Everyone's smile is unique, although it could be suggested that some are more unique than others. Many people opt to receive orthodontic treatment to straighten crooked teeth, whether in their teenage years or as an adult. But perhaps you decided not to. It's entirely a personal choice, and it doesn't make your smile any less beautiful. It can, however, make it more difficult to whiten your teeth. But why is this the case? And how can you get wonderfully white teeth when they might be a little crooked?

Over the Counter Whitening Systems

The first thing to consider is that most over the counter whitening systems are unlikely to achieve the desired results if you have crooked teeth. There's a logical explanation for this. The whitening solution is added to the applicator tray, which is then worn like a mouthguard for the prescribed amount of time. This applicator tray is designed to evenly distribute the whitening solution across the surface of your teeth, but it's not all that effective with crooked teeth. Due to the alignment of your teeth, the tray simply might not come into contact with enough of the surface of your teeth to achieve a consistent result. Your teeth might become whiter in places, but it has the potential to look patchy.

Custom Made Assistance

You can still use these over the counter whitening solutions, but you will need a custom made applicator tray. Your dentist can take a mold of your teeth and create such a tray for you without too much difficulty. This means that the whitening solution is then evenly applied all over your teeth to achieve an even result. Don't simply try to use a sports mouthguard that can be shaped using hot water. The material used might not react well to the active ingredients in the whitening solution, and you certainly don't want that kind of chemical reaction in your mouth!

Whitening Toothpaste

And of course, you can still easily just use a whitening toothpaste. The level of effectiveness of such a toothpaste will remain the same regardless of the alignment of your teeth. Remember that these types of toothpaste can be abrasive (since they essentially buff surface stains from your teeth), so use with caution. You don't want to strip away your dental enamel by being too enthusiastic. Ask your dentist about the best type of whitening toothpaste for your particular teeth.

Whitening your teeth can be a little more complex when they're crooked, but it's easy enough to find a solution.