Every now and then I'll get a request from a client to whiten their teeth while retouching their final images. Either they forgot to have it done beforehand or didn't realize it needs to be done until they saw their proofs. While a post-production dash of whitening is an easy task, you're still going to have the same teeth when you tape your additions. Better to have it done beforehand (and correctly) than have them 'fixed in post.'

How Does Teeth Whitening Work?

Whether you elect to buy your whitening treatment from the store or get treated through your dentist, the concept of whitening is basically the same. In most solutions, the active ingredient, either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, penetrates and bleaches stains from the tooth enamel.

Store-Bought vs. Professional Teeth Whitening

The whitening strips and trays you purchase at the store likely have a lower concentration of the bleaching agent; however, these solutions tend to be less expensive than going to your dentist’s office for treatment. Just keep in mind that treatment can take about two weeks to complete at home and will probably result in about two to three shades of color improvement. In contrast, professional whitening, which is performed in your dentist’s office, has a higher concentration and offers up to 10 shades of brightening power in just about an hour.

Which Teeth Whitening Solution Is Right for Your Headshot?

Although whitening toothpastes are probably the least expensive option, they are often abrasive, which can damage your tooth enamel in the long run. As a result, it’s not generally recommended to use this product. If you only need to take off a few shades from your teeth, whitening treatments you find at the store should suffice. However, for more shades of difference, you’ll need to consult your dentist to receive more powerful whitening power. Regardless of the teeth whitening treatment you choose, when you have your photo shoot with me, you can feel confident that your radiant smile will communicate who you are and that your headshots will show your best side!