If you have an upcoming special event where you’ll need to put your best face forward, you may be concerned about the appearance of your smile. As you age, your teeth can become discolored due to your diet, lifestyle habits, and even medications. This can leave you feeling embarrassed and insecure and make it difficult to enjoy important moments where you should be smiling freely.
Thankfully, your dentist has a solution. Professional teeth whitening can remove up to eight shades of discoloration and stains from your smile, allowing you to once again feel confident and secure when you open your mouth to eat, speak, and showcase your gorgeous grin.
Here’s how soon you should begin whitening your teeth to prepare for a special event, and why with professional teeth whitening, time is on your side!
OTC White Strips
White strips are one of the most affordable ways to whiten your teeth. They range in cost from $20 to $60 a box, but what many people don’t realize is that despite their affordable price tag, you may end up needing to purchase them many times before you see noticeable results. This is because they contain diluted ingredients and therefore take longer to achieve your smile goals. Worse yet, because you’re using them for a longer duration, your teeth will be exposed to powerful whitening chemicals for an extended period, increasing your risk of sensitivity.
Thus, to allow them to work before your big event, you should begin treatment about six months prior.
Whitening Gels
Whitening gels are a trendy new way to lighten your teeth. These products are usually stronger than white strips; however, they are also more expensive. Typically, they start at around $100 and take about two weeks to begin working. Unfortunately, much like white strips, the cost of gels still could add up. For best results, begin treatment about two months before your special day.
Professional Take-Home Whitening
Professional take-home whitening kits are available from your dentist for patients who would like to remove up to eight shades of discoloration from the comfort of their own home. Take home treatment lasts a bit longer than in-office whitening, but you should be able to achieve noticeable, lasting results in about two weeks. The best part of this treatment is that you get to keep the custom trays that come with it and can return to your dentist for gel refills for touch-ups as needed. Experts recommend starting treatment about four weeks prior to your special event.
Professional Whitening
For the fastest and most effective way to remove up to eight shades of stains from your teeth, professional whitening is the top choice. This in-office treatment takes about one hour but yields stunning results that with proper care can last for years. Because this treatment is so fast, you’ll only need to book it about two weeks before your big day, and you can expect side effects like sensitivity to diminish within two or three days of completion.
Maintaining Your Results
While you may think it’s best to wait until right before your event to begin whitening treatment, your dentist recommends building in a little time to allow any lingering tooth sensitivity to stop. Thankfully, as long as you avoid dark foods and take proper care of your teeth by regularly brushing and flossing, your results could last for years to come!
Remember, when it comes to whitening your teeth, professional whitening is the best way to get beautiful results, fast. Save your time and your money and speak to your dentist about professional teeth whitening today!
About Dr. Geller
Dr. Justin Geller is a dentist skilled in a wide range of treatments, including dramatic smile makeovers. If you are preparing for an upcoming event where your teeth need to look their best, Dr. Geller and the team at JMG Dentistry Family and Cosmetic Care are proud to offer a variety of cosmetic dentistry solutions to help.
To schedule a consultation for professional teeth whitening or any other cosmetic service, please visit our website or call us today at 248-926-4030.