Can You Whiten Teeth At Home

Home whitening kits have been on the market for years and are a great way to brighten your smile. They have the added benefit of fitting your schedule since you can wear them while you are doing other things. Teeth whitening can be a nice way to brighten your smile to prepare for a restorative procedure such as veneers or crowns!

When you whiten in-office, you have to sit in the chair for up to two hours but it has the advantage of quick results. Whitening at home takes a bit longer but for those who would rather take the gradual approach, at-home whitening may be the better choice. Most dental offices offer a professional whitening treatment in-office but also sell home whitening kits for you to use at your leisure.

If you prefer to whiten at home, your Dentist can make custom trays and provide you with whitening gel. You will put the gel in your trays and wear them for about an hour each day until desired results are achieved.

Maintaining Your Whitening Treatment

After you whiten, you can maintain your bright, new smile with a couple of changes to your daily oral care routine. Adding oral care products like toothpaste and mouthwash containing baking soda are a great way to remove stains on a daily basis.

Professional Cleanings

Having your teeth professionally cleaned by your dental hygienist can drastically brighten your smile! Your hygienist has the tools to remove plaque buildup and surface staining so having your teeth professionally cleaned at least twice a year is not only beneficial to your oral and overall health, it can actually make your smile brighter!

Oral Hygiene

Proper oral hygiene is the easiest way to keep your smile bright and healthy! Flossing and brushing removes plaque buildup and staining from food and beverages. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush at least twice a day and floss at least once a day to keep staining at bay.

Diet and Tobacco Use

There are a number of foods and beverages that cause staining. Coffee and red wine often come to mind but foods like blueberries and blackberries are also quick to stain. It can be difficult to avoid some of these regularly but if you choose to whiten, it is important to avoid anything that can stain a white T-shirt for 48 to 72 hours immediately after whitening to ensure you get the best results possible.

In addition to some foods and beverages, cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products are very damaging to your health and teeth. Smokeless tobacco is especially hard on your teeth and gums since it sits directly on them.

Not everyone is a candidate for at-home whitening so if you are considering whitening at home, speak with your Dentist to make sure that the whitening system you choose will work for you. You may also consider having your teeth professionally cleaned right before you begin whitening to achieve maximum results.

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