There are lots of ways to get a brighter, whiter smile (Image: Getty)
Keeping your teeth clean and your mouth healthy is pretty straightforward. Clean your teeth twice a day, visit the dentist regularly, and use floss and mouthwash when you need to.
What is more contested is how to achieve a smile so dazzling everyone around you will have to wear sunglasses.
There are a lot of products promising a whiter smile and myths about home remedies that can help too, but what actually works?
GQ spoke to cosmestic dentist Dr Joyce Kahng, who shares information on how to keep your mouth healthy and busts common myths on her social media platforms, where she has a combined total of almost 700,000 followers.
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The dentist said most teeth whitening products don't remove stains (Image: Getty)
“There are so many products that are marketed to be ‘teeth whitening’ and most of them are probably actually not," she said.
Most whitening toothpastes, she explained, only clean the outside of the teeth - handy for a quick fix, but no use for dealing with the root of the problem.
Whitening, on the other hand, actually changes the colour of the teeth from the inside out.
“We’re talking about removing those stains, breaking them up, and lifting them out of the teeth,” said Dr Kahng.
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"If it would stain my white coat, it can stain your teeth." (Image: Getty)
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How do stains start?
The California dentist warns there are a lot of things which can stain your teeth - with some of the most common including coffee, red wine, and cigarettes.
She said: "If it would stain my white coat, it can stain your teeth. They all go in the category of depositing stains on the outside of your teeth."
Thankfully, this means the stains can be eliminated by brushing - but only if you do so quickly. If you leave the stain too long it can get absorbed into the teeth, which is when the colour starts to dull or turn yellow.And the longer it's there, the harder it is to get rid of.
“It’s a lot easier for a teenager to get a good result from basic over-the-counter strips than if you’re 80 years old,” said Dr Kahng.
Most at-home teeth whitening remedies "don't make a difference" (Image: Getty)
The best ways to whiten your teeth
Professional whitening treatments
These are carried out at a dentist, where a gel containing up to 6% hydrogen peroxide is used. At-home whitening kits sold in the UK can only contain up to .1% hydrogen peroxide.
Procedures take around 90 minutes, and the dentist will use protective measures to make the treatment as effective as possible, including blocking off saliva, which can deactivatee the effects of hydrogen peroxide.
"It's really creating the optimal environment for whitening, said Dr Kahng. "That's why it is the fastest that you can whiten within a certain time frame.”
At-home whitening strips and trays
These are also effective when used regularly, Dr Kahng said. "It's like going to the gym. Doing a little bit every day is better than one intense session."
She recommends patients use strips every day for a week or two - skipping a day if the teeth start to feel too sensitive.
Home remedies
While there are lots of ideas for ways to keep your smile as white as possible with things you might have in the cupboard, Dr Kahng says these are generally a waste of time.
Some recommend backing soda and activated charcoal, but these just clean off surface stains the same way toothpaste does, she said.
Coconut oil pulling - swilling oil in your mouth like a mouthwash - is also said by some to make a difference, and has its origins in ancient India. But Dr Kahng is sceptical.
"Anecdotally, people say that helps, but scientifically, I don’t see it actually whitening the teeth from the inside out," she said. Likewise, over-the-counter hydrogen peroxide is only at a strenth of 3%, so won't have any effect on teeth, and can actually damage the gums, so this should be avoided.
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4 expert tips to keep your teeth white
1. Don’t expect permanent results
New stains will start to appear almost immediately, unless you completely cut out everything that causes them.
Dr Kahng said:"Teeth whitening is actually one of those journeys where it requires maintenance throughout your lifetime if you want to maintain a certain color."
2. Find your rhythm
How often you need to use whitening products will depend on your own situation.
"For me, because I drink coffee and wine, I need to put in a whitening tray once a month. That’s enough to get me back to where I’m happy."
3. Sensitivity is normal
It is normal to experience some sensitivity when whitening, especially at first. Dr Kahng recommends using a sensitivity toothpaste with an active ingredient of potassium nitrate or nanohydroxyapatite before or after whitening.
4.Whitening isn't for everyone
Dr Kahng says if you're pregnant or breastfeeding, whitening your teeth isn't a good idea. Likewise, if you have active cavities, you should get those taken care of first.
And whitening won't make a difference to veneers, crowns, or bridges. In fact, Dr Kahng says, whitening can actually tarnish the surface glaze.
