Your big day is just around the corner and you’ve got the whiter than white dress but then, with sudden panic, you realise you’ve forgotten about ensuring your teeth match your wedding day ensemble.
It’s tempting to reach for a quick fix. To pay the big bucks for instant bleaching or purchase over the counter whitening strips but proceed with caution. You could be doing more damage than good. In a bid to ensure you can achieve a healthy, white we consulted with dentist and founder of WhiteWash Laboratories Matthew Lloyd to get the low down on the need to know tips when it comes to oral care in the run up to wedding:
Hi Matthew. Cutting to the chase, do whitening toothpastes really work? Whitening toothpastes work by removing and preventing the build-up of surface stains. This helps to restore teeth back to their natural whiteness, so in short – yes! Whitening toothpaste will help you achieve a half, to a whole shade whiter teeth. However depending on the results you want, you may want to consider other options too.
What about oil pilling? I think brands need to be clearer about their actual function. Oil pulling has been around for centuries as a way of reducing the harmful bacteria in your mouth but it won’t physically whiten your teeth.
Does the same apply to whitening strips? Non-peroxide whitening strips (those bought without a prescription) would be more accurately described as stain removal strips. Over the counter products usually contain mild acids which help to remove stains. These acids can actually erode tooth enamel, so I would advise buying quality, dental strength strips through your dentist.
If we were to use whitening toothpaste, when should we expect to see results,? Results are dependent on the individual but generally you should start to see results in two weeks. I would advise making the switch a few months before your wedding day to ensure you achieve a healthy smile in plenty of time.
What should we avoid when looking for a whitening toothpaste?
Look for products which are alcohol free. Alcohol is the main ingredient in a lot of products on the market because of its high ability to kill bad bacteria but it also kills good bacteria in the mouth so isn’t the healthiest option.
Check out at WhiteWash Laboratories range whitening toothpastes (developed by UK dentists) available to shop online now.
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