Your smile is your greatest asset - so taking care of it is a must! If you’re ready to take on a teeth whitening routine, you’re in good company: teeth whitening is the most commonly requested teeth whitening procedure around. Luckily, there are plenty of options to choose from when whitening your teeth.
This article will tackle the best way to start a whitening routine, best practices to get a whiter smile, and the best whitening products to turn up the dial on your smile. Remember, consistency is critical in achieving and maintaining a whiter smile. As with any dental routine, check with your dentist before making significant changes in your routine, and report any side effects immediately to ensure the health of your pearly whites.
Best Teeth Whitening Routine
Daily Teeth Whitening Routine At Home
1. Pick a Time of Day (or Better, Two Times of Day)
Whitening your teeth won’t just be a one-time event. You’ll find the most successful whitening your smile when you create better oral health habits and establish a daily cadence to ensure that the teeth whitening routine will stick.
We recommend choosing a set time of day, or two times a day, to start whitening. Ideally, you’ll pair your whitening routine with another scheduled activity, or build it into your existing oral hygiene routine. For example, you may apply your whitening treatment while you pack kids’ lunches for school, read a book before bed, or simply add on the whitening routine after your morning or evening brushing. As you establish a routine at a set time and pair it with another activity, the habit of whitening will form more quickly.
You’ll find it easiest to create a whitening routine when your supplies are handy, so keep them where you’ll see them and be able to reach for them quickly. Your bathroom vanity is ideal since it’s near your toothbrush, and you’ll want to give your teeth a thorough cleaning before applying any whitening products.
2. Seek Accountability
Any coach will tell you that goals are more quickly attained when you are being held accountable for your actions and results. Accountability means allowing others to be aware of your behavior and accepting responsibility. In addition, you may find an accountability partner in a friend or family member who will help you keep up your habit.
An accountability partner doesn’t need to do much to help you - just be a supportive, listening ear. You can find straightforward ways to keep in touch with them. For example, suggest sending a fun emoji each day you do your whitening treatment. Ask that your accountability partner text you a reminder or some encouragement if you haven’t texted the emoji that day. This simple routine will form a ‘streak’ that you won’t want to break. The pride of texting your accountability partner and their reminders and encouragement will help you keep on track.
Even better, enlist a loved one to do a whitening challenge together! If you both want to look and feel your best before a special event like a vacation or wedding, you could encourage each other to stay on track.
3. Build a Complete Routine
It’s vital to build a complete oral hygiene routine and add whitening as an added step. Establishing a comprehensive oral health routine will ensure that you maintain the integrity and health of your teeth. Thoroughly brushing with a soft-bristle toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste and flossing twice daily is essential in cleaning your enamel and removing plaque and debris.
Deep cleaning your teeth will allow the whitening products to absorb more evenly and work more effectively. Remember to do your oral hygiene routine before performing any whitening treatment, as pairing these will help you to whiten more effectively and help you build your habit.
4. Keep At It
Habits take time to form - so keep at it, even if you don’t see results. You will need to keep up your whitening routine for at least one week to 10 days per session and continue upkeep treatments once a month. Alternatively, you could build in a weekly or bi-weekly therapy on set days of the month. If you veer from your routine, simply pick it back up - your smile journey is all about progress, not perfection!
5. Choose the Right Equipment
One of the most vital decisions you’ll make about your whitening routine is selecting the right tools for whitening. There are various tools and techniques you can employ to brighten your smile.
When picking a whitening product, consider the following:
TIME
Consider how much time you have to dedicate to a whitening routine. Remember that while we all want quick results, you’ll see results faster if you devote more time to whitening. Think about blocks of time available to incorporate your routine of getting ready for work or before going to bed.
In addition to the time, you’ll want to do your daily or weekly routine, think about your time in terms of how long you’d like to take to achieve your goal. For example, if you have a big event you’re working towards in one month, you’ll want to pick a powerful product that yields results quickly.
CONVENIENCE
If you’re on the go or hoping to whiten while you multitask, consider choosing a product that is hands-free or quick charging to have it prepped for the subsequent treatment and won’t have to spend lots of time preparing it.
DIETARY RESTRICTIONS
Believe it or not, all whitening gel formulas are not created equal! In addition to varying the whitening agents’ concentration, whitening gels’ ingredients may vary by brand. So if you’re vegan or gluten-free, look out for a whitening formula that allows for your dietary restrictions, like GLO Science Whitening Gel Pods.
ENAMEL SENSITIVITY
You’ll want to choose an enamel-safe formula approved for sharp teeth for those with sensitive enamel. If your teeth are sharp or you feel pain when eating hot or cold foods or drinks, this is a good sign you’ll want a sensitivity-free formula.
EASE OF USE
Above all, you will need to choose a whitening treatment that is easy to use. Whether that means a streamlined design, a few simple steps, or one that has a built-in treatment timer like the GLO So Brilliant Whitening Device, it will help you to achieve your smile goals.