While Hollywood piano-key smiles might not be so chic anymore, there’s a lot to be said for the anti-aging, confidence-boosting power of a bright, white smile. We spoke to Dr Uchenna Okoye, Cosmetic Dentist and Clinical Director/Founder of the London Smiling Dental Group, about how we can upgrade our smiles…
Grazia Daily: Why are some people's teeth whiter than others'?
Uchenna Okoye: “Diet has a major impact on teeth colour - we call this extrinsic staining. Some people are just born with yellower teeth though, which we call intrinsic staining. This is genetic - a bit like the colour of your hair and eyes. Some people have a thinner layer of enamel and this means the dentine colour - the true colour of your teeth - will shine through. Also, taking antibiotics use or other medications before the ages of eight can have an effect on the colour of your teeth.”
GD: We all know sugar is terrible for teeth, but if we do indulge in a sweet treat, how can we minimise the damage?
UO: “If you indulge in a sugary drink, use a straw to drink it and swallow quickly – don’t give it time to create more acid in your mouth. The same goes for sweets – the longer your teeth are exposed to sugary things, the worse the damage, so try not to linger on them too much. Chew sugar free gum or gum with Xylitol straight after as well - this will help you produce more saliva, which helps neutralise the effect of the sugar. The worst thing to do is to brush your teeth straight after, as you will brush away weakened enamel.”
GD: What’s the difference between same-day whitening at your dentist and take-home trays?
UO: “The key thing about whitening is it has to be done by a qualified dentist, whatever you opt for. In-clinic whitening is more expensive as it’s done within the hour but it doesn’t suit everyone as it can make your teeth especially sensitive for a while after. At-home whitening is where custom moulds are made of your mouth, which you take home and apply whitening gel to. You then pop the trays in your mouth overnight, and usually within four days you can see a difference, though we advise wearing them for two weeks. Price, time and levels of teeth sensitivity should be taken into account when choosing what’s right for you.”
GD: Do whitening toothpastes work?
UO: “It is worth using a good toothpaste and I recommend the Oral B 3D Luxe Pearl Shine to my clients - it removes surface stains which will keep your teeth looking brighter. The only way to do real whitening is via your dentist - toothpaste alone is not enough - but toothpastes are fabulous for maintaining a bright smile and keeping your teeth stain free after professional whitening.
GD: Lots of celebrities are endorsing at-home LED/blue light whitening devices. Do these work? If so, how?
UO: “Any whitening should only be done by a qualified dentist or under supervision of a dental practice. Those sold over the counter don’t have the level of peroxide needed to whiten teeth, so they don’t work. They are a waste of money and if you read reviews on various sites, you can see they don’t work.”
GD: What’s the best way to maintain white teeth?
UO: “Everyone should invest in a beauty routine for their smile, and not think of the dentist as something horrid. If you spend five minutes a day on your smile, you’ll reap lifetime beauty and health benefits. Definitely invest in a good electric toothbrush, a good stain-removing toothpaste and floss - you need to floss if you want to keep your teeth! Finally, frame your smile - keep those lips in shape with a fabulous moisturising lipstick. I’m loving the new Dior Addict collection right now.”
GD: What do you think is the best toothbrush on the market?
UO: “Definitely electric – it’s what I use! I liken it to washing your clothes by hand versus a washing machine. I recommend the Oral-B Pro 6000 Smart Series as it really personalises how you brush your teeth and can be linked up to your smartphone, which is fun.”
GD: What are the options we have if one or more of our teeth is really discoloured?
UO: “There’s so many things that can be done from crowns, veneers, cosmetic bonding, whitening… talk to your dentist about your options. The key thing is something can always be done, whatever the budget.”
GD: What are some staining foods/drinks we might not know about?
UO: “I can tell the latest food trends just by looking in someone’s mouth. This year, I’m seeing so much enamel damage with people who go mad on juicing. Don’t get me wrong, I love juices but daily juicing can cause serious damage and wear down your tooth enamel. Drinking juices with a straw or, better still, just eating whole fruit is best. Also, the herbal tea market has grown and people are always so shocked how all these healthy herbal teas can stain their teeth.”
GD: If we have a glass of red or a black coffee, what should we do afterwards to minimise staining?
UO: “Rinse your mouth with water and swirl the water around your teeth.”
**GD: What’s a common mistake your patients make when trying to get whiter teeth? **
UO: “The most dangerous thing is buying whitening kits online or going to beauty salons who offer whitening. It's really important you see a dental professional. Whitening toothpastes can only do so much and the best way to keep teeth white is to invest in a good beauty routine, don’t miss hygiene visits, and if you have whitened your teeth, top up with gels from your dentist once a year.”