Teeth Whitening
As we get older our teeth will naturally become more susceptible to staining due to the foods and other substances we consume. Our tooth enamel naturally attracts food particles, and products such as tobacco, tea, wine, coffee and even berries are notorious for staining teeth.
Today, more people are choosing in-office and at-home teeth whitening procedures to reverse the effects of stains and aging. Professional teeth whitening can help to improve your confidence in your smile.
In this post, we explore how long the effects of teeth whitening may last, and what you can do to ensure your teeth remain white as long as possible after treatment.
How long will the effects of teeth whitening last?
No matter if you choose in-office or at-home teeth whitening, you'll want to keep in mind how long each are expected to last.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
Though in-office teeth whitening has an immediate whitening effect on your smile due to a high-concentration bleaching gel, it will not permanently whiten your teeth.
Because a dentist is performing your in-office teeth whitening treatment, it’s safe, reliable and non-invasive. Dentists screen teeth whitening patients to ensure their oral health doesn’t preclude them from being a candidate for the treatment.
However, after a time you’ll need to return for subsequent teeth whitening treatments. If you continually expose your teeth to foods or drinks that may cause them to stain, the whiteness of your teeth will likely begin to fade after a few months.
Provided you avoid these foods and drinks following your treatment, you may only require a touchup after about a year.
At-Home Teeth Whitening
Using take-home teeth whitening products from your dentist’s office may be able to enhance the effects of professional teeth whitening treatments - and you can do them in the comfort of your own home.
Patients may start to notice a difference in the brightness of their teeth within 10 to 14 days after starting to use their at-home teeth whitening kit. The full results usually appear by the end of the treatment period, and they tend to last significantly longer than teeth whitening treatments purchased from the store.
The results that you see when using at-home teeth whitening can last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. These results vary based on the treatment used, the strength of the peroxide agent, how diligent you are with following treatment instructions, your diet, and other factors.
Of course, ensure you attend your regularly scheduled dental appointments, and that you maintain an excellent at-home oral health routine (including brushing and flossing daily).
A number of factors can influence how white your teeth look - and remain - after a teeth whitening treatment. The degree of whiteness varies from person to person depending on the:
- Condition of your teeth
- Type and strength of whitening treatment used
- Level of staining before the teeth whitening procedure
If you are curious about your teeth whitening options and which ones might work for you, speak with your dentist. You might also want to consider looking up teeth whitening reviews online to learn about other patients’ experiences.