Teeth whitening is one of those dental treatments that continues to grow in popularity. Fuelled by the ever present glow of celebrities whiter than white smiles and with a great array of in chair and at home teeth whitening treatments to choose from, there has never been a better time to brighten up your smile. Of course, these treatments come at a cost, so to weigh up whether it is worth it or not, you need to think about the advantages. Here are 5 benefits of teeth whitening that you might not have considered. 

A healthier mouth 

Whilst teeth whitening is generally an aesthetic treatment, it can also improve your overall oral health. By visiting your dentist to discuss your options for at home or in chair teeth whitening, your teeth, mouth and gums will be assessed to ensure their suitability for treatment and during this process, other oral health issues may be spotted. This could be particularly helpful if you haven’t been for a check up in a while, as it will give your dentist a chance to give your teeth a quick once over before recommending you for whitening treatment. 

Improved self esteem 

People generally consider teeth whitening because they don’t like the way their teeth look. If you’re in this position, then you’ll probably feel self conscious about smiling and showing off your stained teeth. This in turn, can lead you to lose confidence in yourself, even to the point where you snub invitations and generally keep a low profile as you are embarrassed to smile in public. 

Having your teeth professionally whitened will not only result in a lighter, more aesthetically pleasing smile, but in doing so it will help restore your confidence and self esteem. Whiter teeth can give you the confidence to smile again at work and in social situations and generally put yourself back out there. 

Mental health boost 

Nowadays we are all more aware of the toll poor mental health can have on our overall health and wellbeing. Being constantly worried about physical appearance may contribute to stress levels and mental health issues. A boost to your mental health is one of the surprising benefits of teeth whitening – you would be amazed at what a cleaner, brighter looking smile can do for your overall wellbeing 😊. 

A more attractive and youthful look 

Dark, stained teeth is something we tend to associate with older age. If you want a more youthful look, having your teeth whitened is a cost effective way to make your appearance brighter and shift the focus of your face to your mouth. As your smile is a key quality that draws people to you, making the most of it can improve your overall appearance and make you more attractive to others. A white smile also says that you care about your appearance which is another quality that can make you more appealing to other people. 

Fastest makeover 

Many aesthetic procedures take time for results to show and often involve several treatments spread over a period of time. One of the most appealing benefits of teeth whitening is that it is the fastest makeover you can get. If you opt for in chair teeth whitening you could have the process completed in just one appointment. Even if you choose to do at home teeth whitening, with or without a final top up treatment at your dentist, you could still see results in as little as two weeks. 

Professional teeth whitening vs DIY kits 

As you can see, having your teeth whitened has many benefits, some of which you may not have previously considered. These benefits apply to the professional treatments carried out by a qualified dentist, whether they are at home, or in practice treatments. Yes, there are cheaper alternatives available using DIY kits at home, but these are not recommended by dentists and carry risks especially as many of them contain bleaching solutions far higher than is recommended to use at home. Using these unconventional methods can result in damage to the teeth, so to ensure your safety and to deliver the best results it is recommended that teeth whitening is always carried out by a dental professional. 

Dentalia is a family dental practice offering a wide range of dental treatments including at home and in chair teeth whitening in Basingstoke. Follow the link to find out more information.