I’m getting married next month and want to have a great smile for my wedding photos. What’s the difference between whitening strips and getting tooth whitening done in the dental office? Is one better than the other? How long before the wedding should I get my teeth whitened?

Thanks in advance,

Tanya, Atlanta.

Hi Tanya,

Congratulations on your wedding, and if it is next month then you should plan to get your teeth whitened as soon as possible. The first thing to do is to make an appointment to see your dentist and to have your teeth cleaned professionally. This is because it’s essential that your teeth and gums are healthy before undergoing any kind of tooth whitening treatment as the chemicals used are quite strong. Getting your teeth cleaned will help to remove surface staining, so you’ll notice they will already look a little whiter afterwards.

Once your dentist has given you a clean bill of health then you can decide how to have it done. The safest and fastest way to have your teeth whitened is to have it done in the dental office. The process takes little more than an hour so you get to see the results right away, and it can be pretty amazing. Your dentist will be able to tell you what you can reasonably expect, and as the treatment is performed by a professional there is far less risk of any unwanted side effects.

As your wedding is coming up so fast I’d definitely recommend this method. After the treatment has been completed you will need to avoid highly colored foods and drinks for a few days until the teeth settle down, and you might experience slight sensitivity for a couple of days.

Teeth whitening strips can be used at home, and while they are reasonably effective will not produce such dramatic results as having it done properly in your dental office. They are used over a period of days and are generally left in place for 30 minutes. Most give full results in around 20 days which may be too late for your wedding.

Cheers,

Dr. Penchas