So, let’s say you’re going to attend a special event — perhaps a wedding or a job interview. Whatever the occasion, you think you should prepare for it with professional teeth whitening. The procedure would give you a gleaming smile that will impress whoever’s in attendance. However, you may wonder, “How close to an event should I whiten?” After all, it may be better to do it sooner or later.
If you aren’t sure, let your Waco dentist help you out. Here are some relevant factors to consider before treatment, how they affect your ideal start time, and tips for preserving your whitened smile.
Keep Your Situation in Mind
Before committing to a whitening service, map out the time and money you could give it. Depending on your resources, you may need to change when you start.
Time
Use a take-home whitening kit if you have time or want a flexible treatment plan. The latter would have you wear gel-infused bleaching trays for 30-60 minutes daily over two weeks. As a result, it’d give you greater control over your schedule and allow you to multitask.
On the other hand, in-office whitening is necessary if you need quick results. It would bleach your tooth enamel white in a single two-hour appointment.
Budget/Quality
Take-home whitening kits are more affordable since they take longer to work. In exchange, the results aren’t as high-quality as the alternatives.
Meanwhile, in-office whitening is great for those with the cash to spare. Besides involving less time, it often produces superior color to a take-home kit.
So, What’s the Best Time to Start?
Generally speaking, when to start whitening will depend on your treatment method.
Try beginning a month or two before your event when using a take-home whitener. That way, you’ll have time to confirm the results and let any side effects subside.
You should look into in-office whitening, though, at least two weeks before the occasion. You’ll see whiter teeth right after the process, but give yourself leeway to schedule the appointment. Plus, your dentist might have you return to remove more stubborn tooth stains.
Tips for Maintaining Your Whitened Smile
No matter your method, you’ll want to keep your whitened smile well after the special occurrence. To do so, follow the tips below:
- Practice Good Oral Hygiene: As you always should, brush your teeth twice daily, floss once daily, and rinse with mouthwash. Doing so will remove plaque, bacteria, and food debris that could yellow your smile.
- Avoid Teeth-Staining Foods & Drinks: Beverages such as coffee, juice, wine, and tea darken and stain teeth with acidity. Alternately, certain foods like tomatoes and berries have tannins that stain teeth with a food’s color.
It’s possible to dazzle fellow eventgoers with a friendly, bright smile. Make sure that happens by timing your whitening just right!