Many patients are curious about how often they can whiten their teeth at home. In today's post, our Fort St. John dentists answer this question and explain how teeth whitening can help you have a brighter smile.
Why would I whiten my teeth?
If you smoke, take certain medications, or drink dark-coloured beverages like coffee, tea, or red wine, you may have noticed your teeth aren't as white as they used to be. Even if you take great care of your teeth, just the normal aging process can also cause your teeth to become less white over time and can impact the appearance of your smile.
A solid at-home oral hygiene routine, along with attending regular dental appointments, will be critical elements to keep in mind while maintaining your whiter smile.
How often should I whiten my teeth?
We recommend to patients that they avoid whitening their teeth too often, as over-whitening can cause sensitivity issues and make your teeth appear translucent. We advise whitening your teeth just once a year, whether professionally or at home.
This should keep sensitivity from becoming a problem while helping you maintain a white, natural-looking smile. Typically, the professional-grade whitening kits available from our dental office last about a year. This means you shouldn't require a touchup for that amount of time.
How can I keep my smile white?
After you whiten your teeth, your goal will be to avoid staining or discolouration in the future. If you smoke, now is the best time to quit. Cutting back on dark-coloured beverages such as cola or coffee and replacing them with water will also help.
You might want to use a whitening toothpaste to help remove discolouration and stains before they worsen. Discuss whitening with your dentist and always let them know when you last whitened your teeth before doing another treatment.
Teeth Whitening in Fort St. John
With at-home teeth whitening options from your dentist at Fort St. John Dental Clinic, you can effectively eliminate years of discolouration and stains from your teeth.
Our Fort St. John dentists will create custom whitening trays and provide you with all the tools and instructions you need for effective at-home whitening.