It’s normal to have some concerns regarding the possible treatments and their course of action, whether you regularly whiten your teeth or are simply thinking about getting your smile improved. Teeth whitening, one of the most popular cosmetic dentistry treatments, can instantly improve your smile and confidence.
This guide will help you determine how frequently you should have your teeth whitened. We’ll look at several factors to determine this, such as the science of teeth whitening and how it works, as well as what dentists believe to be best practices when offering these procedures.
How does teeth whitening work?
When determining how frequently to get teeth whitening, it’s important to research how these treatments work and what factors affect how long they last. Peroxide products are used in Teeth Whitening procedures to help remove tough stains from teeth. This involves the oxidation of the discoloured molecules in the whitening gel, breaking them down and leaving teeth at your preferred shade. Teeth whitening is frequently an effective treatment for surface stains, but other deep stains might call for different cosmetic dentistry techniques, like Cosmetic Bonding.
Your lifestyle and personal preferences will ultimately determine how frequently you need teeth whitening. If you want white teeth yet use staining chemicals as part of your daily routine, you might need additional maintenance. Less maintenance will probably be required if you don’t mind a somewhat more natural appearance and don’t drink black coffee every day.
The Signs That a Whitening Touch-Up Is Needed
There is no hard and fast rule about when you should get a whitening touch-up. This is because there are a variety of factors that might affect how long a treatment lasts, ranging from personal habits and lifestyles to the skills and expertise of the dentist who performed the procedure. Signs that you should get your teeth whitened can be carefully checked at home, and you are the ideal person to seek treatment based on your goals and how well your teeth match with them.
Visible stains
If you notice that the staining on your teeth has returned, this could be one of the first signs that you need to touch up your teeth whitening treatment.
Not as bright
The loss of the original radiant shine on your teeth is normal, however, it can happen over time and be hard to see. When they start to look visibly dull, you should probably look into getting a professional teeth whitening treatment. See a dentist again if you’ve noticed a decrease in your self-confidence regarding your smile!
Changes in Lifestyle
Your teeth may need whitening more frequently to maintain their youthful appearance if you have recently made changes to your routine or lifestyle. People want more frequent whitening procedures as a result of common lifestyle changes, including smoking, drinking staining beverages, and eating foods that discolour.
Special occasions or events
It’s normal to want to look your best when a milestone, special occasion, or event is approaching. Getting your teeth whitened in advance could enhance your smile and confidence on the big day!
Oral hygiene isn’t effective
You might need a touch-up if you maintain your consistent and thorough oral hygiene routine, and it doesn’t appear to be improving in darker areas.
Most dentists recommend waiting 6 to 12 months between professional whitening treatments. This is because certain treatments contain high concentrations of peroxide and whitening chemicals, which may damage teeth and affect their sensitivity over time. It’s a great idea to give your teeth a break between treatments; if done correctly, too many treatments are simply not required!
Comparing At-Home and Professional Kits
The long-term effectiveness of your results may be influenced by your choice between a DIY, at-home teeth whitening kit and a professional whitening treatment. For expert treatments, it’s usually advised to wait from 6 to 12 months for results. This may depend on your ability to keep up your effects, which may be enhanced by at-home touch-ups and whitening toothpastes or other treatments. Do enquire about the specific products your dentist would suggest using at home.
Professional teeth-whitening procedures that are used at different frequencies and a combination of in-office and at-home procedures are now offered by many dentists. Because excessive usage of whitening gel might result in weakened and sensitive teeth, always take caution and stick to your dentist’s application recommendations.
A combination of at-home and in-surgery whitening is frequently used in the most successful treatments. To make sure the treatment is improved, a set of whitening trays must be worn for a few weeks after a professional whitening treatment at the dentist.
Aftercare in Between Treatments
In between teeth-whitening treatments, there are several ways to take care of your teeth. By doing this properly, you can prolong the whitening effects, prevent stains, and lessen the frequency of your treatments.
The following is a list of some of the most well-recommended maintenance tips among cosmetic dentists:
- Get regular dental checkups. In addition to ensuring you are getting the best dental care possible in between, this can assist your dentist in determining when you would benefit from a touch-up.
- Stay hydrated! Drinking water lowers the risk of tooth discolouration and staining. This is due to the fact that it removes quite a lot of the germs that can result in stains from food consumption.
- Use the whitening maintenance products that your dentist has prescribed. At-home touch-up kits or whitening pens can be perfect in the meantime if you’ve seen a stain appearing but are waiting for a whitening touch-up.
- Avoid tobacco products, meals, and beverages that stain. These include things like coffee, red wine, and berries, which are all beneficial in moderation but can have a significant impact when consumed excessively. Because teeth are more porous and prone to staining in the 24 to 48 hours after your whitening treatment, you will probably also be advised not to use any staining treatments during this period.
- Your teeth will likely look whiter for longer if you maintain proper dental hygiene regularly.
Southside Dental Care offers expert teeth whitening services
We at Southside Dental Care offer efficient teeth-whitening treatments to enhance your smile. If you’re ready to revitalise the look of your teeth, contact our dental professionals right now. You can book online or by calling our reception at 07743 020777.
