Now that the weather has finally warmed up, you might be paying more attention to your appearance, including your teeth. If you’ve ever wondered if the sun can work as a natural teeth whitener, we can set the record straight.
Can the Sun Whiten Your Teeth?
No, the sun is incapable of whitening your teeth. Even though the sun can lighten hair, the sun doesn’t lighten your teeth (unless you are constantly walking around with a massive smile). However, many people seem to notice a difference in the whiteness of their teeth during the summer months. Why would that be?
The reason is simple: while the sun doesn’t whiten teeth, it does darken the skin. If you’ve spent a lot of time in the sun and maybe haven’t been using enough sunscreen, the contrast may make your teeth seem brighter and whiter.
An important note: Sunshine provides your body with many benefits, including Vitamin D and stress reduction. But too much exposure, especially to the sun, including ultraviolet (UV) light, can prove harmful. As you soak up the sun this summer, slather on plenty of sunscreen to protect your skin.
Do UV Lights Whiten Your Teeth?
We know what you’re thinking: if the sun doesn’t whiten your teeth, how do UV lights do it? The answer is simple: they don’t.
Teeth whitening often involves a peroxide-based substance. Once this solution is applied, UV lights – or whitening lights – activate the hydrogen peroxide on the teeth, accelerating the whitening process!
Of course, working with UV whitening lights requires extreme caution. The best option is to work with an experienced dentist who can handle teeth whitening safely.
How We Brighten Your Smile
If you’re looking to invest in your smile, Dakota Dental has a range of professional solutions for just about any budget and comfort level.
We prove four unique dental teeth whitening options for patients that have been proven safe and highly effective for a range of teeth. Fun fact: we have used all of these options ourselves!
Here are four ways to whiten your teeth with the help of Dakota Dental:
- Take-Home 8-hour Wear Gel Trays
- Take-Home 15-minute Gel Trays
- Whitening Strips. We apply these band-aid-like strips straight to the teeth.
- In-Office Light Active Gel, followed by use of take-home gel in trays. Teeth whitening with light is incredibly effective. We follow this up with take-home gel in trays you can use to maintain your beautiful smile.
Read why professional whitening is more effective than OTC whitening options.
How to Maintain White Teeth
Once you’ve put effort into whitening them, you want the results to last. Here are a few of our recommendations to keep your pearly whites looking bright:
- Limit your coffee and tea intake (or use a straw to limit stains).
- Avoid darker sauces (soy sauce, red sauce, etc.)
- Rinse your mouth after eating to get rid of food particles.
- Quit smoking.
- Floss daily. (Yes, this means every single day!)
- Brush your teeth twice a day, two minutes each time.
- Visit your dentist every six months (unless they recommend it more often.)
Remember, the better you take care of your teeth, the better they’ll care for you!
A Smile as Bright as the Summer Sun
Are you feeling inspired to showcase a new, 1,000-watt smile? We believe that the right cosmetic dentistry can lead to greater confidence in your smile and in yourself! Learn more about our trusted dental teeth whitening procedures and reach out with any questions you may have.
To begin, contact family dentists at Dakota Dental today for a consultation. We can discuss your options with you, helping you whiten stained teeth safely and effectively. Our team cannot wait to help you and your teeth shine all summer long.