Do you feel comfortable smiling and showing off your teeth to those around you? If you’re like many people, you might not.
Studies show that one-third of Americans feel self-conscious about their smile. Around half of people between the ages of 18-24 untagged themselves from pictures because of their smiles.
Luckily, there are a lot of easy steps to take to get whiter teeth. One of those is professional teeth whitening.
But is teeth whitening worth it? How do you ensure that it lasts as long as possible? Today, we’re going to answer all of those questions and more.
Read on to learn how you can whiten discolored teeth professionally and at home.
What Professional Teeth Whitening Entails
Professional teeth whitening is a straightforward process, but it’s important to get it done at a reputable office. The dentist performing the procedure needs to know how to do it in a way that prevents damage to your gums.
Dentists start by removing plaque from your teeth. They then apply a barrier to your gum line to protect it from damage.
After that, they then apply a bleaching solution to your teeth that contains ingredients like hydrogen peroxide. A laser then helps activate the solution. After around 30 minutes to an hour, they remove it.
If you don’t get your desired shade of white after a single visit, you might have to go back for a second trip sometime in the following weeks.
Is Teeth Whitening Worth It?
Most people would agree that professional teeth whitening is worth it. It’s one of the easiest ways to quickly see results. Even if you’ve had dull or yellow-looking teeth for years, the results will be apparent as soon as you walk out of the office.
While many OTC whitening products can be effective (we’ll touch on some of those in a moment), they’re not as effective as professional teeth whitening. Many of them are, ultimately, wastes of money.
Most insurance companies won’t help you pay for teeth whitening, and costs usually hover around several hundred dollars. However, most people agree that the results are priceless.
Ways to Get a Better Looking Smile at Home
If you’re thinking about getting your teeth whitened, remember that you can also take some steps to whiten them at home. This is also the key to ensuring that any cosmetic dentistry procedure you get lasts for as long as possible.
Let’s take a look at some of the simple steps you can take to maintain a beautiful white smile.
Brush Often
Of course, it should go without saying that you need to brush your teeth often—twice a day, to be specific. If it’s not already, make it a habit to brush your teeth as soon as you wake up and right before bed.
Dentists recommend brushing your teeth for at least two minutes each time. Make sure to pay attention to the different sections of your mouth—many people forget to brush at the back.
If you’re not using an electric toothbrush yet, it might be time to start. They do a much better job at cleaning and whitening your teeth than manual ones.
Floss Daily
While most people get the “you should be flossing” lecture each time they visit the dentist, few people actually get around to doing it. The truth is, however, that everyone does need to floss.
Flossing helps remove food particles and other bits of gunk from in between your teeth. Even with an electric toothbrush, there are going to be bits of food that get left behind.
When you first start flossing, you might find your gums to be a bit sensitive. This is natural, and by doing it more often, you’ll strengthen them and make them healthier.
Use the Right Toothpaste
Most modern toothpaste is effective and contains ingredients that are beneficial for your teeth. However, it’s worth putting some extra thought into the tube that you take home with you.
In general, you want to buy toothpaste that contains ingredients like hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. Both of these are active whitening ingredients that can help you see a noticeable difference.
If you’re not after drastic changes, toothpaste that contains these ingredients might be more than enough.
But remember that while whitening toothpaste can help remove surface stains, it won’t help with years worth of discoloration. To get rid of that, you’ll need to look into different whitening dental services.
Visit a Dentist Often
When’s the last time you’ve visited the dentist for a checkup and general cleaning? If you can’t remember, make a point to schedule an appointment as soon as possible.
Visiting the dentist often is the key to having a healthy and white smile. Besides giving your teeth the deep clean that they need, dentists can also spot problems early on. They can then take steps to treat them before they get worse.
Most dental experts recommend visiting a dentist every six months. If you find that excessive (or if it doesn’t fit into your budget), once a year should also be fine.
A Better-Looking Smile
Is teeth whitening worth it? We think that it is! It can help give you a better-looking smile, in turn boosting your self-esteem and confidence.
That being said, remember that professional teeth whitening isn’t permanent. To make it last as long as possible, make sure to follow the tips mentioned in the second half of this guide.
Are you interested in learning more about other cosmetic dentistry procedures? If so, make sure to check out the rest of our content for more great guides and tips.
