If you want whiter teeth, you may be wondering when the best time to whiten your teeth is. Teeth that have been whitened can stay white for months and even years, so it’s important to know when the best time to improve your smile is so you can plan your new look.
So when is the best time to get professional teeth whitening? The following pointers will help you pick the best time so you can smile bright!
Before Big Events
Since professional teeth whitening takes effect immediately, there’s no waiting for a whiter smile. So if you have a big event coming up where you would love to have whiter teeth think weddings, graduations, and even vacations—you can have your teeth safely whitened before the big event.
However, since tooth sensitivity is a side effect of teeth whitening, with any effects occurring in the first few days, you may want to schedule your teeth whitening procedure about a week before the event so you can skip the sensitivity and feel great for the big day [1].
Prior to Restorative Dentistry Work
Restorative dentistry procedures typically involve dental crowns, veneers, dental bonding, or fillings. All these restorations do not respond to professional whitening, so if you want whiter teeth, getting a professional whitening done prior to any restorative work is best [2].
If you have restorative work done and then get your teeth whitened, keep in mind that the restorations will not be the same color as your teeth. This may not be a big deal for crowns or fillings in the back of your mouth, but for visible crowns, veneers, or dental bonding, you’ll want to consider teeth whitening first so the color will match your other teeth for a natural looking smile.
When You Notice Your Teeth Are Stained
The effects of teeth whitening can last up to and over a year, potentially much longer, when you properly take care of your teeth [3]. However, if you notice your teeth are stained or that you need a touch-up for whiter teeth, it may be time to schedule another whitening procedure.
Stains can be more obvious on whiter teeth, so when you notice your teeth have obvious stains, you can maintain your whitening by getting a touch-up with your dentist. This is the safest and most effective way to re-whiten teeth and to maintain that picture-perfect smile.
Ask Your Dentist About Teeth Whitening Today
Have you been considering whiter teeth? If so, consider that teeth whitening has immediate effects so you’ll be ready for a big event, but that restorative procedures should come first. And if you notice your teeth whitening needs some TLC, don’t wait to schedule an appointment with your dentist—in many cases, a teeth cleaning can remove visible stains!
Sources:
1. https://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6784469/
2. https://jada.ada.org/article/S0002-8177(14)60885-0/pdf
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4058574/
