Teeth whitening has been around since ancient times. Throughout history, people have used everything from baking soda to lemon juice to achieve a whiter grin. In fact, there are even some records that suggest that Cleopatra had her teeth bleached!
Why Whiten Your Teeth?
Teeth whitening is a great way to improve your smile and boost your confidence. Staining, yellowing and dark spots can all be improved with a professional whitening treatment.
But why do people choose to get their teeth whitened? Well, for starters, it makes them look younger. Even more importantly, whiter teeth help many people feel better about themselves. It’s common knowledge that when someone smiles at you, the first thing you notice is their teeth. Having a clean, sparkling smile with professionally whitened teeth helps ensure that everyone sees the best version of your smile.
A Brief History of Teeth Whitening
Seeking treatments to achieve a whiter smile has been a fairly common practice for centuries.
The earliest known records of teeth whitening come from Egypt. Ancient Egyptians used charcoal powder mixed with oil to lighten their teeth. They believed that this helped prevent cavities and gum disease.
In China, people used rice wine to whiten their teeth. This practice continued throughout the Middle Ages and up until the 19th century. One beauty guide mentioned the use of lemon juice mixed with salt and rice powder applied to the teeth twice daily.
In the Middle Ages, people began to use hydrogen peroxide to lighten their teeth. This was because hydrogen peroxide kills bacteria and helps clean teeth naturally. By the late 1800s, teeth whiteners became commercially available. These early versions were mostly just abrasives mixed into mouthwashes. They weren’t very effective, though.
The modern age of teeth whitening came in the 1960s. At that time, toothpastes began incorporating fluoride, which helped strengthen teeth. Also, researchers found that certain dyes could help increase the effectiveness of whitening treatments.
Today, many different types of whitening solutions exist. Some are over-the-counter options, while others require professional dental procedures. Whatever type of treatment you decide on, make sure you do your research and find the best product for you.
Are Homemade Whitening Treatments Safe?
While homemade teeth-whitening recipes such as brushing with baking soda, peroxide or charcoal may seem harmless enough, they can actually cause damage to your teeth if not done properly. Before using any homemade recipe, always consult with your dentist or doctor. If you don’t want to risk damaging your smile, we recommend that you stick with professionally made products.
KöR Professional Teeth Whitening
We are proud to offer the highest-quality tooth-whitening treatment available, KöR teeth whitening.
The KöR whitening system provides an effective tooth-whitening solution that delivers impressive results for your teeth and self-esteem that far outlast whitening products you can buy over the counter!
The KöR whitening system works by using refrigerated gels to “whitewash” your teeth. Refrigeration means the gel can contain stronger whitening agents than if they were stored at room temperature. Stronger whiteners means better results for you.
KöR’s unique tray design protects the whitener from destructive salivary enzymes, so you get the active whitener in contact with your enamel for a longer period.
KöR whitening gels also don’t use light therapy, which, according to Healthline.com, might cause increased tooth sensitivity in the treated area.
Finally, KöR whitening works by combining both at-home and in-office procedures to give you the best results possible.
Do you have discolored teeth? We can help. Call us today to talk about tooth whitening and our other cosmetic dentistry services.