How Long Does It Take To Whiten My Teeth?

Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dental procedure that lightens discoloration and stains from your teeth. There are many options when it comes to whitening your teeth.

Professional Teeth Whitening

In-office whitening is the fastest method of whitening teeth and can provide excellent results in about an hour. This type of whitening is done at the dentist’s office, which is equipped with the appropriate tools needed to ensure the safety of the gums and the enamel on your teeth during the procedure. A professional whitening treatment can be compared to an “overnight” type of result in that you will get a noticeable improvement in your smile in just one appointment!

Take-home Kit

Your dentist will also provide you with a take-home kit that will contain the whitening gel as well as trays for applying the gel to your teeth at home. The trays will be custom-made to fit your mouth exactly so that the whitening solution is applied evenly and is not uncomfortable to wear. You will receive instructions on how to apply the gel to your trays and how frequently to use them for the recommended length of time. With daily application of the gel over a two-week period, you will be able to achieve the brightness you desire.

DIY Teeth Whitening Kits

Professional teeth whitening can be very effective, but it is also more expensive than over-the-counter alternatives. This is the main reason that many people turn to DIY whitening kits instead. These kits are available in stores or online. They contain peroxide-based bleaching agents that remove surface stains from teeth. However, they only offer limited results. Over-the-counter whitening gels usually do not have a bleaching agent strong enough to remove deep-set stains. They only work on surface stains.

The whitening kits are applied similarly to a professional treatment. A syringe is filled with the gel and applied to the mouth. The trays come in a variety of shapes to accommodate different smiles, ensuring even coverage. Treatment time can take from several days to several weeks, depending on the product used and the severity of discoloration. 

Over-the-counter whitening products such as gels, strips, mouthwashes, and more can be purchased at drugstores and some grocery stores. While they are less expensive than a professional whitening treatment, their results are not as effective because the products are less concentrated than those used in dental offices. Additionally, many over-the-counter whitening solutions contain harsh ingredients that can be harmful to your teeth and gums as well as to your overall health. Because of this, it is best to consult your dentist before beginning any type of whitening treatment to ensure that you are a good candidate for the treatment and that you are using the right product. 

Conclusion

While professional whitening treatments such as Zoom are very expensive, the benefits far outweigh the cost in the long run because you will have a brighter smile for many years without having to spend hundreds of dollars a year on over-the-counter whitening products. Professional treatments are much more effective than drugstore brands because they are formulated to achieve maximum results in the shortest amount of time possible.

Contact Sugar Land Dental in Sugar Land, TX, for more specific instructions on taking care of your teeth. To book an appointment, call (281) 980-5100 or visit us at 101 Southwestern Blvd Suite 204, Sugar Land, TX 77478.