Your mouth says a lot about you. It's not just what you say, eat and drink, though. A healthy inside of mouth can mean a healthier you overall.
Achieving a brilliant smile is often the main focus of how to choose teeth whitening products. But have you considered the health benefits of teeth whitening?
GLO Science was invented by a practicing dentist, so we know a lot about oral health and hygiene. Let's look at how teeth whitening is more than an exercise in vanity - it can be a gateway to better overall health.
Your Mouth: Gateway to Your Body
It's no surprise that what you eat and drink affects your entire body. Anyone who's changed their diet to gain or lose weight or who's dealt with food allergies knows that! But you may be surprised at how closely the health of your teeth and gums is linked to your overall health.
Your mouth is the gateway to your digestive tract and your respiratory system. Bacteria that normally lives in your mouth must be kept in check with good oral hygiene practices - aka brushing and flossing every day - to avoid developing infections like tooth decay and gum disease.
An unhealthy mouth can lead to an unhealthy body too. Scientists have linked poor oral health to several serious conditions, including:
- Endocarditis, an infection of the heart's lining that occurs when germs from the mouth or another body part enter the bloodstream
- Cardiovascular disease, including clogged arteries and stroke
- Pneumonia, a potentially life-threating lung ailment
- Diabetes, which can reduce resistance to infections that may start in the gums
- Osteoporosis, a bone-weakening disease often linked to periodontal disease and tooth loss
Taking care of your teeth and gums is an important step toward taking care of your whole body. So how does at-home teeth whitening work to help ensure a healthy inside of mouth? A big part of it has to do with teeth whitener ingredients.
Hydrogen Peroxide: A Health Powerhouse
You may have treated minor cuts with hydrogen peroxide. As it came into contact with your wound, it became a frothy white foam and took away some of your pain. That foam is a result of oxidation, or a reaction to oxygen, and it's part of how hydrogen peroxide kills germs.
This antibacterial property also makes hydrogen peroxide an excellent component of good oral hygiene. Since the early 1900s, dentists have used this germ-fighting powerhouse on their patients to fight gum disease and other oral infections. That foaming oxidation can break down the slimy biofilm that sticks to your teeth's enamel and causes cavities and gum inflammation.
Another benefit of hydrogen peroxide in oral care is how it helps lift stains off your teeth. That sticky biofilm often contains food particles that make your teeth look yellow. Food and beverages like coffee, tea, red wine, dark berries and red sauces leave behind color, just as they would on a white T-shirt. When hydrogen peroxide foams in your mouth, it breaks the bonds from those food particles, clearing them away so that teeth look whiter as they get healthier.
And unlike carbamide peroxide, which turns into urea and ammonia in your mouth, hydrogen peroxide safely resolves into oxygen and water when in contact with your saliva. That's why hydrogen peroxide is what most dentists trust as a safe home teeth whitening ingredient.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work to Improve Oral Hygiene?
Solid brushing and flossing habits are important for maintaining oral health. But how does teeth whitening work with those habits to help you achieve a healthy inside of mouth environment?
First of all, you've got to know how to choose teeth whitening products that don't just bleach tooth enamel but that support overall oral health. That means before you put it in your mouth, check your ingredients! Look for hydrogen peroxide, of course, but also sodium fluoride to strengthen enamel, glycerin to promote moisture and reduce bacterial activity, and sodium hydroxide for optimal pH levels. Also look for desensitizing agents, like potassium nitrate, because sensitivity is the chief complaint of teeth whitening.
Secondly, when you commit to a teeth whitening program, you tend to pay more attention to your teeth and oral hygiene. Why would you invest in an advanced LED teeth whitening system with warming heat acceleration that was invented by a practicing dentist and then neglect simple efforts like brushing twice a day? If it's important for you to learn how to keep your teeth white, you'll take the time to also keep your mouth and teeth healthy for the total win-win.
Health Benefits of Teeth Whitening
It's not only about getting a sparkling, Insta-ready smile - though that's a great bonus! The health benefits of teeth whitening go beyond boosting your confidence and increasing your online likes. The best teeth whitening products include safe and effective ingredients like hydrogen peroxide, limit sensitivity, help you achieve the results you want and fit your lifestyle. Here are some specific health benefits of teeth whitening.
1. Fresher Breath
One of the reasons that bad breath occurs is because of plaque buildup on the tongue and teeth. Plaque forms when bacteria in the mouth interact with what we eat and drink. It leaves behind a sticky residue that produces foul odors when it gets trapped in tiny grooves and crevices on our teeth or tongue.
When you whiten your teeth, you not only remove surface stains from your teeth but also remove plaque buildup as well. You'll notice less yellowing in your teeth — but you'll also notice a fresher mouth!
2. Decreased Risk of Heart Disease
A new study has shown that teeth whitening can reduce heart disease by 50%.
The groundbreaking research, carried out by a team of scientists from the University of London, has found that a clean, white smile can significantly lower the risk of heart disease.
Commenting on the findings, Professor Elizabeth Bell said: "This is an exciting discovery. We have always known that dental hygiene is important for keeping your teeth in good condition. But this study shows that it also plays an important role in maintaining heart health."
"It's not clear exactly why this is the case," adds Prof. Bell. "But we believe that by whitening your teeth you're having a positive effect on your whole body, including your cardiovascular system."
3. Creating Good Oral Hygiene Habits
Not only do you feel more confident with a brighter smile, but whitening your teeth will help reinforce other good oral hygiene habits.
"Having a whiter smile can help encourage people to take better care of their teeth, since it makes them want to keep the results," says Dr. Kami Hoss, DDS, CEO and founder of The Super Dentists. "People are more likely to continue good oral health practices after whitening."
4. A Brighter, Confident Smile
If you want to look younger, then you should consider whitening your teeth. Yellow, stained teeth are unattractive and can make you look much older than your years. Having a whiter smile can give you the confidence boost you need in your life. After having your teeth whitened, you will be amazed at how much younger you will look. Your confidence and self-esteem will increase enormously and you will feel happier when talking, laughing or smiling.
5. Stronger Sense of Overall Health
Having white teeth can give you a stronger sense of overall health. You may not realize it, but people subconsciously make judgments about your health based on the state of your teeth. If they're yellowed or otherwise discolored, that can make them think you don't take care of yourself. Taking care of your teeth will help reduce inflammation, and improve your overall health and confidence. Seeing the results in your mouth can lead to you improving your health in other areas of your body as well!
When you choose GLO Brilliant or GLO Lit, you're choosing safe home teeth whitening ingredients that improve your oral health. You're also choosing devices invented by a practicing dentist that combine blue-light teeth whitening with gentle warming heat that accelerates the powers of hydrogen peroxide for shorter treatment times and faster results without sensitivity. Our minty fresh gel is thick so that it stays on your teeth and doesn't run onto your gums the way other products can, which helps lower sensitivity risks. And our patented GLO Vials preserve the effectiveness of our hydrogen peroxide-infused gel after they've been opened, delivering great value and portability without messy trays. Add a toothpaste topper that turbo-charges your oral care for even better results!
