There’s nothing quite like having a bright, white smile. But many things in our lives can cause teeth to appear discolored or yellow. Thankfully, there are many different ways to whiten teeth. However, if you’re wondering just how long it will take to get whiter teeth, there is no one answer as treatment times vary between products. Let your dentist in Houston help.
Ways to Whiten Your Teeth
With so many different smile whitening options available, it can be hard to figure out which one will work the best for you. Different types of tooth whitening treatments have pros and cons, including how long it takes to see results.
- Professional Tooth Whitening in Houston
The fastest way to transform the color of your teeth is through a professional smile whitening treatment at your dentist’s office. Professional whitening systems can brighten teeth by several shades in as little as an hour.
- Over-The-Counter Whitening Strips and Trays
Whitening strips and trays that you can buy on your own may be cheaper than professional whitening, but they do take longer to work. If used as directed, many trays or strips can start to show results in a few days and can show full results in 10-12 days.
- UV Whitening
UV lights partnered with a whitening solution are a relatively new way to whiten teeth, but are comparable in cost and efficiency as whitening strips or trays. As with any whitening product, use as directed and you should start to see results in 10-14 days.
- Whitening Toothpaste
Sometimes considered more of a maintenance product, whitening toothpastes can brighten teeth in about two to six weeks and help keep additional staining from causing additional discoloration.
Alternatives to Tooth Whitening
It’s important to know that not all tooth discoloration can be reversed through tooth whitening treatments. This is one reason why you should talk to your dentist in Houston before starting any smile whitening treatment. If smile whitening isn’t right for you, don’t worry, various forms of cosmetic dentistry such as dental veneers can help.
If you’re looking into getting a whiter smile, start by talking to your dentist. They can help identify the type of tooth staining you have and what treatments will give you the results you’re looking for.
