New Haven Dental Group is a 42 North Dental Care, PLLC practice and is owned and operated by dentists Dr. Samuel Shames, DDM. and Dr. Ronald Weissman, DDM. Gentle Dental is supported by 42 North Dental, LLC, a dental support organization that provides non-clinical administrative and business support services to the practice. 42 North Dental, LLC does not own or operate the dental practice or employ dentists to provide dental services. Find more information about 42 North Dental, LLC and the dental practices it supports at 42northdental.com.
Do you have an important event coming up in the near future? Whether it is a vacation, a wedding, a job interview, or even your high school reunion, you no doubt want to make a good impression. You may even be thinking about whitening your teeth to give you an added boost of confidence. But when should you start your treatment? This blog post discusses the answer to the question, “How close to an event should I whiten in New Haven?”
How Long Does Whitening Take?
The treatment timeline for teeth whitening depends on the specific product and method you choose to remove stains from your enamel. Generally speaking, whitening options fall into one of two categories:
- At-home whitening. This can be done with an over-the-counter kit or a professional kit from your cosmetic dentist. In most cases, optimum results can be achieved after two weeks, though you may begin to notice a difference in your smile well before that.
- In-office whitening. Getting your teeth whitened in your dentist’s office usually takes just one hour or so. In that short period of time, most patients’ teeth can be brightened by several shades.
Plan Ahead and Leave Some Wiggle Room
Here are a few practical tips to help you schedule your whitening treatment at the right time:
- Plan ahead. Dental offices can be quite busy at times, so calling your local practice well ahead of your event to secure an appointment is a smart move.
- Do not whiten immediately before the event. It is common for teeth whitening formulas to cause a temporary increase in dental sensitivity. In-office whitening treatments even require that you stick to a “white diet” for 48 hours or so after treatment. If you want to be able to enjoy the food at your event without restrictions, try to complete your whitening at least a few weeks beforehand.
- Leave room for experimentation. This tip is particularly important if you want to try an over-the-counter whitening product. Trying it out several months ahead of time can let you know what type of results to expect. If it does not live up to your expectations, you will still have plenty of time to visit your dentist to explore other whitening options.
Maintain Your Results
Here are some simple things you can do to reduce new staining on your teeth before your event and well into the future:
- Avoid tobacco products
- Limit your intake of coffee, red wine, and other dark beverages
- Cut back on highly pigmented foods, like berries, red meat, and tomato products.
- Stick to a thorough oral hygiene routine
Properly timing your whitening treatment can help you look and feel your best at your upcoming event! Hopefully, the above tips will prove useful as you prepare your smile to shine.
Meet the Practice
New Haven Dental Group is proud to be home to a number of talented dentists and specialists. Teeth whitening services are one of several cosmetic treatments that we offer. To learn how our team can help you to look your best, contact us at 203-712-4068.