Teeth whitening before your summer holiday: a bright smile in your holiday photos

As a dentist at Tandarts West in Rotterdam West, every spring I hear the same question: can I whiten my teeth before I go on holiday? The answer is almost always yes, and summer is a fine time for it. In this article I explain how professional whitening works, why you have it done safely at the dentist, and how you prepare your teeth for a bright smile. Is your smile travelling too? Then also read our guide on healthy teeth on your summer holiday.

Why summer is a good moment to whiten

Summer is all about being outside and being together. You take more photos than usual, celebrate weddings and festivals, and you are more often pictured with friends and family. A fresh, white smile gives you a little extra confidence at those moments. That is why many people deliberately choose spring or early summer to have their teeth whitened, so the result is ready exactly when it counts.

There is a practical reason too. Just before their holiday, many people already plan a dental check-up and a professional cleaning so they can travel worry-free. Those are exactly the steps that also belong to a good whitening treatment. So you can combine them nicely. That way you start the summer with clean, healthy and radiant teeth.

A beautiful smile does not have to be a risk. At the dentist you can be sure your teeth and gums stay healthy.

What professional whitening at the dentist involves with BlancOne

At Tandarts West in Rotterdam West we whiten with BlancOne, a professional whitening system developed specifically for dentists. BlancOne uses hydrogen peroxide within the European safety guideline, with a maximum of six percent for adults. That is a safe concentration that gives a visible result without damaging your enamel. The gel is always applied under the supervision of a dentist or under our guidance.

Two ways to whiten

• In the practice with BlancOne Click or Click+. One session of sixty to ninety minutes, with an immediately visible result. Ideal if you want to be ready quickly for your holiday.
• At home with BlancOne Home Night+. A home kit with trays made to fit your teeth, which you wear briefly each day for one to two weeks. Building up gently at your own pace, with whitening gel within the same safe guideline.

Which method suits you best is something we discuss together. That depends on your wishes, the time until you leave and the starting shade of your teeth. You always get an honest picture in advance of what is achievable, because not every discolouration responds the same way to whitening.

Try it yourself: swipe across the teeth

Swipe your finger or mouse across the teeth

Whiten all teeth Start over

For illustration. This is a demonstration, not a treatment result. How much lighter your teeth really become differs per person and is assessed by the dentist beforehand.

Why whitening at the dentist is safer than a drugstore kit

The shelves are full of whitening strips, gels and kits, and online you find even more. Still, I advise everyone not to experiment on their own. There are good reasons for that.

Drugstore products give little result

Over-the-counter products in the Netherlands are legally allowed to contain only up to 0.1 percent hydrogen peroxide. That is so little that you hardly achieve a visible difference. So you pay for a product that often disappoints.

Online and foreign kits can cause damage

Kits you buy online or abroad sometimes contain much higher concentrations than are permitted in the EU. Without a check-up beforehand and without custom trays, you then risk enamel damage, irritated gums and lasting sensitivity. Whitening gel that ends up on unprotected gums can cause painful spots. And if there is a cavity or a leaking filling in your teeth, the gel can penetrate too deeply.

At the dentist everything is matched up

At Tandarts West Rotterdam we first examine your teeth, protect your gums and choose the right strength and method for your situation. This gives you a predictable and safe result, with guidance if you have questions along the way. That is the big difference with muddling through on your own: with us you can be sure your enamel and gums stay healthy.

How to prepare: a check-up and clean teeth first

A nice whitening result starts with healthy teeth. That is why we always begin with two steps before we whiten.

Step 1: the check-up

During a dental check-up we look at whether your teeth are healthy enough to whiten. We check for cavities, leaking fillings and gum problems. If those are present, we treat them first. This prevents the whitening gel from ending up in the wrong place and ensures an even result.

Step 2: clean teeth

A professional cleaning by the dental hygienist removes tartar and surface stains. The whitening gel works more evenly and better on a clean tooth surface. Moreover, many people notice that their teeth already look fresher and lighter after a cleaning, even before any whitening. Want to know more about plaque and tartar? Read our article on preventing tartar.

After whitening you receive clear aftercare instructions. On the first day you avoid staining drinks such as coffee, tea and red wine, and products that leave stains. That gives the result the best start. With good oral hygiene and an occasional short touch-up, your smile stays nice for a long time.

Booking an appointment before your holiday

Do you want to appear in your holiday photos with a fresh, white smile? Then plan ahead. Allow one to two weeks between your first appointment and your departure, so there is room for the check-up, the cleaning and the whitening treatment itself. At Tandarts West at Taandersstraat 121 in Rotterdam West you can usually get an appointment quickly, also as a new patient and without a waiting list.

Not a patient yet? Register online and we will schedule your first appointment. Do you have a question about whitening or want to know which method suits you? Feel free to get in touch or call 010 846 6539. We are happy to think along with you, so you head into summer with peace of mind and a bright smile.