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Whether they’re gearing up for an interview for the next big career move or gunning for that long-awaited promotion, preparing for a milestone event like the dream wedding or perhaps an exciting first date, and the list goes on, there’s nothing quite as empowering as a bright smile. The confidence one gets from it is a huge boost in making an amazing first impression or creating wonderful memories that last a lifetime.
Almost as many as the reasons people want a brighter smile are the different teeth whitening products and methods and treatments in the market today. From toothpastes to whitening strips, and from home kits to professional whitening treatments in dental clinics and teeth whitening salons like The Smile Bar, having options lets people choose what best fits their lifestyles and matches their budgets.
However, having too many options is not necessarily a good thing. It’s not just the price or the treatment time and frequency that they have to consider. They also have to look into effectiveness, and of course, safety, before they make their decision. And with every brand making the same promise, choosing the right teeth whitening method can be tricky.
Toothpastes
Dental hygiene products take up an entire aisle at most big grocery store chains, with at least one shelf of that dedicated to toothpastes. Regardless of brand, toothpastes promise healthy teeth and gums and fresh breath, and regardless of price, they all deliver on the results, granted that they’re used as prescribed.
Some brands go beyond oral health with specialty variants formulated with active ingredients like baking soda, activated charcoal, and hydrogen peroxide for gradual teeth whitening with regular use. There are also a handful of products that offer instant results through reflective substances that create the optical illusion of whiter teeth.
These whitening toothpastes all say they’re effective, but their claims often come with asterisks. These are basically the caveats — the reasons that the product may not always work, or the possible unwanted side effects that a user may experience with its usage. And with a higher price tag than its non-whitening counterparts, it’s crucial to spend on a toothpaste that delivers visibly whiter teeth, like BrilliantSmileTM WhiteningEVO and WhiteningBOOST.
BrilliantSmileTM WhiteningEVO (Php849 for 65mL) is a fresh mint-flavored gel toothpaste formulated for twice-daily use. Aside from dissolving existing stains, it also prevents new discoloration from sticking to the teeth’s surface. Its hydroxyapatite content also rebuilds and repairs the enamel to improve its strength and hardness, which gives teeth a stronger defense against plaque for better overall oral health.
For more intensive whitening, BrilliantSmileTM WhiteningBOOST (Php649 for 20mL) has a stronger concentration of active ingredients that removes existing stains and prevents new ones from forming, still without causing any abrasions on the teeth’s enamel. And with the combination of potassium nitrate and fluroide, this toothpaste counteracts sensitivity while protecting the teeth from cavities. BrilliantSmileTM WhiteningBOOST is best used for two weeks before shifting back to WhiteningEVO for maintenance.
Another whitening toothpaste worth trying is HiWhite Charcoal Coco Mint (Php649 for 65mL), also developed by BrilliantSmileTM. With activated charcoal, organic coconut oil, and fluoride that dissolve stains from food, beverages, and nicotine and provide complete prophylactic care, this black whitening toothpaste leaves the mouth with a delightful tropical freshness with every brush.
Enhancing the effectiveness of these toothpastes is BrilliantSmileTM WhiteningEVO Mouthrinse (Php999 for 200mL). Unlike other products that are used after brushing, this one’s used just right before to clean the mouth thoroughly and prepare the teeth for a deeper whitening. Its special formulation loosens organic stains on teeth to make them easier to brush away, while also cleansing the hard-to-reach places in the mouth.
These products, developed by BrilliantSmileTM, a Swedish company that leads the cosmetic teeth whitening industry in innovation and safety, are all exclusively distributed in the Philippines by The Smile Bar. Click here to order!
Whitening Strips & Home Kits
Aside from specialty toothpastes, whitening strips and home kits have also become a popular do-it-yourself teeth whitening options, as they usually deliver results fast, are relatively inexpensive compared to professional treatments, and are also quite convenient to purchase online and use anywhere.
But the growing popularity of these products in recent years has led to the proliferation of products that pose serious safety issues on overall oral health, with some being widely distributed without the necessary certifications from regulatory agencies like the Food and Drug Administration.
There are some brands that contain chlorine dioxide, a highly-abrasive acid compound that severely damages the teeth with each use. The same chemical used to disinfect swimming pools, the chemical whitens teeth not by dissolving surface stains but by scraping away at the enamel. This causes sensitivity and increases the risk of tooth decay, plaque build-up, and even gum problems, especially with prolonged use.
