The reality is no one has perfect teeth, but social media makes us feel like we should.
Lots of you asked about teeth whitening, like how to do it, where to go for it and does it work.
So here are the facts:
- tooth whitening uses bleach to lighten the tooth colour
- it should only be carried out by a registered dental care professional such as a dentist or dental therapist
- it's illegal for anybody else to carry this treatment out, such as a beauty therapist
- it's illegal for under 18s to have tooth whitening
- it's a cosmetic treatment so generally is only done privately and is not paid for by the NHS
Home whitening kits are not strong enough to be very good. The mouth trays also may not fit properly, risking the bleaching gel harming your gums and mouth.
These kits are not always checked for safety and can be very acidic. This can damage your teeth and gums.
Whitening toothpastes may help remove staining which can improve the overall appearance of your teeth.
However, they do not change the natural colour of the teeth so will not whiten them.
Natural whitening methods such as baking soda and lemon juice are also shown online and on social media.
These are not recommended. Baking soda is abrasive which can weaken the enamel and make teeth more sensitive.
Lemon juice is very acidic and can cause acid erosion.
The best way to avoid staining is to floss and brush daily with regular fluoride toothpaste.