A beautiful smile makes a lasting impression, and if you need a quick fix to whiten your smile there are a few things that your dentist recommends for that first date or job interview.

According to Colgate, an attractive smile makes you look younger and appear more radiant. Having a great smile can also improve your confidence making you a shoe in when it comes to that job opportunity.

One of the quickest and least expensive ways to brighten your smile is to schedule an appointment with your dentist for in office tooth whitening. If you are unable to get in to see your dentist at the last minute or professional tooth whitening isn’t in your budget, you can buy whitening toothpaste, gel or whitening strips over the counter, but according to your dentist, you will not achieve the same results that you would if you have your teeth whitened by a professional.

Tooth bleaching kits from your local pharmacy contain less hydrogen peroxide than the products that your dentist uses. Over the counter tooth whitening rinses, gels, pastes, and strips only have about 3 to 10 percent while professional tooth bleaching products weigh in at 15 to 35 percent hydrogen peroxide.

In office tooth whitening is the quickest way to brighten your teeth and can be done in as little as an hour and a half.

During your appointment, your dentist will apply a special gel to your teeth before using a laser to penetrate the tooth whitening gel. You will notice dramatic results immediately. Your dentist may also recommend custom-made tooth whitening trays to use in conjunction with the in office Power Bleaching system.

If you have an event, such as a reunion or wedding, that is coming up in the future, schedule an appointment with your dentist who can determine if your teeth and gums are healthy enough for other dental restoration procedures including dental veneers, dental bonding or tooth colored fillings.

For more information regarding in office tooth whitening, custom made bleaching systems or other cosmetic dental techniques, schedule an appointment with your dentist today.