And while there are still a lot of manufacturers who don’t use chlorine dioxide, their products can still harm the teeth and gums with unintended misuse. In the hopes of getting visible results faster, it can be tempting to use whitening strips and home kits for longer than the prescribed amount of time indicated on the label, and that does more harm than good.
There’s really no point to having whiter teeth now if they become brittle, sensitive, and even more prone to discoloration, plaque, and cavities in the long run; a brighter smile only matters if overall dental health is in check. So even though DIY is not necessarily a bad thing, there are just some things better left at the hands of professionals.
In-Office Whitening Clinic
Professional teeth whitening treatments are offered in almost all dental clinics everywhere. Although they are effective in most cases, the hefty price tag often prevents people from giving it a try. Prices usually start from Php4,000 for a single treatment cycle, which isn’t that steep on its own. But since usually takes more than one cycle before results become visible, the numbers can easily add up to a huge sum.
The duration of the treatment is another issue, with a single cycle easily taking at least an hour to complete. Given that it a lot of people already find it difficult to see their dentists regularly for essential procedures like prophylaxis and fillings, not everyone can carve out time from their busy schedules for multiple visits for cosmetic teeth whitening.
Most clinics use laser teeth whitening technology, which is generally safe when it is administered by certified dental professionals. However, this type of treatment still poses risks to some, as it can cause side effects like tooth sensitivity due to the high concentration of hydrogen peroxide, which serves as the bleaching agent. During the procedure, there are people who feel electric shocks on their teeth, which could either be just uncomfortable or downright painful, depending on their pain tolerance.
Others continue to experience the same sensitivity, sometimes even coupled with gum irritation, for up to a couple fo days following the treatment. Until the side effects wear off, consuming hot and cold food and beverages is out of the question.
Comfort is another issue when getting in-office whitening at a clinic. Dentist trauma is very real for a lot of people, and no matter how necessary it is for overall dental health, going to the dentist is often an experience that induces anxiety. This is especially true for those who have a long list of dental problems that can only be fixed with pain-causing procedures like extractions or even just braces.
In-Office Whitening Spa
There’s definitely no substitute to a visit to the dentist for oral health maintenance, but for professional cosmetic teeth whitening, there’s The Smile Bar — a teeth whitening salon where everyone can get that whiter, brighter smile in a relaxing and comfortable spa environment. But the ambience is only the first thing that sets The Smile Bar apart from other places that offer in-office treatments.
The Smile Bar’s revolutionary teeth whitening technology, developed by BrilliantSmileTM, delivers visible results in as little as 20 minutes for a single Direct Whitening session. The secret to its effectiveness and safety lies in the combination of the exclusive whitening gel and the UV-free LED plasma light.
The whitening gel is formulated with a low concentration of hydrogen peroxide, which is a gentle solution that does not cause any enamel damage or gum irritation as it removes organic stains on the teeth’s surface. The boost comes from the UV-free LED plasma light, which multiplies the whitening effect to keep the total treatment time very short.
Teeth whitening at The Smile Bar is done in four easy steps, starting with an evaluation of the pre-treatment teeth shade, which is checked against the Shade Guide. The customer then performs the two-step mouth cleaning — gargling with BrilliantSmileTM WhiteningEVO Mouthrinse and brushing with BrilliantSmileTM WhiteningEVO Toothpaste — in preparation for the treatment proper. These same products are perfect for maintenance.
BrilliantSmileTM Whitening Gel is applied to the teeth and boosted with the UV-free LED Plasma Light, which dissolves surface stains and whitens teeth in just 20 minutes. Throughout this treatment window, the only thing left to do is to relax in the Egg Chair. Some use the time to watch an episode of their favorite series (since the session isn’t long enough for a full movie), while others listen to music, catch up on their reading, or even get some work done. A power nap is an option, too, since the Egg Chair is super comfortable!
Depending on the severity of the discoloration, it may take more than one session to achieve the desired results. But since the formulation is very safe on both teeth and gums, up to three Direct Whitening sessions can be done in a single visit, back-to-back-to-back.
