As your embark on your post-braces journey, one way to best showcase your perfectly-aligned teeth is to have them professionally whitened (bleached). A dentist will apply peroxide with a laser to give you immediate effects. The procedure is safe for your teeth, and can last several years.
If you wore traditional brackets, some of the cement from the braces will remain on your teeth after removal. It is best to wait to whiten for approximately one month after braces. At this point, whitening becomes a fantastic option to enhance the results of your orthodontic treatment.
Here are some of ways that brightening those pearly whites will help you celebrate your smile.
Look Better
As you can probably guess, the most straightforward reason to whiten after braces is so that your teeth look even better. You likely just spent years wearing braces to correct misalignment of your teeth or bite. After that investment of both time and money, you don’t want stained teeth to detract from your new appearance.
Self Esteem
Add a whiter smile to a healthy bite and straight teeth, and you have a recipe for a self-esteem boost. If you think are looking your best, you’ll start to feel your best. As a result, you will smile more often and become less self-conscious or uncomfortable while interacting with people. When people sense your confidence, they will treat you with greater respect and find your company more enjoyable.
Look Younger
A whiter smile tends to minimize the appearance of facial wrinkles, giving way to a more youthful and energetic appearance. Whiter teeth also are associated with beauty and a healthier lifestyle.
Get More Attention
If you like attention, you are likely to start getting more of it once you sport a flawless grin. Those clean, white and straight teeth make it easier for others to focus on you, and give you a friendlier appearance. Just as you feel more confident talking to others, they also will feel more confident conversing with you.
Low Risk
Teeth-whitening procedures come with minimal risks. The most common side effect is increased sensitivity—either of the teeth, gums or both—which is usually temporary. Overuse of whitening products can erode your teeth, but a professional will tell you exactly how to avoid this.
Inexpensive Appearance Boost
Finally, the benefits of teeth whitening are high, and the cost is low. A professional whitening treatment averages about $600, which is reasonable considering its quality and longevity. If that’s more than you want to spend, a variety of do-it-yourself whitening methods can start as low as $20.
At Orthodontic Associates, we look forward to providing you with the best-possible experience both during and after your time in braces at any of our nine convenient locations around Baltimore. We recommend that you speak to your general dentist to go over all of the different whitening options they have in their offices.
