When Is In Office Teeth Whitening Recommended?

General dentists typically recommend professional teeth whitening once per year for patients who are cavity-free and in good oral health overall. Understanding who makes an ideal candidate for professional, in-office teeth whitening can help you determine if you should schedule a consultation visit for the procedure. 

When to consider professional teeth whitening

Professional teeth whitening is a cosmetic procedure that brightens your smile and removes stains. This review offers insights into when annual teeth whitening is recommended, how professional teeth whitening can remove mild to moderate teeth stains and the differences between in-office whitening and take-home kits. 

Annual whitening

Many cosmetic and general dentists recommend professional teeth whitening annually. This allows patients with healthy teeth to keep their smile looking great all year long. In many instances, patients who do not have stained teeth utilize annual whitening to prevent any discoloration from developing. The length of time that the results of teeth whitening last varies, however, and some patients may only need professional teeth whitening once every 14 to 18 months. 

Mild teeth stains

Of course, the primary goal of professional teeth whitening is to improve the shade of teeth. This is particularly useful when there are stains on teeth. Most patients who have gone several years without professional teeth whitening can brighten their smile through treatment. Therefore, cosmetic and general dentists often recommend professional teeth whitening to patients who have healthy teeth enamel, do not have damaged teeth and have healthy gums. 

Moderate teeth stains

Minor teeth stains often only require one or two whitening sessions that are performed in a single visit. Moderate teeth stains can also be removed through professional whitening, although the process may be more extensive and possibly require more than one dentist visit. The dentist should help you establish realistic expectations as to what you can expect with moderate teeth stains. This is done using a shade guide. 

In-office vs. take home

In-office professional teeth whitening is typically safer and produces faster and longer-lasting results than take-home professional teeth whitening kits, although it may cost slightly more. Therefore, patients who want long-lasting results and want to ensure optimal safety, an in-office procedure is likely the best option. Also, in-office whitening can ensure any other oral health or cosmetic issues are addressed, such as dental cavities and periodontitis. 

How to start the professional teeth whitening process

The professional teeth whitening process begins with a consultation with a general dentist that offers treatment. During the visit, the dentist may conduct an oral examination to determine if the patient is a good candidate and make a treatment recommendation accordingly. If treatment is appropriate, then the whitening procedure can likely take place on the same day.

Professional teeth whitening for increased confidence

Give our team a call today if you are not entirely happy with the appearance of your smile due to teeth discoloration. Our friendly team can answer your questions and explain the process to you so that you feel comfortable before the professional teeth whitening procedure is performed on the first visit.

Request an appointment here: https://www.blissdentalsf.com or call Bliss Dental SF at (415) 200-1283 for an appointment in our San Francisco office.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Teeth Whitening in San Francisco, CA.