Your bright smile can become a key part of making a good first impression. This is why, like you, many people are opting for teeth-whitening to achieve a pearly white smile. However, you might wonder how often you should get this procedure done to maintain a look.
While a dazzling appearance is important, too much whitening can end up harming your teeth and gums. Go through this guide to explore the best practices for whitening frequency and tips to maintain the result.
What Are The Different Teeth Whitening Methods?
The various choices in this dental procedure can overwhelm you. Knowing about their steps and effects can help you make informed decisions. Here are the types;
- You can get professional teeth whitening done in dental clinics. The dentist will use strong bleaching agents and special lights to give you fast but effective results.
- If you are looking for fast solutions, then at-home strips, gels, and trays can help you remove surface stains for a brighter look.
- Whitening toothpastes can help you maintain the effects of your dental procedure as they contain mild abrasives and a small amount of bleaching agents.
- You can also opt for DIY options such as baking soda, activated charcoal, etc. However use them at your own risk as their overuse might damage your enamel.
How Often Should You Whiten Your Teeth?
The ideal frequency of your whitening largely depends on the method you use:
- You can get professional treatments done every 6-12 months to maintain your shiny smile.
- Most at-home teeth whitening kits are safe to use every 3-6 months. Avoid back-to-back treatments to prevent sensitivity and enamel damage.
- Whitening toothpastes are crafted for your daily or weekly use. Follow the directions given on the packaging label.
- If you are using natural methods, limit them to once a week or less, as they have a high risk of damaging your teeth.
Signs Indicating Excessive Whitening
Overdoing teeth-whitening can cause dental problems. Watch out for these warning signs:
- The bleaching agents might increase your tooth’s sensitivity to hot, cold, and sweet food items.
- Your gum might become red and inflamed, causing discomfort and even pain.
- Weekend enamel might make you prone to tooth decay and even tooth loss in extreme cases.
- Overuse might further discolor your teeth, causing splotchy or unnatural results.
How To Prolong Your Whitening Results?
Here are some ways to maintain the results of your teeth whitening procedure:
- Brush twice daily and floss regularly to remove food debris and deposits on your teeth.
- Try to minimize the intake of coffee, red wine, etc. You can consume them with a straw to reduce contact with teeth.
- Go for professional cleanings every few months to remove plaque and stains from areas where your brush can’t reach.
- Choose fluoride toothpastes as they are designed to whiten your teeth whole, protecting the enamel from damage.
A beautiful smile can significantly boost your confidence, but balance is always the key. Overdoing teeth whitening will only harm your gums and enamel in the long run. Follow professional advice from dentists to maintain the radiance of your smile.
Looking for some dental guidance? Schedule a consultation today!