The Basics
I'm sure no one here needs me to explain the importance of brushing your teeth twice a day, but I will make one recommendation, and that is to always use a whitening toothpaste. I've done this for as long as I can remember and I really think it has paid off over the years. I always look for a toothpaste that lists all the important oral health benefits (protection against cavities, plaque, etc) but with whitening as an additional feature - that way I know I'm not sacrificing anything important for the sake of whiter teeth. One I keep going back to is Colgate Total Whitening Toothpaste, but currently I'm using both the Janina Ultra White Extra Strength Toothpaste* and Janina Ultra White Teeth Whitening Foam*. What's great about both these products is that they're clinically proven to produce excellent whitening results without using harsh abrasives, which can be damaging to tooth enamel, using instead a Bromaine Complex formulated from fruit enzymes. It just gives you that little extra peace of mind - you're maintaining the whiteness of your smile, but safely.
My other basic recommendations are to use an electric toothbrush - much more efficient at cleaning your teeth than the manual variety - and not to skimp on flossing and rinsing with mouthwash. Speaking of mouthwash, you can add in some sneaky whitening action here too - my favourite is Ultradex.
My other basic recommendations are to use an electric toothbrush - much more efficient at cleaning your teeth than the manual variety - and not to skimp on flossing and rinsing with mouthwash. Speaking of mouthwash, you can add in some sneaky whitening action here too - my favourite is Ultradex.
Food And Drink
We all know that too much black coffee or red wine can stain your teeth. I'm quite lucky in that I like my hot drinks really milky, so any staining is kept to a minimum. I do enjoy the odd bottle glass of red wine, but my best piece of advice here is "everything in moderation". Actually, that's quite good advice when it comes to red wine in general, not just because it might stain your teeth! Even food that is considered healthy, like salad dressings and fruit juices, can be damaging to tooth enamel, something I wrote about in greater detail in this post. My personal belief is that if you worry too much about these things, you will end up eating nothing at all, which obviously isn't good either. So, unless of course you are following a particular diet, my advice is as before - everything in moderation. Eat the delicious salad with the lovely dressing (preferably with steak and chips on the side) and have a black coffee afterwards, if that's what you like. Just don't have two or three black coffees afterwards. You get the idea.
Whitening Strips And Other Treatments
Sometimes I like to give my teeth a little whitening boost, and my tried and tested way to do this is with whitening strips. I love the Boots Expert Dissolvable Strips. They're easy to use - simply stick them to your teeth and they dissolve within ten minutes. They're also great value for money and they really do work. There's enough in the pack to use them twice a day for two weeks if you want to give your teeth a full whitening course, but I tend to just use them for a few days before a big event or whenever I feel like I could use a little something extra, as I can see a difference after just a few uses. I know that some whitening strips can cause sensitivity, but I've never experienced that with these.
Every time I head to the dental care aisle in Boots, I'm amazed by how many whitening options there are. From instant pens that you brush on to gel and tray treatments to new age "blue light" systems, it's all readily available and considerably more affordable than having whitening treatment at the dentist. For the moment, I don't feel the need to branch out from my trusty strips, but it's good to know that there are so many alternatives should I decide to give them a go in the future.
Every time I head to the dental care aisle in Boots, I'm amazed by how many whitening options there are. From instant pens that you brush on to gel and tray treatments to new age "blue light" systems, it's all readily available and considerably more affordable than having whitening treatment at the dentist. For the moment, I don't feel the need to branch out from my trusty strips, but it's good to know that there are so many alternatives should I decide to give them a go in the future.
Makeup Fixes Everything
If all else fails, it's amazing how wearing the right shade of lipstick can give the illusion of whiter teeth. As much as I love oranges and brown-toned nudes, they're not your friend when it comes to brightening up your smile. Instead, you should opt for cool-toned shades and anything with a blue base - Mac's Ruby Woo is a good example of a blue-based red. Berry colours are also great, as they tend to have strong purple or blue undertones. I'm wearing Rimmel The Only 1 Lipstick in Under My Spell here, which is the best example I have in my current collection. I think it really does make my teeth look whiter! Apparently, a slightly glossy finish also helps, as opposed to matte.
What are your top tips for whitening teeth without breaking the bank?
What are your top tips for whitening teeth without breaking the bank?
Kate x
*Gifted Product. All opinions, as always, are my own.
37 comments
Like most people, I like my teeth to look white. When I'm shopping for toothpaste, I nearly always go for one that promises to whiten, as well as protect against cavities, gum disease and all those other horrible things. And, from time to time, I'll use whitening strips to give my smile a bit of a boost, especially if I feel that my teeth might be looking a little bit stained from drinking too much tea or coffee. Generally speaking, this serves me pretty well, and I've never yet felt the need for professional whitening treatments.
However, did you know that if your teeth are looking a bit yellow, it might not be because of staining at all, but because the outer layer of white enamel is actually wearing away, exposing the yellow dentine underneath? I didn't, and I must confess, it's a scary thought.
I was sent the Pronamel toothpaste, toothbrush and mouthwash, and I've been using them for a few weeks now.
The mouthwash* finishes off your cleaning routine and gives you an extra hit of protection against both acid wear and tooth decay. It tastes like spearmint to me, even though it simply says fresh mint on the bottle. Either way, it's a pleasant flavour and doesn't burn your mouth too much, which is good because you're not supposed to rinse with water afterwards!
I've enjoyed using all three products and will definitely use the toothpaste and mouthwash again. Although I don't have a problem with acid wear right now, I think it's something that could easily develop over time, especially when there are acids in so many everyday - and perfectly healthy - foods, and after all, prevention is better than cure. My mouth feels fresh and clean after using Pronamel, and although this range doesn't place its main emphasis on whitening, my teeth are just as white as when I use brands that do. I would definitely recommend Sensodyne Pronamel to anyone, and especially those who consume a lot of acidic foods such as fruit, fruit juices and salad dressings.
Has anyone else tried this range?
Kate x
*Item sent to me for review. All opinions, as always, are my own.
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