Ok, Ok, obviously seeing as though all general dental practices across the UK can only telephone triage during the pandemic, full on professional teeth whitening is clearly not an option! However, there is a very simple way to help make your teeth look whiter from the comfort of your own home, and who would’ve guessed, it’s all thanks to the beautiful British weather we have been blessed with!

How white your teeth are perceived is hugely influenced by your comparative skin tone. So, the darker you skin tone appears, the whiter your teeth will relatively look. Two people with identical tooth shades can look like they have totally different coloured teeth as the perception is all comparative.

Soaking up a little sun (safely) generally makes you feel better. It tops up those vitamin D supplies, but it can often make you look better too. Your eyes appear brighter, as will your smile! People will often comment on how much “healthier” they, or others, look after a holiday (though it may not be true!). So, if you want your teeth to look brighter whilst your dentist is in lock down, safely tan away!

Some words of caution, we are going for safely sun-kissed, not sun scorched! Always use a suitable sun screen whilst enjoying the sun. Don’t just rely on SPF. On the bottle you need to look for the term ‘broad spectrum’ or the UVA logo plus the word ‘high’. Limit your exposure to direct sunlight and try to seek shade. Your skin reaches a tanning cut-off point when it physically can’t produce any more melanin, the tanning pigment, subjecting your skin to the risk of UV damage. Always avoid using sunbeds! And remember, you can always faux your ‘tan’ from a bottle – much safer and easier, especially if outdoor space is limited!

Once this lockdown is lifted, we will be waiting to help with more professional and effective ways to ensure your smile looks brighter without relying on visual illusions!…. And we cannot wait!

For more information, visit our website here. You can also follow us on Instagram and Facebook. We are still available for phone consultations on 02030801000 or drop us an email mail@cfdentist.co.uk

Stay safe, stay home, tan safe!