The whitening treatments end the same way they start — with an evaluation of the teeth color against the Shade Guide to determine the post-treatment shade. On the average, results can range anywhere from 2 to 9 shades lighter.
Just like any kind of teeth whitening procedure, whether professional or DIY, The Smile Bar’s treatment is followed by some down time. For about 72 hours after, it’s best to avoid heavily-pigmented food and beverages like red meats and tomato-based dishes, and coffee, tea, and red wine. Smoking tobacco or cigarettes is also not allowed.
But the fact is, not everyone can function without coffee, not everyone can skip their protein, and not everyone can keep their moods in check without some nicotine. For people who need to jump right back to their usual lifestyle after a teeth whitening treatment, The Smile Bar has a quick fix: the NanoSeal Total+!
This one-minute solution is applied directly on the teeth’s surface to instantly remineralize the enamel and seal the whiteness as soon as it dries. In as little as an hour after the treatment, all restrictions on food and beverage intake and smoking are lifted with this add-on treatment.
Beyond the fast, effective, and safe procedure and the comfortable environment, another advantage of The Smile Bar’s in-office treatment is the price. Single Whitening is at Php3,999, and is ideal for people who want to make their already-white smile brighter. More severe teeth stains may require Double Whitening, priced at Php5,999, or even Triple Whitening, which retails for Php7,499.
The Smile Bar also offers the Premium Smile Bundle at Php28,499, which includes 12 Direct Whitening sessions with flexible scheduling. It may even be shared with another person. Add-on treatment NanoSeal Total+ is available for only Php1,299.
While definitely not cheap, the services are also definitely not expensive, especially when compared with most other in-office teeth whitening offered by dental clinics. And the results, along with the overall experience, definitely give customers a bang for the buck. Book an appointment at The Smile Bar now!
Maintenance
Getting whiter teeth is one thing, but keeping them so is another. Obviously, proper and regular mouth cleaning is non-negotiable! Oral care products like BrilliantSmileTM WhiteningEVO and WhiteningBOOST , and HiWhite Charcoal Coco Mint toothpastes and BrilliantSmileTM WhiteningEVO Mouthrinse are great products for daily self-care. Toothbrushes need changing every three months, and of course, regular visits to the dentist are an absolute must — again, there’s no substitute for professional oral care.
But the best way to maintain a white, bright smile is a healthy lifestyle. It’s common knowledge that caffeine and nicotine are two of the main culprits behind teeth discoloration, and if quitting is not on the table, even just cutting back has its benefits.
Red wine is another cause of teeth stains, and if it can’t be completely avoided, it could help to enjoy it with cheese! Cheese contains lactic acid that protects from decay, and calcium that strengthens the bones and teeth. Hard cheeses are especially good for teeth, since they can remove other food and pigment particles with every bite.
Crunchy fruits and vegetables like apples, celery, broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots aren’t just packed with nutrients for a healthier body. Because they require more chewing, they trigger the production of saliva, which serves as a natural mouth cleanser. In addition, every bite is a non-abrasive scrub of the teeth’s surface. And although they contain a lot of color, strawberries are actually a great food choice because of malic acid, a natural enzyme that makes teeth whiter.
Whiter Smiles, Brighter Lives
When traveling or in a new social circle, one of the surest ways to make new friends is through a warm, sincere smile. In the professional setting, a confident smile inspires trust, which helps in closing a deal, or getting a job or bagging a promotion. Even finding a partner can be greatly influenced by one’s smile — it leaves a positive impression that stays with the other person long after the first encounter.
In addition, the act of smiling has a number of fringe benefits on a personal level. It releases endorphins that can instantly relieve stress and improve one’s mood even in the middle of a tough day. It also helps boost the body’s immune system by signaling the brain to ward off illness-causing anxiety and tension. On the flip side, not smiling enough can potentially create conflict within social circles, and even dampen a person’s disposition.
People may have different reasons why they want to have whiter teeth, but underneath it all, what they’re really after is a confidence boost that comes from having a great smile. A whiter smile is an investment for the brighter life you deserve. After all, the smile is a universal sign that communicates happiness, wellness, friendliness, and kindness, making it a great first step in being at peace with oneself, and in creating meaningful connections with other people.
Drop by The Smile Bar and see for yourself how your whiter smile can change your life for the brighter.
