Here are some tips from our Surrey dentists on how to tell if teeth whitening might be right for you.
The degree of whiteness that is most attractive is highly subjective. However, there are a few ways you can go about deciding if you’d benefit from teeth whitening. In the end it's important to remember that the only person whose opinion on the subject matters is you.
Here are a few points to consider to help you decide:
Are you smiling confidently at people, or in pictures?
When you feel that your teeth look dingy or discoloured, you often find yourself trying to hide them, or not smiling as openly as you’d really like to.
Teeth whitening could help you feel a little more confident about your smile if that sounds like you.
Look yourself in the eye: how well do your teeth measure up?
Comparing the shade of the whites of your eyes to the colour of your teeth is an easy way to determine how white your teeth should be. If your teeth are a similar shade of white to the whites of your eyes, then you probably don’t want to make them any whiter. Overly white teeth can to look artificial.
On the other hand, if you find that your teeth are significantly darker, whitening may be a good choice for you.
Have you undergone dental restorations or orthodontic treatment?
The shade of your natural teeth should match that of your dental restorations as closely as possible, in order to achieve an even smile. If you have undergone dental restorations, or if you plan to, teeth whitening may be a good way to match your natural teeth to the colour of your restorations.
If you have had braces in the past, you may find that the spots where the brackets were attached to your teeth are somewhat lighter than the rest of the teeth. These light spots can make your teeth appear uneven or patchy. Teeth whitening can help to significantly reduce this effect.
What does your dentist think?
Be sure to ask your dentist for their opinion about whether teeth whitening would be beneficial for you. Your dentist can help you decide with the help of a colour chart, and provide you with all the details you need to make the right decision for you.