It’s natural to want to look your best for momentous occasions, such as a graduation, a wedding, or a reunion. However, one of the first things people notice is the quality of your smile, and if yours looks dark or dirty, you might worry about being judged for your appearance.
Your dentist can provide teeth whitening services to brighten your grin and boost your confidence. But if you wait too long to schedule an appointment, you might not be able to achieve the desired results in time. Continue reading to learn more about when to get started!
How Does Take-Home Teeth Whitening Work?
Although many over-the-counter products claim to be able to lighten your enamel, they often contain diluted bleaches that provide inconsistent results or cause sensitivity. Fortunately, your provider can help you lift the shade of your smile more accurately with a professional-grade take-home kit that contains everything you need to achieve an ideal outcome from the comfort of your home.
These often include ultra-concentrated gels designed to mitigate potential discomfort and custom-fitted trays. But this treatment may take two visits to complete. Many dentists make impressions of your mouth during your initial appointment, but then must schedule a second visit to provide the tailor-made applicators.
How Long Does Take-Home Teeth Whitening Take?
This method often produces results within just a couple of weeks of using the product as directed, but it could take longer, depending on the severity of your condition and the types of stains present.
For example, more darkly tinted teeth are likelier to take longer to reach the desired hue than those that are slightly off-white. Also, extrinsic stains in your enamel due to consuming pigmented foods and drinks often respond better to bleach than intrinsic blemishes in the lower layer of dentin.
When Should I Start Treatment?
It’s natural to wonder when to start whitening your teeth if you hope to look your best on your big day. However, the answer can vary from person to person because everyone’s circumstances are unique. Your dentist can provide more detailed information and an estimated timeframe for how long they expect it to take you to see the perfectly bright grin you’ve been dreaming of.
Then, once you achieve your ideal shade, you can help preserve the results by avoiding darkly toned foods, such as coffee, tea, wine, berries, or tomatoes. You can also avoid additional discoloration by brushing and flossing twice daily to keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy.
If you’re unsure when to start whitening your teeth, you can learn more by scheduling a consultation with your dentist!
About the Practice
At Premier Dental Care, patients benefit from two dentists eager to help them build and maintain their happiest, healthiest smiles. Dr. Bakhtyari and Dr. Refahi share decades of combined experience and collaborate to offer a full menu of services, including take-home teeth whitening, at one convenient location. They take the time to learn about your unique circumstances, then customize treatment plans to meet your unique needs. You can request an appointment on the website or by calling (703) 860-8860.