How Often to Whiten Teeth? Your Go-To Guide on Teeth Whitening
If you watch people in a romantic Hollywood comedy movie, read a gossip magazine, or scroll through social media looking at so-called “influencers” you’ll see that they generally have dazzlingly white teeth that look immaculate.
Were these people born with teeth this good? Of course not, it is all down to teeth whitening!
Our teeth can become stained and discoloured for numerous reasons, and while slightly discoloured teeth are considered strong and healthy, from an aesthetic perspective, they aren’t great. Having stained and discoloured teeth can leave people feeling self-conscious, which is why teeth whitening is so popular.
If carried out professionally, or if a professional kit is used, you can achieve amazing results, though results aren’t permanent. As a result of this, people do often ask how often to whiten teeth, which is the very question we’ll be addressing now.
Here’s a look at everything you need to know about teeth whitening.
Why do our teeth become discoloured and stained?
While it would be nice if we could all enjoy gleaming white teeth year-round, unfortunately our teeth can become stained and discoloured for a whole host of different reasons.
Drinking beverages such as tea and coffee can stain the teeth, as can eating foods high in sugar and with high acidic contents. Foods which also stain, such as beetroot, turmeric, and berries, can also cause the teeth to become stained and discoloured.
As well as through dietary choices, lifestyle choices and habits such as smoking, and not looking after them properly can also stain the teeth, leaving them a yellow/brown colour.
Different types of teeth whitening
If you’re thinking of getting your teeth whitened, you’ll need to speak to your dentist and see what they have to say.
There is a huge market for teeth whitening, and while some take-home kits are indeed effective, there are a lot of products out there that aren’t.
Typically, whitening comes down to in-office whitening and at home whitening kits. Here’s a look at the difference.
In-office whitening
In-office whitening, also known as in-chair whitening, is a whitening procedure carried out by a dentist in their practice.
After moulds are taken off the teeth, the dentist will apply a special gel containing hydrogen peroxide to the teeth and leave it to work its magic for the next 30 – 60 minutes or so. After the time has passed, the gel can be wiped or rinsed away.
In-office whiteners are stronger than take-home whitening kits, and last longer.
Take-home whitening kits
If in-office whitening is not suitable for you for whatever reason, your dentist may provide you with a take-home whitening kit.
Here, your dentist will take moulds of your teeth and provide you with custom trays for your upper and lower teeth, along with the whitening solution, strips, instructions, and various other accessories found in the kit.
The idea here is that you use the whitening kit at home to whiten your own teeth, rather than have it done in the chair by your dentist.
Take home kits aren’t as powerful as in-office whitening kits, and they don’t last quite as long, but they are still very effective, and they are more affordable too.
How often to whiten teeth?
If you are thinking of whitening your teeth, you’ll probably be wondering how often you should do so.
Well, times vary depending on your diet, lifestyle, and oral hygiene habits, but generally speaking, dentists recommend that you whiten your teeth every three months.
How can I make teeth whitening results last longer?
Whitening the teeth every three months may seem like a chore to some people, so you might be looking for ways of making the results last longer. If so, you’re in luck.
- A few popular methods of prolonging whitening results include:
- Drink plenty of water
- Practice good oral hygiene
- Visit your dentist regularly
- Drink with a straw
- Try not to eat or drink produce high in sugar
- Avoid food and drink that stain
Book your Nedlands Dental whitening treatment today
If you’re sick and tired of feeling self-conscious about your teeth and you want to whiten them, pick up the phone and contact us here at Nedlands Dental today.
We regularly provide the most competitive whitening offers in the industry today, with plans and whitening procedures to suit all budgets.
So, don’t delay, get in contact with Nedlands Dental today!
