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The Moment Emily Saw the Photo
Emily wasn’t expecting the picture to bother her. It was just a quick snapshot, her sister testing the new holiday lights strung across the living room. But when Emily zoomed in, she noticed something she hadn’t paid much attention to before: her smile looked…dull. A little yellow, a little tired.
She stared at the photo longer than she meant to.
“Great,” she thought, “family pictures are in two weeks… and this is the smile I’m bringing?”
Emily had been looking forward to those photos. She’d bought matching sweaters for her kids, planned a hot-cocoa-afterwards tradition, and even scheduled the session around sunset for that perfect winter glow. But now, all she could see was the color of her teeth.
When the Holidays Sneak Up on You
Emily isn’t alone, this time of year has a way of surprising all of us. One minute you’re carving pumpkins, and the next you’re pricing wrapping paper and trying to remember where the good scissors went.
And tucked in the whirlwind of school concerts, last-minute shopping, and work deadlines, you suddenly remember two things at the exact same time:
- Holiday photos are coming fast
- Dental insurance benefits expire on December 31
For many patients at Bates Dental Care, that realization hits hard. You want to look your best, but you also don’t want to waste the dental benefits you’ve already paid for. Emily found herself in that exact balancing act.
The Conversation That Changed Everything
The next morning, Emily called Bates Dental Care. She wasn’t even sure what to say at first.
"Um… this might sound silly, but is there anything I can do quickly, like, for photos?"
Our team hears versions of that question every December. And the answer surprised her: yes, there absolutely is.
Because even though Bates Dental Care doesn’t offer in-office whitening, they do offer two take-home options that work especially well this time of year:
1. Custom Whitening Trays
A great choice for patients who want a precise, even whitening result. Custom trays fit perfectly around your teeth, helping the whitening gel stay exactly where it should. They also work on your schedule, great for someone like Emily, whose evenings were already packed with holiday prep.
2. Opalescence Go Take-Home Whitening
A ready-to-use system that doesn’t require impressions, perfect for patients in a hurry. Pop them in, wear them briefly each day, and watch the brightness build.
Emily felt relief wash over her. These weren’t gimmicky strips or unpredictable online kits. They were professional solutions trusted by her own dentist.
To learn more about cosmetic options like whitening, patients often explore the practice’s cosmetic dentistry treatments or even consider whether whitening might combine beautifully with Invisalign for longer-term smile goals.
Her Real Question: “Will It Work in Time?”
Emily needed honesty, not sugarcoating. And that’s exactly what she got.
I told her what I tell my own patients every December:
Professional take-home whitening doesn’t need months.
Most people see meaningful results in just a few days.
The gel is stronger and more predictable than what you find in stores. And because trays (especially custom ones) hold the gel in the right place, the whitening happens evenly, avoiding that patchy look that over-the-counter systems can sometimes produce.
Emily liked the sound of “a few days.” It suddenly made the whole thing feel possible.
This is also why many patients use whitening as part of their end-of-year dental visit, often combined with routine exams and X-rays, a smart move when benefits are about to disappear.
