeth
whitening shade for you, it's time to schedule an appointment to get your teeth
whitened!
At Sparkle Dental, we offer professional teeth
whitening services that will leave your teeth noticeably whiter and brighter
after just one session.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment
or to learn
more about our teeth whitening services.
