Looking for the answer to perfect white movie star teeth?
A cosmetic dentist has finally lifted the lid on the teeth whitening products that really work—and the ones you can definitely skip—to achieve a stunning smile.
The information was shared in a new TikTok video by the dentist Joyce Kangbased in Orange County, California, who owns it O+M Dental Studio.
Kahng has been practicing cosmetic dentistry for over a decade and is a former Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of Southern California Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry.
She it recently broke down which whitening products are the real deal, but they started by explaining why your teeth might look yellow to begin with.
Cosmetic dentist Joyce Kahng has finally lifted the lid on the teeth whitening products that really work – and which ones you can definitely skip – to achieve a stunning smile
The expert broke down which whitening products are real, but he started by explaining why your teeth might look yellow to begin with (stock image)
Yellow teeth can be caused by one of two things – extrinsic stains or intrinsic stains.
Extrinsic stains form on the outside of your enamel from things like coffee, tea, and wine.
“These types of stains could easily be removed during your professional dental cleaning,” Kahng explained.
But endogenous stains, which appear under your tooth enamel, are more difficult to get rid of and require whitening products in order to change their color.
However, note that extrinsic stains can sometimes become intrinsic if you leave them on your teeth for long enough.
“Eventually they will penetrate the enamel structure and change the internal color of the tooth, so we have to address both for long-term results,” he explained in the clip.
So when it comes to trying to manage exterior stains, there are a few products that can help.
The dentist recommended a whitening toothpaste that is “not too abrasive,” such as Sensodyne, as well as whitening mouthwashes.
Extrinsic stains form on the outside of your enamel from things like coffee, tea and wine, the dentist explained—and they’re easier to get rid of
“Keep in mind that whitening mouthwashes should be used after brushing and flossing, and they basically help prevent stains from sticking to the surface of the tooth,” she said.
“Both help treat external stains and prevent future ones from forming,” added the dentist.
But when it comes to trying to remove ingrown stains, you’ll want to use hydrogen peroxide-based products, according to the expert.
Some of these products include whitening strips and trays or professional whitening treatments that can be done in the office.
But one thing to stay away from? Bleaching pen.
That’s because these have a low concentration of hydrogen peroxide and “are probably the most ineffective way to bleach,” according to Kahng.
“If only whitening products addressed what types of stains they actually address, I think that would lead to a lot less confusion for the general public,” Kahng concluded.
So the next time you want to give your teeth a little makeover, take Kahng’s advice into account to make sure you’re choosing the right products.
