It seems like most adults strive to have the whitest teeth possible – and for good reason. White teeth are beautiful! The brighter and more beautiful your teeth are, the more confidence you can have in your smile. It should come as no surprise then that teeth whitening is the most popular cosmetic dentistry service at Triangle Dentistry in Raleigh, NC.
Patients love to get their teeth whitened! They love how beautiful their teeth are when the treatments are finished, and they love smiling to show off their pearly beautiful teeth. Ultimately, teeth whitening services from the dentist are the secret to getting rid of yellow teeth.
What to Know About Teeth Whitening
Cosmetic dentists use high-tech in-chair whitening systems that whiten faster than DIY systems. Typically, professional teeth whitening systems use bleaching gel that’s applied to the teeth for a length of time before it’s suctioned off. The gel may be applied multiple times, with your dentist checking your teeth between applications to determine how much gel is enough. Some treatments also use an intense light focused on the teeth to enhance the process.
How Long Does Teeth Whitening Last?
Every patient wants to know how long their teeth whitening will last. The truth is that the length of time the whitening lasts depends on many factors. (Frustrating, right?)
The effects of teeth whitening can last as long as 2-3 years, or as little as 6 months, depending on your oral hygiene habits, how well you take care of your teeth, and other behaviors that could influence the color of your teeth. Knowing what factors can darken your teeth can help you take steps to prolong the effects of your tooth whitening experience.
- Smoking. Smoking can have a devastating impact on the appearance of your teeth. Smoking stains the teeth with nicotine and tar contained in the cigarettes. This can turn your teeth yellow or brown in a short period.
- Drinking dark liquids. Dark colored drinks like red wine, coffee and tea can stain your teeth. Swishing with water following consumption of these drinks can help wash away the darker liquids, which can help preserve the color of your teeth for longer.
- Eating dark, staining foods. Some staining foods can have a dramatic impact on the appearance of your teeth. These foods include berries, beets, tomato sauce and soy sauce.
Ultimately, brushing your teeth twice a day, and avoiding staining foods will help keep your teeth whiter for longer. Flossing is important too, as flossing can remove bacteria and foods that become trapped between your teeth and hold bacteria against your tooth enamel.
How Long Does it Take to Whiten Teeth?
In-office whitening services at Triangle Dentistry can take 1 to 2 hours to complete, depending on the condition of your teeth. That’s not much time when you consider how long your tooth whitening can last, and how dramatic the results are!
Does DIY Tooth Whitening Work?
You may have heard that at-home tooth whitening kits are available for sale in pharmacies. In addition, there are also toothpastes that focus on whitening your teeth! At-home whitening kits use less whitening agents than the whitening agents used by dentists. This means that whitening your teeth at home can take 2 to 3 weeks, and your teeth may not get as white. The whitening may also not last as long!
Whitening your teeth with special toothpaste can make an impact on the appearance of your teeth, but the effect may be minimal unless combined with other efforts, like a DIY tooth whitening kit. If you would like to use a DIY tooth whitening kit at your home, speak to your dentist to get recommendations.
Teeth Whitening in Raleigh
Do you want to maintain pearly white teeth? Are you frustrated with the home whitening kits, or want to get the most for your time and money? You could benefit from professional teeth whitening service. Triangle Dentistry is ready to help you whiten your teeth.
Love your smile once again with Triangle Dentistry’s tooth whitening services. Schedule an appointment today.
Triangle Dentistry, located in Raleigh, NC, provides a state-of-the-art facility that offers exceptional general dental and specialty services guided by empathy of a patient’s needs and desires. Services range from dental crowns to veneers and whitening procedures. For further information, questions, or to schedule an appointment, contact the office at (919) 847-6000