At-home teeth whitening can be a good treatment option for a brighter smile. Here, our Surrey dentists talk about how often you should whiten your teeth at home and how you can make the effects of treatment last as long as possible.
Why would I whiten my teeth?
Over time, particularly if you smoke or drink dark-coloured beverages such as soda or red wine, you may notice your smile isn't as bright as it used to be. Even if you practice good oral hygiene, you may find that your teeth have accumulated stains or dulled over the years. Professional teeth whitening can be a good option to help to lighten and restore your smile.
Keep in mind, that even with professional whitening, a good at-home dental care routine, along with attending regular oral hygiene appointments will be essential to helping you maintain your smile.
How often should I whiten my teeth?
We recommend to patients that they avoid whitening their teeth too often, as over-whitening can cause sensitivity issues and make your teeth appear translucent. We advise whitening your teeth just once a year, whether professionally or at home.
This should keep sensitivity from becoming a problem while helping you maintain a white, natural-looking smile. Typically, the professional-grade whitening kits available from our dental office last about a year. This means you shouldn't require a touchup for that amount of time.
How can I keep my smile white?
After you whiten your teeth, your goal will be to avoid staining or discolouration in the future. If you smoke, now is the best time to quit. You may also consider cutting back on dark-coloured beverages such as cola or coffee to help maintain your smile. There are good options for whitening toothpaste as well. Talk to your dentist about which type they recommend.
Teeth Whitening in Surrey
With at-home teeth whitening options from your dentist at Clover Hills Dental, you can effectively eliminate years of discolouration and stains from your teeth. If you and your dentist decide at-home teeth whitening is a good choice for your smile, you will have two visits to our office to get the process started. At our Surrey office we also offer in-office Zoom! whitening treatments.
At the first appointment, your dentist will take molds of your teeth – these are for your custom whitening trays. At the second appointment, you will try the trays on to ensure they fit correctly and your dentist will provide you with the tools and instructions you need to whiten your teeth from the comfort of your home.
When you discuss whitening with your dentist and always let them know when you last whitened your teeth before doing another treatment.