This One Incredible Photo Shows How Effective Teeth Whitening Can Be

Stained and yellow teeth are a real bummer. They can affect your entire appearance and make you feel self-conscious about smiling.

Nobody should ever have to feel bad about showing their smile.

Fortunately, you can get amazing results from professional teeth whitening, just like in this photo!

Whitening treatments applied at a dentist’s office have higher concentrations of whitening agents than at-home whitening kits. That means you’ll get even more dazzling and long-lasting results.

Here’s what to know about professional teeth whitening…

Better results than over-the-counter whiteners

Although over-the-counter whitening products, like strips and gels, can provide results, professional teeth whitening delivers the best results possible. And it doesn’t take much time at all. In fact, you can get it done in a single 60 to 90 minute visit to a dentist.

Getting your teeth whitened professionally is also safer than using products at home. A dentist trained in teeth whitening knows how to protect your lips, gums, cheeks, and tongue from the whitening agents.

How teeth whitening works

Professional teeth whitening is a fairly simple dental procedure. The first step is for the dentist to examine the current shade of your teeth and show you about the shade you can expect when the procedure is complete.

Before applying any whitening agents, your teeth will then be cleaned to remove surface plaque. Gauze and dental retractors may be placed in your mouth to kto keep the whitening agent away from soft tissue areas like the cheeks, lips, and tongue.

eep the teeth dry and They will also place a barrier along your gums to protect them from exposure to the whitening agent.

Then, the whitening solution is applied and left on your teeth for 30 to 60 minutes. The dentist may use a curing light to activate the solution. Finally, the teeth are rinsed off, and the dentist may apply fluoride to reduce sensitivity after the treatment.

What to expect afterward

You may need to schedule additional dental visits until you reach the shade of teeth that you want. How many treatments you will need depends on how stained your teeth are to begin with.

For the first 24 hours after a teeth whitening treatment, you should avoid foods that are known to cause stains:

• Coffee
• Tea
• Tomato sauce
• Mustard
• Beets
• Candy
• Red wine

It’s also best to avoid smoking or chewing tobacco, which can tarnish the results. The longer you can avoid these, the more lasting your whitening results will be.

In addition to avoiding foods and products that could restain your teeth, it’s a good idea to avoid extremely hot or cold foods for the first day after the procedure. This is to avoid the pain associated with tooth sensitivity, which is common after bleaching.

Alternatives if professional teeth bleaching is not for you

If your previous dental work or poor gum health prevents you from receiving teeth bleaching treatments, there are some other things you can do:

• Get regular dental cleanings done at a dental office to remove plaque and stains.
• Get veneers or bonding to improve the appearance of teeth with restorative work.
• Use a whitening toothpaste.

Taking steps to whiten your teeth really can make a difference in how you look and feel. Talk to a dentist about your options.