If you feel like your teeth are looking dull or yellow, your confidence can take a nosedive. Luckily, there are plenty of whitening treatments that come to the rescue. We consulted a pro to learn all about achieving a million-dollar smile.

The natural colour of teeth can vary, but if yours aren’t as white as you like, you’re not alone.

Several factors affect the whiteness of your teeth, including genetics, the thickness of the tooth enamel, your lifestyle habits, tartar accumulation, and certain medications. You only have to flash a smile in the mirror after eating or drinking to see that many of the foods and drinks you consume stain the surface of your teeth, but some substances, like tobacco and red wine, can cause stronger stains in the long term.

To keep stains at bay and your teeth dazzling, whitening is an easy and effective option. Whether you opt for over-the-counter products or head to your dentist’s chair, these treatments are generally safe, but not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding or for children under 12.

Depending on the strength and type of treatment you choose, whitening can also cause slight tooth sensitivity or irritation. But rest assured, these side effects are temporary and typically disappear one to three days after treatment. It’s important to remember that whitening only works on the enamel of natural, healthy teeth. That means these treatments aren’t made to whiten veneers, composite fillings, crowns or bridges.

When it comes to whitening treatments, “everyone has different teeth with different whitening potentials,” says dentist Dr. Christine Bovo. Because of this, it can be difficult to predict each person’s final results, or even how long those results will last.

How to care for teeth post-whitening

You’ve just completed your whitening treatment—can you start sipping your coffee now? Not so fast! “The time for a tooth to recreate a stain barrier after whitening, called remineralization, is equal to the duration of the treatment,” says Dr. Bovo. “For example, if you’ve worn whitening trays for two weeks, pay particular attention to everything you consume for two additional weeks, because the penetration of stains is greater when the teeth are demineralized.” Food pigments are more likely to stain the teeth at this time. Regardless of the type of whitening treatment you choose, it’s always a good idea to get a scaling and polishing done at your dentist to ensure you get the most optimal results.

How to choose the right teeth whitening treatment for you

Chair whitening performed by a dentist

Chair whitening is done at the dentist’s office with a gel that has a high con- centration of actives, particularly hydrogen peroxide. Before applying the gel, the dentist protects the gums and soft tissues of the mouth; depend- ing on the treatment, the gel can be activated by blue light. This process usually takes about two hours, but the results are immediate. The pros recom- mend you do applications with whiten- ing trays for about two weeks at home following chair whitening for the best results. As with any whitening process, you’ll need to allow for another two weeks of remineralization time to mitigate staining.

One of the benefits of in-office whitening is the personalization it offers. As teeth aren’t always all the same colour, the dentist can choose where and how much product to apply on every tooth for better harmonization of colour, says Dr. Bovo.

Home whitening with a kit from the dentist

There’s also the option to whiten at home with a kit from the dentist. The same active ingredients available in-office are used, just in a much weaker concentration. Your dentist will take a precise impression of your teeth to create molds or trays to take home. Whitening gel is added to these trays to wear during the day or overnight. Depending on the kit chosen, the treatment period is generally two weeks, with applications once or twice a day.

Home whitening treatments sold in pharmacies

Treatments that can be purchased at the pharmacy have the benefit of being easy to use and easy on the pocketbook. These types of products are best for those who are looking for the small boost of whiteness that comes with lightening a shade or two. Because applicators or strips sold in stores don’t mold perfectly to the teeth, the whitening effect can appear more uneven than professional treatments.

How to stop from staining your teeth

Certain food and beverages are more likely than others to stain our teeth. A good rule of thumb is if it stains your fingers or clothing, there's a good chance it will also stain your teeth! Here are some examples:

• Dark-coloured fruits and vegetables like berries and beets
• Tea and coffee
• Red wine and dark beers
• Dark-coloured sauces and condiments like tomato or soy sauce
• Colourful spices and blends like curry, turmeric, chili powder, and powdered cheese
• Food and drinks with colourants like sports drinks or candy

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