One of the most popular cosmetic dental treatments is professional teeth whitening. For patients who have noticed some staining on their teeth caused by drinking beverages like coffee, wine, or soda, teeth whitening can help quickly brighten their smiles. But a common question we hear at our practice here in Swampscott, Massachusetts, is, “When should I whiten my teeth?” This question is dependent on a few factors. First and foremost, if you are planning to whiten your teeth before a big event like a graduation or wedding, you should consider booking the treatment with enough time to get your full results, but not so much time that you have lost those results. In this guide, we will cover teeth whitening timelines. For teeth whitening treatments in Swampscott, Massachusetts, give our team a call.
Types of Teeth Whitening & Their Timelines
There are four major categories for teeth whitening. First, there are products you can buy in a store, like toothpaste, that market themselves as helping brighten smiles. While these claims are partially true, they rarely whiten your teeth in a visible way. There are also whitening strips and other whitening products you can buy over the counter. These will lead to results you will notice, but are not nearly as effective as the treatments your dentist can provide. Dental teams can provide either take-home whitening kits that use stronger formulations and custom-fitted trays, or in-office whitening treatments. Both of these treatments lead to much more dramatic results and provide results that last longer. If you are working with a dentist, we’d recommend scheduling teeth whitening 2-3 weeks before an event. This will ensure that you have your best results. If you are using over-the-counter products, we’d recommend starting at least 6 weeks out since they take longer to work,
How Long Do Teeth Whitening Results Last?
Teeth whitening results also have different longevity based on the method. In-office whitening tends to last 1-3 years, while take-home kits last around 1 year, and over-the-counter products last around 4-6 months. That said, regardless of the whitening method, doing things like drinking wine, coffee, or soda, or smoking tobacco products will quickly stain your teeth. It is recommended to abstain from foods and beverages that cause stains between having your teeth whitened and any important events.
Scheduling Whitening During a Regular Exam
If you are not whitening your teeth for a specific upcoming event, but simply because you want to improve the appearance of your smile, you can always schedule teeth whitening as part of your routine visits to your dentist. If your dentist provides teeth whitening treatments or take-home kits, they can make recommendations and help you brighten your smile while simultaneously protecting your oral health.
Cosmetic Dentist in Swampscott, MA
Whiting Dental Arts provides cosmetic dental services to patients living in the Swampscott, Massachusetts area and the surrounding towns. For more information, contact our team to schedule an appointment.