When Should You Get Your Teeth Whitened Before a Special Event?

A brighter smile can be its own reward, but in some cases, you may want to have teeth whitening performed specifically for an upcoming special event, such as a wedding or a graduation. This raises an important question: just how far in advance do you need to start the process in order to ensure that your smile is ready for the big day? Here’s what you need to know before you pursue professional teeth whitening.

How Does Teeth Whitening Work?

There are two main forms of teeth whitening: in-office whitening treatments and take-home whitening kits. An in-office treatment involves applying a special gel to the teeth that penetrates the enamel and breaks up the molecules that make up stains. On the other hand, take-home whitening kits contain powerful bleaching gel and customized whitening trays. The idea is to wear the trays filled with the gel for a set amount of time each day to gradually change the shade of your smile.

How Long Does Professional Teeth Whitening Take?

The timeline for professional teeth whitening depends on which method you use. An in-office whitening treatment can often dramatically brighten your smile in just one appointment that takes roughly an hour. Take-home whitening kits usually take longer to yield results, but you can typically expect to see a significant difference after just two weeks.

How Far in Advance Should You Have Teeth Whitening Performed?

To make sure that your smile looks its absolute best for your upcoming event, you’ll want to give yourself more than enough time for the whitening process. That way, you won’t have to worry about rushing to get the results you want. Additionally, it will give your mouth a chance to recover from any side effects of the whitening process, such as increased sensitivity.

In general, it’s a good idea to start the whitening process about two months before the event you want to prepare your smile for. Once you’ve achieved the desired shade for your teeth, it will be up to you to maintain the results. You can do so by brushing two times a day, flossing daily, using fluoride-based mouthwash, and staying away from foods and beverages that can potentially stain your enamel.

Teeth whitening can ultimately give you a smile that you’ll be more than proud to show off for the cameras during the big event. To get started on the whitening process and learn more about what the timeline will look like, schedule a consultation with your dentist today.

About the Author

Dr. Brandon Kearbey has more than 15 years of dental experience, and he finds working directly with his patients to help them achieve better smiles to be highly fulfilling. His Hillsboro practice, The Dentists at Orenco Station, offers teeth whitening along with other forms of cosmetic dentistry. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Kearbey, visit his website or call (503) 640-4262.