Teeth whitening is something people tend to think is superficial. They believe it’s only done for appearances, and that there are no deeper health benefits to the process. This actually couldn’t be further from the truth. It indeed can improve your looks, but whitening can improve your health as well. Below are four reasons why teeth whitening can improve both the look and health of your smile.
It Reduces Bacteria
One thing that teeth whitening does that you may have been unaware of is that it lowers the amount of bacteria inside your mouth. Whitening products tend to have added ingredients that kill many harmful kinds of oral bacteria. This is the same bacteria that causes issues like gum disease and tooth decay.
Teeth Whitening Helps to Remove Plaque
Also keep in mind that white teeth tend to be clean teeth. The whitening process will help to remove plaque from your teeth. Plaque is a sticky film that can build on your teeth over time. It can develop when bacteria in your mouth interacts with the sugars and starches from the foods you eat. Plaque can cause bad breath and gum pain in addition to being nasty to look at. It can be a big contributor to cavities, gum disease and other oral health problems.
It Can Improve Your Heart Health
Good oral hygiene has been linked by many studies to poor heart health. As such, habits such as whitening that increase your oral hygiene can actually save you from poor heart health later in life. Some dentists, like Dr. David K Skeels, know that taking care of your teeth and gums can help improve heart health. Having a lack of problems like cavities and gum disease could mean you’ll live a much longer life.
It Can Improve Your Mental Health
While whitening is part of good oral hygiene, it has other benefits as well. For one, with whiter teeth, you’re likely to have more self confidence in regards to your appearance. You won’t be afraid to smile like you would with yellowing teeth. This can certainly be a good boost for your mental health. With a better self image, you’ll be much less likely to suffer from serious issues like depression. People that feel happier about how they look tend to live longer healthier lives. Don’t overlook the importance of the visual aspect of teeth whitening.
Despite what you may think, whitening can improve both the look of your teeth and your health as well. It can help to remove both plaque from your teeth and bacteria from your mouth. It can also improve your mental health and help to prevent heart disease. Overall, there are many benefits to teeth whitening beyond having better looking teeth.