How to have whiter teeth? A dentist gives his advice

Sophia Khatsenkova 3:28 p.m., September 02, 2021

Consuming coffee, tea, improper brushing, and even genetics can impact the color of our teeth.

Fortunately, there are solutions to regain its former glow thanks to the advice of Christophe Lequart, dental surgeon.

He was the guest of "Bienfait Pour Vous" on Europe 1, Thursday. 

INTERVIEW

For the past twenty years, white teeth have become an omnipresent trend, especially in the world of advertising.

Guest from Europe 1, Thursday, Doctor Christophe Lequart, dental surgeon, recalls that having white teeth is part of our health.

How to find them?

The specialist first specifies that there are different colorings to take into account.

First, there is the external coloring linked to our habits, for example with the consumption of tea, coffee or even tobacco.

Second, there is the specific coloring of the tooth which varies from one individual to another.

"The older you get, the more yellow your teeth become because the enamel ages", explains Dr. Lequart. 

How to get rid of the different colorations?

For colorings related to our daily habits, the doctor recommends descaling and professional cleaning in a dental office.

And not surprisingly, do a good daily brushing morning and evening.

For the proper coloring of teeth, there are products such as hydrogen peroxide which oxidizes the colored pigments of the tooth. 

Should we stop tea or coffee?

For those who love tea or coffee early in the morning, there are solutions.

"You should not stop drinking coffee or tea, but I recommend drinking a glass of water immediately afterwards to rinse your mouth in order to eliminate deposits on the surface of the teeth", indicates Doctor Christophe Lequart.

Another tip common in the United States: consuming your drink through a straw "would limit deposits on the teeth but it is not necessarily pleasant," he admits. 

Lemon juice: to be banned! 

Among the natural remedies often mentioned, we find lemon juice, seen as a good way to whiten your teeth.

A technique "to be banned completely", according to Christophe Lequart.

"The acidity of the lemon will demineralize the enamel and will weaken the teeth a lot. In addition, the enamel will not grow back. We will have sensitivity to hot or cold," warns the dentist. 

What about the aligner and toothpaste?

According to Christophe Lequart, gutter whitening is much more effective than simple toothpastes that promise a bright smile. "Some toothpastes will color the gum red, so there will be more contrast between the tooth and the gum. Others will deposit a thin layer of silicone, which is invisible to the eye. With the reflection of light, this silicone layer will give a sparkling side ", explains the dentist. Other toothpastes that contain baking soda will polish the tooth surface more. However, Christophe Lequart warns against the use of bicarbonate that can be found in our kitchen because the grains are of a substantial size and will have an abrasive and non-polishing effect. 

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Another trend: charcoal toothpastes.

Christophe Lequart evokes the concern for the abrasiveness of these products.

“They should be low abrasive, which is not marked on the tubes. And we don't have enough scientific studies that show that charcoal is effective in removing staining from teeth. should be avoided for now. " 

For mouthguard whitening, a dental office takes impressions of the mouth and will manufacture a custom-made mouthpiece for each patient. The treatment lasts 15 days and you have to wear the splint for a few hours a day or all night. It is also necessary to limit tea, coffee, tobacco during this period. According to the dentist, this is a technique increasingly used by dentists. "The technique in the chair, we practice it less and less, we prefer the ambulatory technique", says Christophe Lequart. The result lasts between 3 to 4 years. After this period, you will need to do a little booster shot and a scaling every year to keep your teeth white longer. The only downside: the treatment costs between 500 and 1,200 euros, depending on the firm.