It is reunion season once again.

Everyone knows that the holiday season is that time of the year when you go out of your way to catch up with friends and loved ones old and new. And whether you’re doing it to impress one particular person or just your circle in general, no one can deny that now is also that one time of the year when you’ll need some extra help to look better.

While most people focus on getting a new color and haircut or dabbing on one facial serum after another to look fresher during the holidays, only a handful of smarter individuals actually pay special attention to getting a brighter smile before they start jumping from one gathering to the next.

Here are five reasons why you should invest a little bit of time and money to getting your teeth bleached before facing friends and loved ones:

1. Quick and provides instantaneous results—Here’s what happens when you go in for bleaching: your dentist or his dental hygienist takes a look at your teeth to assess its level of discoloration. He then proceeds to prepare the whitening solution, which he later applies on your teeth. After application, you sit on your dentist’s chair for about 30-60 minutes before he applies a special light to further activate the solution. You then rinse your mouth and walk out of the clinic with a significantly brighter, more impressive smile.

2. Safe—As a fairly simple procedure that uses hydrogen peroxide, teeth bleaching has been found to be fairly safe for everyone. The formula used does not attack the mineral structure of the tooth itself and the only possible side effect is temporary tooth sensitivity. However, pregnant and nursing mothers are discouraged from getting the service for precautionary reasons.

3. It makes you look more impressive—A study found that people with brighter pearly whites are perceived to be happier, more confident and successful compared to people with stained and discolored teeth. It is one of the best ways to improve your overall appearance without looking like you’re trying too hard. It also gives you the confidence to interact more and flash a smile more.

4. The effects last—Although it is not permanent (which means you will need to go back for another session if you want to maintain those pearly whites), going in for one session of this treatment can keep your teeth looking great for up to a year, depending on your lifestyle. Of course, if you smoke, drink coffee and eat sweets a lot, you may need to go in for another round sooner.
5. Giving your dentist a chance to check up on your oral health—If you’re the type to delay your dental appointment until you really have to, here’s one good reason to finally get yourself in your dentist’s office. Regular dental check-up is important for everyone as it gives your doctor the chance to identify (and stop) developing problems which may cost you more in the future. To learn more about why you should pay your dentist a visit regularly, click here.

It is important to note that teeth bleaching or teeth whitening is not for everyone. People with porcelain or composite dental crowns, for example, may only end up with an uneven smile if they insist on getting their teeth bleached. Why? Because the procedure cannot lighten materials used in creating fake teeth. In addition, people whose teeth discoloration is caused by underlying problems should go for a more comprehensive check-up to find its cause and get it treated before things get more serious.