In the time we’ve spent indoors, we’ve thought over the things we’ve never given pause to. We’ve decluttered, found a reset, and become more conscious in general.
It applies to an essential component of good hygiene: oral health.
New trends and gadgets saturate the personal health care arena. In the past few years, at-home teeth whitening has become one of the most prominent. There are strips and lights on top of every toothpaste and mouthwash enhanced with whitening ingredients.
I find that in this category, there’s but a handful that does stand out. This year, SPARKLE, a brand introduced to The Philippine market, brought in a slew of oral care products that address the balance between trend and effectiveness.
SPARKLE hails from Thailand and approaches oral care by elevating the basics. Their Ionic Mouthwash contains a unique technology. Every time you shake the bottle before using the product, the Ionic Technology activates, and negative ions are released. These ions help in removing stains and plaque without the sting.
This December, they came out with the SPARKLE Whitening Booster Gel. This innovative toothpaste topper can be used on top of any toothpaste and promises to whiten teeth in seven days.
I had the privilege of trying it out shortly before its release. At this point, I’ve tried a lot of whitening methods. Though I saw results with those, I found there are always some setbacks. Most of it involves how they make your gums and teeth feel sensitive. You also find that prolonged or consistent use isn’t going to help in the long run, especially if you have particular concerns over your teeth and gums.
The SPARKLE Whitening Booster Gel is very friendly in how it approaches whitening. All you do is squeeze it on top of your toothpaste and brush as you would normally. There’s no sensitivity, nor does it demand extra time on top of your routine.
Afterward, you will gradually see the whitening effect. It may be subtle for some, while it can be markedly different for others. It is great how it whitens according to your natural color, as teeth whiteness isn’t reliant on one factor. In other words, the SPARKLE Whitening Booster Gel delivers results without compromising the integrity of your teeth.
SPARKLE Whitening Booster Gel harnesses concentrated Micro White Technology that is enamel-safe and is free from hydrogen peroxide.
You may opt to stop using the gel after seven days, but I see how it’s better to keep it as a permanent inclusion to your brushing ritual. The beauty of SPARKLE comes from how it whitens gently, making it a preventative approach rather than a be-all dramatic product that delivers overnight results that can cause more harm than good.
Curious about further enhancing my oral hygiene routine, I asked Dr. Maria Bianca Beley, Cosmetic Dentist, Orthodontics Practioner, and TMJ Specialist and content creator of YouTube Channel, Smile with Dr. B.
What is one of the most common brushing mistakes people keep making?
That hard-bristled toothbrushes with heavy pressure of brushing can clean our teeth more because it is stiff and can remove dirt or plaque easier. It is not true. Hard-bristled toothbrushes are irritating to the gums, which will cause gum recession, inflammation, and abrasion of the neck part of your tooth. Having stiff bristles can’t reach all the surfaces of your teeth, especially the in-betweens and your gum lines. Heavy brushing can also shave your teeth down, causing sensitivity and more yellowish teeth as the dentin part (inner part of the tooth) is more exposed.
What is one teeth whitening myth that people should forget?
That teeth whitening is harmful to our natural teeth. It’s also is not true. That’s why we are still offering it in dental offices. There are also home whitening kits that are safe to use by the patient and whitening toothpaste, like SPARKLE, in the market.
It has its pros and cons, just like any other dental treatment, but teeth whitening (whether you get it at the dentist or do it at home) is a lot cheaper than veneers and crowns. If patients want a conservative approach to whitening their teeth, this procedure would be best for them.