With in-office tooth whitening, having a great smile can be a part of preparing for a special occasion. Your cosmetic dentist can remove mild to moderate staining in a matter of an hour so you can look your very best for a wedding, reunion, an important meeting, or any other important event.

Teeth Whitening in Only an Hour

In-office teeth whitening typically only takes about an hour. It’s performed right in the dentist’s chair, and you’ll see results immediately. So if you have a special event coming up, you can have your teeth whitened the same day and be confident that your smile will be ready to impress.

Your whitening appointment begins with your cosmetic dentist applying a protective gel over your gums, lips, and soft tissues. This is to protect them from the whitening agent, which can cause irritation if it comes into contact with your sensitive oral tissues. Then the dentist paints the whitening agent onto the front surfaces of your teeth. In some cases, the whitener is activated with a special light. It’s left on for about twenty minutes, then removed, after which the procedure is repeated two more times.

Keeping Your Teeth White After Whitening Treatment

Your teeth will appear noticeably whiter immediately after treatment, but you’ll see more extensive results after a few days. However, the immediate results are dramatic and can give you a big confidence boost for a special occasion.

After whitening, it’s important to brush and floss regularly to help prevent decay and to remove staining agents from your teeth. You should also avoid staining agents in general. Beverages like tea and coffee or substances like nicotine can cause your teeth to become discolored again, ruining the effects of your whitening procedure.

If you avoid staining agents and practice good oral hygiene, your whitening treatment is likely to last for several months. You’ll probably want to go in for touch-up treatments to maintain the look you desire, but these will not be as intensive as the initial whitening visit.

Contact our experienced cosmetic dental team at our office to learn more about achieving the smile you’ve always wanted.