You want to look nice for weddings, anniversaries, and job interviews, right? It wouldn’t make for a great impression if you arrived looking unkempt. That especially applies to your teeth. Such events often prompt people to smile, but showing off a yellowy-brown one could lead to negative outcomes. However, now you might be asking yourself: How close to an event should I whiten my teeth?
It just so happens that your local dentist has the answer. Read below to learn how and when to whiten your smile for a positively noteworthy experience!
Know Your Time & Budget
Before anything else, map out the money and time you can give to the whitening process. Depending on your resources, you may need to change your timeline.
Be aware that more costly solutions will give you desired looks faster. For example, in-office whitening by a dentist might cost a few hundred dollars and deliver significant color change quickly. In contrast, over-the-counter products could cost between $20 to $100 but take days or weeks to show results.
When to Start the Teeth Whitening Process
When you start to whiten your teeth depends on whether you pursue at-home options or professional whitening.
Some dentists and stores offer take-home whitening for prospective patients. If you choose this route, you’ll need a few weeks to see results. At-home bleaching trays need to be worn with whitening solution for an hour a day for nearly a month.
Meanwhile, professional whitening delivers long-lasting results quickly. Your dentist will give you a more pleasing smile by applying bleach to your teeth for an hour at most. Compared to at-home versions that last less than a year, professional whitening can last up to 3 years with good oral care.
Tips for Maintaining Your Whitened Smile
Regardless of which whitening method you choose, find ways to improve your newly white smile for your big event and even afterward. These might include:
- Give Yourself a Two-Month Margin: Just because whitening can be done in a few days or weeks doesn’t mean you should only allow that much time. Give yourself a wider margin so you’ll have time to see positive results appear and adverse side effects subside.
- Practice Good Oral Hygiene: Always remember to brush your teeth twice daily. Furthermore, floss and rinse your mouth at least once daily.
- Limit Teeth-Staining Refreshments: Drinks like coffee, juice, wine, and tea darken and stain teeth due to their acidic traits. Similarly, foods like tomatoes and berries have organic compounds called tannins that stain teeth with a food’s color.
You have the power to stun eventgoers with your radiant smile. Therefore, invest in whitening so your teeth will shine at the right time!
About the Practice
The Family Dental Center of East Texas is based in Center, TX. Led by Drs. Youngblood and Martinez, the practice devotes itself to convenient, comprehensive, and high-quality dental care. Whether it’s checkups, smile repairs, or even emergency dentistry, their team is ready for any dental scenario. Even better, they offer flexible financing to make their excellent treatments more affordable. For more information or to schedule an appointment, the practice’s team can be reached at their website or by phone at (936)-427-9070.