Many people are frustrated due to unsightly stains or discoloration in their smiles, and this can make it difficult for them to speak and smile confidently at work and in social situations. Thankfully, your dentist can administer a brief and effective teeth whitening treatment that delivers stunning results, but some patients with extensive or severe staining may require multiple treatments to achieve their ideal smile. Here’s a brief guide to how teeth whitening works and how many treatments may be necessary.
How Does Professional Teeth Whitening Work?
Your dentist can administer your teeth whitening treatment in one of two ways, those being:
In-office teeth whitening: At your dentist’s office, your oral health professional will place barriers in your mouth to protect your soft tissues before applying a few coats of whitening agent to your teeth and treating them with a UV light. This procedure can be completed in about an hour.
Take-home whitening kit: Your dentist will provide you with a whitening kit that can be completed in about two weeks. All you’ll need to do is apply the included whitening gel to your customized dental trays and wear them over your teeth for about an hour daily.
How Many Teeth Whitening Treatments Will I Need?
While some patients with minor stains may only need a single treatment to achieve significant results, some patients with more severe forms of discoloration may require several. You may need two to four teeth whitening treatments depending on whether your stains are extrinsic (located on the surface of the tooth) or intrinsic (located within the enamel) or if you have especially severe and stubborn discoloration.
How Can I Maintain My Results?
With excellent oral hygiene and smart eating decisions, you can preserve the results of your teeth whitening treatment for up to three years. A few tips for keeping your grin bright and shiny include:
- Brush, floss, and use antibacterial mouthwash daily
- Refrain from smoking
- Limit your consumption of dark foods and beverages like berries, coffee, tea, red wine, and barbeque sauce.
- Visit your dentist for touch-up teeth whitening treatments as needed.
The teeth whitening process begins with scheduling a consultation with your cosmetic dentist. During this meeting, they will carefully evaluate your mouth to determine an effective treatment plan to brighten your grin.
About the Author
Dr. Karen Littlefield Neil earned her dental degree at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and refines her skills with regular postgraduate coursework. She is a Fellow of the International Academy of Implant Dentistry and a past president of the Fort Worth District Dental Society. Her office in Fort Worth offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry. To schedule your teeth whitening consultation, contact her office online or dial (817) 738-3368.