Teeth Whitening: Advice from Boise Dentists

Everyone wants a bright and healthy smile, but it can be difficult to find tips for whitening your teeth both in the clinic and at home. Look at the tips and information below to understand how you can give yourself a bright smile.

Teeth Whitening Products

When you want whiter teeth Summit Dental in Boise offers in-office whitening and custom take-home whitening trays, as well as professional strength Crest White Strips. The custom take-home trays are our most popular teeth whitening product as they are easy to use and generally the most cost effective way to whiten teeth.

If the discoloration of your teeth is severe or unresponsive to whitening procedures, all-porcelain veneers are another popular choice. These will not only whiten teeth, but can also improve the shape and contour of your teeth for a restored smile.

When to Whiten

It generally takes three to four weeks to achieve the desired level of whiteness with the take-home whitening trays. After this initial time, you only need to touch up your teeth by using the whitening trays once or twice a month, sometimes less.

If you are looking to whiten your teeth for a special occasion, you should begin the whitening process about three to four weeks before the event, using the trays three or four times per week. If you plan on using the trays less than that every week, you may need to begin sooner.

Other Tips and Tricks

When beginning the whitening process, you should avoid or keep in moderation the foods and drinks that can stain teeth. This includes wine, coffee, darker teas, chewing tobacco, and smoking. Don’t think you can let go of your morning coffee? Weaker coffee will stain less, especially if it has milk in it. Most importantly, however, is brushing your teeth or at least swishing with water after every meal, and especially after you use the substances mentioned above that can stain your teeth.

Of course, good dental hygiene will keep your teeth looking their best. Regularly brush your teeth twice a day and floss once a day, and remember to schedule cleaning appointments with the Boise dentists here at Summit Dental every six months. With good dental hygiene and regular dentist appointments, you can help minimize or even prevent stain and tarter build up on your teeth for your brightest smile.

Have more questions on how to whiten your teeth? Leave a comment or stop by our Boise office!