Imagine you are getting ready for a big event, and suddenly you catch a glimpse of yourself in the mirror. You smile, and realize that there is one critical detail that you aren’t happy with – your teeth. They might be dull, yellow, or stained. Whatever the issue is, it can leave you feeling less than attractive.
This situation has happened to most of us at one point or another. Surveys and studies over the past few years have shown that the way your smile looks can have a huge impact on your life. A great smile and nice teeth are the human equivalent of a peacock’s tail, they show how healthy you, are which is desirable in a potential mate. What message are your teeth sending to the world?
It’s A Matter of Time
If you aren’t happy with your teeth, there are lots of whitening options to help you get a dazzling smile. The problem is, a lot of these solutions take days or even weeks to make a noticeable impact. For example, whitening toothpastes can take up to weeks to work as the Mayo Clinic shows, “When used twice a day, whitening toothpaste can take from two to six weeks to make teeth appear whiter.”[1] If you don’t have weeks to wait to see results (like noticing your teeth are yellow the day before a friend’s wedding) then there are a few ways you can whiten your teeth more quickly.
Consult a Professional
The fastest way to get whiter teeth is to go to a certified dentist for a professional whitening treatment. The UK’s NHS blog helps to clarify just what these treatments are and how fast they can work, “Another type of teeth whitening system that a dentist can provide is called laser whitening, which is also known as power whitening. This is where a bleaching product is painted onto your teeth and then a light or laser is shone on them to activate the whitening. Laser whitening takes about an hour.” One hour to whiter teeth? That’s a huge improvement over days or weeks.
While the professional route is faster, you are going to need to be prepared to pay more than you would for slower acting methods. Obviously, a professional treatment is going to cost more than a tube of toothpaste, and each dental clinic charges a different amount. Each person’s teeth will stay white for varying amounts of time depending on their lifestyle as the Oral Health Foundation’s blog sheds light on, “The effects of whitening are thought to last up to three years. However, this will vary from person to person. The effect is less likely to last as long if you smoke, or eat or drink products that can stain your teeth. Ask your dental team for their opinion before you start the treatment.” If you’re going to invest in professional whitening, take care of your teeth or you’ll just end up staining them again.
Get Powerful At-Home Whitening
If a professional treatment seems a bit too intense for you (or if don’t have the funds), then there are some amazing at-home options that can still work pretty quickly. These kits work much faster than other methods, but just a bit more slowly than the laser whitening at the dentist.
If you don’t want to order a kit through your dentist, there are also some fast-acting white strips that can give you impressive results pretty quickly. Plus, they’re convenient and you can whiten on your own time. Most white strips cost less than $100 a box, so they can be an awesome option for your at home whitening mission.
Take Care of Your Teeth
Keeping your teeth white has a lot to do with your lifestyle. No matter how much time and money you spend on getting whiter teeth, the most important way to maintain them is to keep up a solid dental care routine. You can boost the whitening power by avoiding foods and drinks that stain your teeth and can cause your whitening results to dull faster. Check with your dentist about which option they think is best, and you could start seeing whiter teeth in just an hour!
