Can you make over your smile without a trip to the dentist? We put the latest whitening, brightening and strengthening tooth technology to the test…
In the vast spectrum of beauty ideals, there is one great leveller – we all want a bright, beautiful smile. “The lower third of your face is the most important anti-ageing tool,” agrees cosmetic dentist Uchenna Okoye.
ALSO SEE: How To Care For Your Teeth At Every Age
“If teeth are whiter, you instantly appear younger. We invest in cleansers and moisturisers for our skin but we don’t always look after our smile so well. Using an electric toothbrush is key, regular six-month hygienes are a must, plus there are some great whitening toothpastes – like having a deep facial then using cream to keep skin healthy,” says Dr Uchenna.
Here are our picks of the best products to help give your smile an upgrade.
The Silicone Toothbrush
If you struggle with sensitive gums, then a silicone toothbrush is the way to go. Like most specialised gadgets, the Foreo ISSA 2 Sensitive Set, from R3 000, is a size-able investment but we think the benefits make it all worth the price tag.
This electric brush features ultra-soft silicone and polymer bristles that are not only kinder to gums and help leave your teeth feeling ultra-clean with smart sonic pulse technology, it also holds up to 10 000 times less bacteria compared to nylon bristle variations. Not to mention its two interchangeable heads and a whopping 365 day battery life. Sold!
The Teeth Whitening Strips
When it comes to at-home teeth whitening, we trust White Glo for results that show. Their Bright Nights Dissolving Whitening Films, R99,95 for seven strips, give stained teeth the brightening boost they need, fast, thanks to a 3% peroxide formula.
The Whitening Toothpaste
Olgani Detoxifying Charcoal Toothpaste, R99,95 for 75ml, is our first choice when it comes to natural teeth whitening. It leaves teeth looking pearly with whitening activated charcoal, refreshing peppermint oil plus bacteria-blitzing coconut oil.
ALSO SEE: Natural Ways To Keep Your Teeth Healthy
The Gum Protecting Mouthwash
Keeping tartar build-up at bay will not only improve the health of your gums but it will help reduce the look of stains and discoloration, too. Listerine offers a host of mouthwashes we all know and love but their Antiseptic Anti-bacterial mouthwash, R62,00 for 500ml, is our beauty editor’s favourite.
The Pulling Oil
Oil pulling is an oral health treatment that finds its roots in ancient Ayurvedic medicine and is truly a fantastic method of improving the condition of both your teeth and gums.
Cocobaci 15 day oil pulling program, R310, is great to try and comes with 15 single-use flavoured virgin coconut oil sachets to swirl around in your mouth for at least 10-minutes at a time for visibly white teeth.
By Beauty Editor Martinique Stevens
