If you are unhappy with the appearance of your teeth, it's time to think about whitening. Dentists do a better job than over-the-counter preparations. Before committing to tooth whitening, you may want to know how long it will take. This blog will explain how long to expect the whitening process to take and give some tips to make the process easier.
Why Whiten Your Teeth?
Stained teeth can make you self-conscious and prevent you from thoroughly enjoying your life. Whiter teeth make your appearance youthful and bring about more smiles. It may be time for a change if you are hard on yourself about your teeth.
What Causes Tooth Stains?
All teeth stain over time, but people who regularly smoke, drink red wine, or drink a lot of coffee are most likely to notice a problem. To help prevent this problem, always brush your teeth well after smoking or drinking staining beverages.
The Tooth-Whitening Process
The whitening process begins with a consultation. Your dentist will explain their methods and let you know how long they expect treatment to take. Whitening may take as few as one visit or as many as 10 or more. It depends on the severity of your stains and the method used.
Each visit takes an hour to an hour and a half. The dentist will first put a retractor in your mouth to keep your lips away from the solution. They will cover your gums with a protective rubber coating.
Next, the dentist will apply a gel with a high concentration of hydrogen peroxide (25 to 40 percent) to your teeth. They will shine a heating lamp on your teeth for three sessions of 20 minutes and reapply the gel in between.
How Much Will My Teeth Whiten Per Session?
The powerful whitening solution means that your teeth may whiten by as many as three shades during each session. For some people, that may mean that their tooth whitening sessions are one and done.
However, if you have deeply stained teeth, expect the process to take more treatment sessions. Your dentist will always keep you up to date about how many sessions to expect.
How Can I Help the Process at Home?
Here are some tips for helping your dental tooth whitening succeed:
- Try to avoid sipping staining beverages throughout the day or night. Better yet, don't drink them at all. Brush your teeth immediately after finishing a staining beverage.
- Use sensitive toothpaste between sessions.
- Avoid acidic beverages and foods as well as staining beverages. Even juice and seltzer are acidic.
Brightening Your Smile and Your Life
When your dentist professionally whitens your teeth, it will boost your confidence. Discover more about professional tooth whitening and ask your dentist any questions you may have.
Contact Us Today
At Bella Dental, we can help you decide what to do about your stained teeth. If you are interested in tooth whitening or any dental service, contact us to make a convenient appointment.