That “1000 Watt” Smile: How People are Embracing Teeth Whitening

Some say a smile is the best accessory one can wear. Looks like more and more people believe in this adage seeing that cosmetic dentistry is fast growing to be the most sought after cosmetic procedure. Attention is being given especially to teeth whitening, with a range of products (both over and off the counter) and procedures becoming easily accessible.

Aesthetic teeth whitening treatments are particularly popular among the youth since brighter teeth goes a long way in improving their appeal, especially their online presence. According to a research study published in 2017, tooth whitening was found to be the most desired treatment by the participants. They said that whiter teeth improves their confidence and self esteem and that they earmark a certain amount of money each year for such procedures and products. Hence, it comes as no surprise that we see whiter teeth being vociferously marketed by brands aplenty.

Let’s take a look at some of the most favored teeth whitening products/procedures:

Gels and strips: These are easily available over the counter and are quite a popular means of teeth whitening. They work based on a chemical reaction that works through the enamel and removing stained surface. The chemicals involved are usually Hydrogen Peroxide and Carbamide Peroxide. The gels can also be applied using teeth trays.

Whitening toothpastes: With toothpastes, the results might not be as quick as gels/strips and involve the toothpaste being a part of your daily oral hygiene routine. Whitening toothpastes usually take a few weeks to work. As a result, toothpastes are milder than gels or strips. Ingredients such as silica are used in the toothpaste, resulting in extra abrasion every time you use your toothbrush.

Home remedies: These methods are favored by those who do not wish to expose their pearly whites to harsh chemicals. Home remedies’s efficacy is definitely questionable, but since they don’t tend to have any adverse side effects, people are willing to give these a shot. A few home remedies include certain fruit pulp and peels, specific oils, activated charcoal and bicarbonate of soda.

Light based treatments: Using lights to whiten your teeth is a relatively new trend and one that has become widely available as a service with dentists and as home kits as well. Lights such as LED lights and UV lights are employed. Lights are used in combination with a gel to speed up the whitening process by activating the chemicals in the gel through heat.

It’s safe to say that that “1000 Watt” smile is now not a distant dream but a very real possibility. With ready access to the the means to achieve brighter teeth and reducing costs of products and procedures, more and more people are adopting teeth whitening as a routine procedure. Add to that the importance of social media presence and you have a market space that shines bright. Are teeth stains a nuisance of the past? Only time will tell!