Outrageous Celebrity Teeth Whitening Tricks!
Plus! Actual Dentist Recommended Teeth Whitening Tips.
Everyone wants a bright healthy smile, and celebrities are often known for their white teeth. But how do the stars get their teeth so white? Do they know something the rest of us don’t know?
The tricks of the trade.
Some celebrities skip whitening their teeth and opt to camouflage them instead, using certain shades of lipstick to make their teeth appear whiter. The theory goes that colors that are opposite of yellow, like certain hues of blue, will create a whiter look when used as a base.
Other celebrities chew their teeth white, eating crunchy vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli and carrots to scrub away stains from their teeth. Hey, we’re all for healthy eating! And you know what? This one actually works.
And then there are the “swishers.”
You may have heard recently about Gwyneth Paltrow and Shailene Woodley who swear by their use of “oil pulling” to naturally whiten their teeth.
Oil pulling dates back 3,000 years to ancient India. The process is simple enough, though maybe a little time consuming. Proponents of the practice fill their mouths with coconut or sesame oil and swish it through their teeth and gums for up to 20 minutes a day. They claim it pulls toxins out of their bodies, and improves their oral health, all while whitening their teeth.
Does it really work?
“The process of swishing itself removes debris and stains,“ says Dr. Elizabeth Rydell, Chief Dental Officer, Midwest Dental Support Center.
“But we’re not recommending oil pulling as a replacement for traditional oral healthcare. The evidence just isn’t there yet.”
The American Dental Association even weighed in and is sticking with modern dental care, citing the lack of any reliable scientific evidence for oil pulling. They instead recommend that you brush your teeth twice a day, floss, and use an antibacterial mouthwash.
Many of us are already doing that however, and still want whiter teeth. So if Hollywood doesn’t have the answer, what does the dentist say?
“There are many good ways to whiten healthy teeth,“ says Dr. Rydell. “Some patients have great results with over the counter whitening products, while others prefer the quicker results they get from in-office whitening. Custom take-home whitening trays are also very popular and provide visible results in a week or two.”
Once your teeth are nice and white, you can keep them that way by avoiding foods and drinks that stain your teeth, replacing your toothbrush every 3-4 months, and of course visiting your dentist twice a year for a cleaning. You can’t go wrong with that last one!
Celebrity teeth whiteners, take note.