Whether you’re staying home this holiday season, visiting family, or taking a long-awaited vacation, there is one thing you can definitely count on…there will be a lot of pictures. People document more of their lives than ever these days thanks to smartphones and social media. With this in mind, one of the best gifts you can give yourself is a pristinely bright smile that you’re always confident to show off, and this is relatively easy thanks to professional teeth whitening. Keep reading to get a quick holiday guide about all of your options.

The Basics of Teeth Whitening

Most teeth whitening methods work by applying a bleaching gel to the enamel, and this breaks up the accumulated stains caused by things like food, drink, tobacco use, and age. While there are many products you can just buy at the store, they are typically very weak compared to the treatment you can get from a dentist. Professional-grade gel is several times stronger than your typical whitening strips or toothpaste, plus the dentist will be able to apply it in such a way that it’s guaranteed to lighten as much as possible.

Your Options

Most dental offices offer two types of teeth whitening: in-office and take-home. The in-office option is much faster, able to increase the brightness of your smile by six to eight shades in as little as an hour.

Or, your dentist can provide you with custom-made trays along with their bleaching gel to use at home. This gives you more flexibility and enables you to whiten on your own time. You simply wear the trays with the gel every day based on your dentist’s instructions, and you’ll start to see a difference right away. Typically, the full results take about two weeks to achieve, but the great thing about take-home whitening is that as soon as you love how your smile looks, you can stop.

Beyond Whitening

If one or more of your teeth are discolored because of an issue like a cavity or infection, then whitening is not a good idea. The underlying issue needs to be addressed first, as bleaching a distressed tooth can potentially make things worse. Also, if you have intrinsic staining (as in the stains are below the enamel), then veneers, metal-free crowns, or cosmetic bonding might be a better choice. These can be used to change the shape of a tooth, strengthen it, and improve its color at the same time.

Teeth whitening itself is a very easy process, and after one treatment, you can easily enjoy the benefits for several months to a few years just by brushing, flossing, and keeping up with your regular dental checkups. While you’re getting gifts for everyone else this season, don’t forget yourself—you deserve to look and feel your best heading into the new year!

About the Practice

Dr. Krysten Jackson and Dr. Eric Parsons are cosmetic dentists who graduated from the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry. Dr. Jackson completed the Advanced Education in General Dentistry program there, which is considered to be one of the most elite residencies in the country. Dr. Parsons regularly trains to use the latest technology so he can always offer the most advanced methods of treatment. They have used both in-office and take-home teeth whitening to help countless patients, and they are eager to do the same for you! To schedule an appointment at El Reno Family Dentistry, simply click here.