If you’re wondering whether to invest in teeth whitening, here are some points from our Delta dentists on how to tell if teeth whitening would be right for you.
The degree of whiteness that is most attractive is highly subjective, but there are a few ways you can go about deciding if you’d benefit from teeth whitening. Ultimately, the only opinion that matters is yours.
To help you decide, here are a few points to consider:
Do you smile openly and confidently at people, or in pictures?
When you suspect your teeth look dingy or discoloured, you might find yourself trying to hide them by not smiling as openly as you’d really like to.
If that sounds like you then teeth whitening might help you to feel more confident about your smile!
Look yourself in the eye: how well do your teeth measure up?
A great rule of thumb for determining how white your teeth should be is comparing the whiteness of your teeth to the shade of the whites of your eyes. If your teeth are a similar shade of white to the whites of your eyes, then you likely don’t want to make them any whiter, as it could start to look artificial.
If you find that your teeth are significantly darker than the whites of your eyes, then whitening might be a good choice for you.
Have you undergone dental restorations or orthodontic treatment?
If you've undergone dental restorations, or if you plan to, teeth whitening could be a good idea for you. Ideally, the shade of your natural teeth should match that of your restorations as closely as possible in order to achieve an even smile, teeth whitening can help with this.
If you've had braces in the past, you might find that the spots where the brackets were attached to your teeth are lighter than the rest of the teeth. This can make your teeth appear uneven or patchy. Teeth whitening can help to significantly reduce this effect.
What does your dentist think?
Ask your dentist for his or her opinion about teeth whitening and whether it would be beneficial for you. Your dentist can help you decide with a colour chart, and provide you with the details you need to make an informed decision.