How Long Does It Take To Whiten Teeth?
Professional teeth whitening dramatically improves your smile in a short time. In-office whitening can take as little as one hour, and the number of visits you need depends on the starting shade of your teeth. At-home professional teeth whitening is more gradual but equally effective, taking a few weeks to a few months to show impressive results.
Teeth Whitening Methods
In-Office Professional Whitening
This method is fastest and is a great way to prepare for a special event. We recommend using take-home whitening to maintain your bright smile.
At-Home Professional Whitening
The dentist provides a less potent version of the whitening gel used in the office. Patients put the gel in a custom-made tray and wear it for the prescribed time. Since you can safely repeat take-home whitening under your dentist’s supervision, you can easily maintain your smile. You can control the whitening level you achieve. Since you only need one set of custom-fitted trays, take-home whitening is cost-effective.
Over-The-Counter Whitening
These methods vary from strips and toothpaste available at every drugstore to products too strong to be used without a dentist's care. The products available at your local store are safe but may take many months to show good results.
How In-Office Whitening Works
Your dentist protects your gums against the powerful whitening solution containing carbamide peroxide, preventing damage and discomfort. Carbamide peroxide penetrates the enamel and breaks up stains through a process called oxidation.
They carefully apply the gel and let it activate for about 15 minutes. They rinse the gel away and repeat the process two to three times to achieve the desired result.
After whitening, you may experience some tooth sensitivity. This sensation is normal and may result from the exposure of microtubules in your teeth. The fluoride in your toothpaste will strengthen your teeth, and the sensitivity should abate.
In the first few days after whitening, your teeth will be increasingly vulnerable to stains. For 48 hours after treatment, avoid highly pigmented food and beverages, including coffee.
How At-Home Professional Whitening Works
At-home professional whitening is convenient and safe. The dentist will create custom trays for you to wear at home. You will put whitening gel in the trays and wear them as directed daily. The results take more time to develop, but you will soon enjoy a bright, healthy-looking smile.
Benefits of Professional Teeth Whitening
If you are considering whitening your teeth but haven't decided which method to use, reviewing the benefits of professional whitening can help you.
Improves Self-Confidence
Many patients with stained and discolored teeth feel that they need to hide their smiles. Whitening your teeth can make you want to smile, improve confidence, and boost first impressions.
Reverses Appearance of Aging
Stained teeth are frequently a consequence of aging. As patients age, their tooth enamel wears away, exposing the naturally yellow dentin underneath. Teeth whitening can give you a rejuvenated, youthful smile.
Lasting Results
Professional teeth whitening lasts significantly longer than over-the-counter and alternative methods. After your initial treatments, you may need a periodic touch-up session. Avoiding darkly pigmented foods can help.
Safer Than Alternative Methods
If you have searched for teeth whitening products online, you may have found many unregulated products. Frequently, whitening products purchased online are too strong to use without supervision. Alternatively, they are so diluted that they do not work at all. Other methods, like activated charcoal, can harm your enamel.
Frequently Asked Questions About Teeth Whitening
Why are my teeth yellow when I brush them every day?
While oral hygiene is crucial, it can't whiten teeth alone. Teeth naturally turn yellow with age as the dentin layer is exposed. Darkly pigmented foods and beverages like coffee, red wine, and cola can also make teeth appear yellow. Smoking is one of the leading causes of yellow teeth.
Professional teeth whitening produces beautiful results, boosting self-confidence and taking years off your smile.
Is teeth whitening bad for your teeth?
Teeth whitening is safe when supervised by a dental professional. Over-the-counter solutions may be too weak or too strong. Using strong abrasives like activated charcoal can damage enamel and make teeth more yellow with repeated use.
Call Harmony Dental Center of Leesburg
If you need a whiter smile, we are ready to help. Please call our Leesburg, VA, office at 703-779-7779 to schedule a consultation. We would gladly share how professional teeth whitening can improve your life.