When Is the Best Time to Whiten Your Teeth?

November 30, 2023 The Office of Dr. Kami Kohani Teeth Whitening

3 Min Read:

Are you considering whitening your teeth and unsure what is the best time to do it? Or perhaps you’re attending a special event soon and wondering what your teeth whitening options are and what other cosmetic improvements you can make so your smile looks its best.

When Should I Get My Teeth Whitened?

While you can choose when to schedule your teeth whitening whenever you’d like, there are certain advantageous times that you may want to keep in mind.

After a Professional Cleaning

It is best to have a professional dental cleaning before teeth whitening. During a dental cleaning, the dental hygienist will remove tartar and plaque buildup, which may make you satisfied with the appearance of your smile. If you would still like to get your teeth whitened, they will be in an ideal state to do so after getting cleaned, and you’ll have a smooth canvas ready for whitening.

Before Getting Any Tooth Restoration Work

If you’re also planning on getting restoration work on your teeth, it is best to whiten them first. Your dentist will match any crowns or veneers to the shade and color of the rest of your teeth to give you the most natural results possible. To ensure you get seamless, natural results, your teeth should already be whitened so your dentist can match your crowns or veneers to that color.

Prior to a Special Event

If you have a special event coming up where there are bound to be many pictures taken, you may want to consider getting your teeth whitened soon. Events such as graduation ceremonies, weddings, and reunions can be wonderful celebrations of achievements and life in general, and you’ll want to feel like your best possible self on those special days. Having newly whitened teeth can boost your confidence, making you smile even more while surrounded by loved ones.

Why Are My Teeth Still Yellow After Brushing?

While brushing your teeth is undoubtedly important for maintaining good dental hygiene and a great smile, brushing alone is not always enough to remove yellowing or stains. Smoking and using tobacco products tends to stain your teeth over time. There are also certain foods—coffee, tea, wine, berries, deeply colored sauces, sports drinks, carbonated drinks, candy, etc.—that are more prone to staining your teeth, especially if they are frequently consumed.

Teeth Whitening Treatment Options

Here at La Jolla Cosmetic Dentistry & Orthodontics, there are four teeth whitening options; some are done in-office, and others can be done at home. You can choose from OpalescenceⓇ Boost or KöR Whitening. If you’re looking for at-home possibilities, the KöR system offers options that always require at-home whitening initially but also includes an office component to apply the finishing touch to the process.

Additional Smile Restoration Procedures

If yellow teeth aren’t your only concern with your smile, you may want to consider ceramic crowns or veneers. Crowns are an excellent option for tooth decay issues, and veneers can treat minor to moderate gaps and damaged or disproportionate teeth.