No matter how devoted you are when it comes to caring for your teeth, dental discoloration occurs naturally to absolutely everyone. While you can certainly reduce the level of discolouration you experience through avoiding certain foods, drinks, and lifestyle choices (smoking, black coffee, and red wine - we're looking at you), it's pretty much impossible to avoid it altogether. For those who want to remove stains and reverse discolouration, teeth whitening products are an effective option that you might want to explore. In this article, we answer some common questions about teeth whitening, and take you through the best teeth whitening products on Mankind.
How does Teeth Whitening Work?
Traditional methods of whitening teeth usually involve some level of bleaching, using either Carbamide Peroxide or Hydrogen Peroxide. Both of these function in a similar way. Your teeth's enamel is porous, and over time, absorbs staining agents from food and drinks. Peroxide-based whitening products cause a chemical reaction that breaks up these staining agents, leaving your teeth visibly much whiter. This method is used by dentists, but is also achievable with effective and affordable at home kits.
Often, light therapy is used at the same time as a whitening agent to make the process speedier and more efficient. Blue LED lights act as a catalyst for the oxidation reaction that allows Peroxide products to work, meaning greater results are achieved in a shorter amount of time.
There are downsides to traditional methods, which we'll cover in a little more detail below, so for those who have concerns, alternative methods have been created. There are many teeth whitening products that contain charcoal or other absorbent ingredients rather than acids. Working by absorbing staining agents before cleansing them away, charcoal toothpastes are a great solution for those concerned with sensitivity.
Is Teeth Whitening Safe?
All teeth whitening products sold Mankind are safe to use, but it's sensible to educate yourself about the risks. Peroxide products, while not harmful to your health when used as recommended, can cause your teeth to become sensitive. If you experience sensitivity already, shop around for a product with a low concentration of Peroxide or use your teeth whitening products sparingly.
At-home therapy using blue LED lights is also perfectly safe, invented as an alternative to UV light therapy. Some practitioners use UV lights to speed up the whitening process, however there are concerns that this could be harmful, which is why none of the light therapy products stocked by Mankind use UV.
Best Teeth Whitening Products
Read more of our dental care related blogs. Check out the perfect solution to sensitive teeth, our guide to teeth whitening at home, and the Regenerate Advanced Mouthwash. As always, for more male grooming expertise, keep up to speed with the Mankind blog.
