Your smile is one of the first things people notice about you. It’s also one of the first things that can start to show signs of aging. Teeth whitening services can help you turn back the clock on your smile and give you the confidence you need to show your teeth off.
There are a few things you should keep in mind when you’re looking for teeth whitening services, though. First, not all teeth whitening services are created equal. There are a lot of products out there that claim to whiten your teeth, but not all of them actually deliver on that promise.
Second, even the best teeth whitening products and services can only do so much. If your teeth are deeply stained or discolored, you may not see the results you’re hoping for. In those cases, you may need to consider other options, such as veneers or bonding.
Finally, it’s important to remember that teeth whitening is not a one-time process. You’ll need to touch up your teeth every so often to maintain your results.
With those things in mind, let’s take a closer look at some of the different teeth whitening services available and how they can work for you.
Over-the-Counter Teeth Whitening Products
There are a lot of different teeth whitening products available over the counter. These products typically come in the form of gels, strips, or toothpaste.
Gels are applied with a small brush to your teeth and typically need to be used once or twice a day for two to four weeks. Strips are placed directly on your teeth and are usually worn for 30 minutes to an hour at a time. Toothpaste typically contains mild abrasives that help to remove surface stains from your teeth.
While over-the-counter teeth whitening products can be effective, they typically don’t produce the same results as professional teeth whitening.
Professional Teeth Whitening
Professional teeth whitening is usually done in a dentist’s office. The dentist will apply a bleaching gel to your teeth and then use a special light to activate the gel. This process usually takes about an hour.
Professional teeth whitening is more expensive than over-the-counter teeth whitening, but it’s also more effective. You can usually expect to see results after just one treatment.
At-Home Teeth Whitening Kits
If you don’t want to go to the dentist for teeth whitening, you can also get at-home teeth whitening kits. These kits usually come with a bleaching gel and a mouthguard-like tray that you wear over your teeth.
At-home teeth whitening kits typically need to be used for two to four weeks to see results. They’re not as effective as professional teeth whitening, but they’re a lot more affordable.
Touch-Up Treatments
Once you’ve achieved the level of whiteness you want, you’ll need to touch up your teeth every so often to maintain your results.
Over-the-counter teeth whitening products can be used for touch-ups, or you can go back to the dentist for professional teeth whitening. How often you need to touch up your teeth will depend on how quickly your teeth start to yellow or stain again.
If you smoke or drink coffee, tea, or red wine, you may need to touch up your teeth more often.
Choosing the Right Teeth Whitening Service for You
Now that you know more about teeth whitening services, it’s time to choose the right one for you. If you have deeply stained or discolored teeth, you may not see the results you want with over-the-counter teeth whitening products. In that case, professional teeth whitening may be your best option.
If you have mildly stained or discolored teeth, you may be able to get the results you want with an at-home teeth whitening kit. Just be sure to follow the instructions carefully to avoid damaging your teeth.
No matter which teeth whitening service you choose, you’ll need to touch up your teeth every so often to maintain your results.