Whether you have a big event marked on your calendar or you simply want to improve the appearance of your teeth, there are many ways you can do it depending on your timeline. I’ve listed the main options involved.
Everyone has different reasons for wanting their teeth whitened. If your wedding is up in a few weeks or months, you obviously want to look your best. Maybe you have a date in the next hours, and you need a quick solution to brighten your smile. Whatever the timeframe, there is always something you can do to improve your situation.
My situation was dire at the beginning of my teeth whitening journey. My love for the occasional cigarette had some negative effects on my teeth. Combine that with copious amounts of coffee and my teeth has quite the story to tell.
By the time I realized how extensive the damage was, regularly brushing my teeth couldn’t do much to minimize the staining and plaque on my teeth. After talking to my dentist, I needed more than simple remedies to whiten my teeth. It was time to pull the big guns – and they worked. I’ll let you in on the various procedures out there.
Different Options To Whiten Your Teeth
Whitening Trays
These are the big guns alright, and you can use them whenever you need them. Custom-made trays are especially great because they fit your teeth exactly as they curve and jut. Even better, they only hold the whitening gel against your teeth, making sure that the gel stays away from your gum and any tissue in your mouth.
I found my custom-made tray a little expensive, but it was worth it since I could use it for years. Your dentist provides you with the whitening gel which has about 10% carbamide peroxide for the bleaching.
Wear your trays for one or two hours every day until you get your desired effects. They may occur in days, or in weeks depending on your amount of staining.
Whitening Strips
Whitening strips also contain a bleaching agent. You line them on your teeth for the recommended time and duration to bleach your teeth. Remember to make sure they do not touch your gums; they may react and cause irritations.
Another reason I didn’t particularly like the whitening strips – they work best for individuals with straight teeth. Laying them on crooked teeth is hard.
- Dentist Whitening
You can also make an appointment with your dentist for teeth whitening sessions. After every three or four days, your dentist will apply a carbamide peroxide gel on your teeth that will stay on for up to an hour. The effects may not last as long as in whitening trays, but they can get your teeth whiter in less than a week.
Quick Fixes
If you don’t have weeks or months to wait for whiter teeth, there are a few tips you can implement. For example, lipstick with blue undertones can create some contrast to make your teeth look whiter.
If you have a few minutes to pass by your dentist, you can get a dental cleaning that removes the film that forms on your teeth. It is only temporary and natural though; the film grows right back in as little as a day.
Conclusion
You don’t have to wait till your teeth are deeply stained. Up your oral hygiene habits. Brush and floss regularly while your teeth are still bright and shiny. Whitening your teeth doesn’t mean they are back to health.