Do you have an important event marked on your calendar? Whether it is a wedding, a vacation, a job interview, or even your school reunion, you likely want to make a good impression. You may even be thinking about whitening your teeth. But when should you start your treatment? This blog post provides the answer to the question, “How close to an event should I whiten in Plymouth?”
How Long Does Whitening Take?
The exact timeline for whitening depends on the method and products you use to remove stains from your teeth. Generally speaking, teeth bleaching methods fall into two categories:
- At-home whitening. This can either be with the use of a professional kit or an over-the-counter product. In most cases, optimum results are achieved after approximately two weeks.
- In-office whitening. In-office professional whitening treatments are quite fast. In fact, they can typically brighten teeth by several shades in just one hour or so.
Plan Ahead and Leave Some Wiggle Room
Here are a few important tips to help you schedule your whitening treatment for the right time.
- Plan ahead. Your dental office may have a full schedule, so calling well ahead of your event to book your whitening appointment is the smart course of action.
- Do not whiten immediately before your event. Many teeth whitening products temporarily increase dental sensitivity. Additionally, in-office whitening treatments usually require that patients stick to a “white diet” for 48 hours or so after their appointment. If you want to be able to enjoy the food at your event without restrictions, it would be best to complete your whitening treatment a couple of weeks beforehand.
- Leave some wiggle room. This tip is especially important if you plan to use an over-the-counter whitening option. They do not always offer the results that patients are hoping for. Testing out the treatment well before your event will let you know what to expect with it. If the product’s instructions allow, you can do a touch-up shortly before your special day. You may also have time to visit your dentist for help if you are not satisfied with the OTC product.
Maintain Your Results
Teeth naturally lose their brightness over time. Since you should complete your whitening treatment at least a few weeks prior to your event, you should take care to protect your results in the meantime. Here are a few tips to that end:
- Do not use any tobacco products
- Limit your consumption of red wine, coffee, and other dark beverages
- When you do indulge in dark beverages, sip them through a straw
- Cut back on highly pigmented foods, such as berries, tomato products, and red meat
- Adhere to a thorough oral hygiene routine
It takes a bit of forethought and planning to whiten your teeth before a special event. Hopefully, this blog post will help you schedule your treatment at the right time.
Meet the Practice
The talented dentists at Aveni Dental Professionals are proud to offer a range of general and cosmetic treatments, including both take-home and in-office whitening. To learn how our team can help you prepare your smile for your next big event, contact us at 508-217-7454.