The Right and Wrong Way To Whiten Your Teeth
So you’re looking to put more “white” in those pearly whites? It can be a tough challenge. You’ve got to sort through a million different products and ways to do it. Plus, what the hell are some of these ingredients and chemicals? Don’t worry Squatch Nation, we’ve got you covered. We’re running down the best (and worst!) ways to keep your teeth looking their best and how to avoid those harsh products that can do more harm than good.
Is Teeth Whitening Dangerous?
Our day-to-day lives of drinking coffee and eating certain foods, plus their natural aging process, can take its toll on the whiteness and color of our teeth. These days there’s a huge range of different at-home teeth whitening products lining the shelves of your local drug store or megamart. Sure, we all want to have whiter teeth, but many of these well-known products and methods utilize harsh chemicals and can lead to permanent tooth and gum damage. A few examples of the possible side effects when whitening your teeth using certain products or in improper ways can include: tooth sensitivity, etching of teeth, gum irritation, increased risk of tooth damage, and loss of protective enamel. Not good.
The Wrong Way To Whiten Your Teeth
The most popular forms of at-home teeth whitening are: whitening strips, gels with teeth cups, and whitening toothpaste. While these treatments can be effective, they get their results by using harsh chemicals and detergents. The most common harsh chemicals used in at-home whitening products are peroxides, which can damage the tooth’s enamel and increase tooth sensitivity. Yup, you’re essentially bleaching your teeth in order to whiten them. While the results can vary and different products use different combinations and concentrations of chemicals, you’re ultimately using the same sort of chemicals on your teeth that you use to clean that bathroom you’re brushing in. Additionally, these types of teeth whiteners aren’t one-and-done types of treatments. You’ve got to continually use them which can create a compounding effect over time. But it’s not just the whitening agents that are bad. In addition to harsh whiteners like hydrogen peroxide, many whitening toothpastes are also packed with harsh surfactants like Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, which can lead to irritation and sensitivity (check this out for more), harsh abrasives, artificial colors, and flavors.
The Right Way To Whiten Your Teeth
Don’t worry, there’s good news! Luckily, there are toothpaste options out there that use naturally-derived ingredients that are just as effective as some of those questionable synthetic ingredients and harsh whiteners used in generic brands. One natural whitening MVP is hydroxyapatite, a naturally-occurring, calcium-based mineral composed of calcium and phosphate. While it may sound like a scary chemical, it’s actually a natural mineral that makes up the majority of our tooth enamel. Hydroxyapatite helps to whiten teeth by remineralizing tooth enamel and supporting enamel health, while also helping to prevent the accumulation of plaque and fighting tooth sensitivity. Natural toothpaste, like ours at Dr. Squatch, also use ingredients like natural clay, calcium carbonate, and hydrated silica to gently whiten teeth and fight statins day and night. In addition to the powerful natural protection and whitening capabilities, you can feel good about the flavorings too. Our natural toothpaste uses essential oils and naturally-derived ingredients for fresh, energizing flavors without all the synthetic additives.
Your hard-working chompers deserve proper care and protection from the rigors of manly life, but that doesn’t mean you need to resort to drug store products that are packed with brutal chemicals to whiten them properly. The whitening power and protection in natural toothpaste are the perfect alternative and will keep that smile looking fine for years to come.
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