Whatever you may have thought, teeth whitening isn’t a one-size-fits-all service. Different patients need varying amounts of treatment to see similar results. Given that fact, you may wonder how many teeth whitening sessions you’ll need for your stained smile. Your Temple dentist is only too happy to answer that question. So, read on to learn about the types of teeth whitening, how they affect whitening sessions, and other ways to brighten your grin.
Some Context: The Types of Teeth Whitening
Before anything else, you should first learn about the types of teeth whitening. Doing so helps you see why you’d need a certain number of sessions.
Most dentists today offer two types of teeth whitening: in-office treatment and take-home kits. For the first kind, a patient attends a single dental visit that takes an hour or two. The second type – the take-home kit – has you wear gel-infused trays for a pre-determined period. Both have their upsides and downsides but promise comparable results and safety.
Ultimately, the “best” type of teeth whitening is the one suited to you. You’ll benefit most by picking an option that meets your unique needs.
How Many Whitening Sessions Will You Need?
Patients can need varying numbers of teeth whitening sessions. As such, your own session number will depend on your personal situation.
Perhaps the biggest factor is which kind of teeth whitening you get. Often, patients who choose the in-office treatment only need one visit yearly (at most) to keep their smile bright. On the other hand, those who use an at-home kit will need 14 days to see results. Each day requires a one or two-hour “session” of wearing the gel-infused trays over your teeth.
All that said, note that whitening too frequently is dangerous for your oral health. Remember to consult your dentist before you start the process.
Are There Other Ways to Keep Smiles Bright?
If you want to keep teeth whitening sessions to a minimum, there are other ways to keep your smile bright. Just use the following tricks:
- Brush & Floss Daily – By brushing twice daily and flossing once daily, you can keep food debris and plaque from “setting in” your smile. That’ll reduce your risk of tooth stains.
- Avoid Stain Agents – Some foods and drinks have stain agents that tend to discolor teeth. Given that fact, limit your intake of coffee, red wine, tomato sauce, and similar items.
- Rinse After Meals – Remember to rinse when you finish eating to keep meals from staining your smile. You’ll remove leftover debris from foods and drinks that way.
To truly confirm how many teeth whitening sessions you’ll need, talk to your dental provider. They’ll settle the matter for you.
About the Author
Dr. Richard Fossum is an excellent dentist based in Temple, TX, having earned his DDS from the UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry. Years of work and continuing education have made him an expert in comprehensive dental care. To that extent, patients can trust Dr. Fossum to help their smiles thrive for a lifetime. Today, he practices at his self-titled clinic and is reachable on his website and by phone at (254)-831-4397.