If you want to get your teeth professionally whitened, you probably want to know how long the effects will last. Today, our Brandon dentists share important details you should know about our in-office and take-home teeth whitening options and the factors that can determine how long the effects will last.
What is Teeth Whitening?
As we get older, our teeth start to become more vulnerable to stains as a result of the food and beverages we consume. By nature, our tooth enamel attracts food particles, and products such as coffee, wine tea, berries, and tobacco are famous for staining teeth.
More people are now opting for in-office and at-home teeth whitening treatments to help reverse the effects of aging and stains. Professional teeth whitening could help improve the confidence you have in your smile.
Here, we explain how long the effects of teeth whitening could last, and the measures you can implement to make sure your teeth stay as white as possible for as long as possible, after your treatment.
How Long the Effects of Teeth Whitening Lasts
Depending on whether you choose in-office teeth whitening or the at-home alternative, you'll want to keep in mind how long each is 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.
But, after a while, you will have to come back for follow-up teeth whitening treatments. If you keep exposing your teeth to drinks or foods that could stain your teeth, the whiteness of your teeth will probably begin to fade after several months.
If you limit your intake of these foods and beverages after your whitening treatment, you might only need a touchup after roughly a year.
At-Home Teeth Whitening
Using take-home teeth whitening products from your dentist’s office can help to fresh the effects of professional teeth whitening treatments - and you can do them in the comfort of your own home.
Most patients notice a difference within 10 to 14 days of 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 gleaned from at-home teeth whitening kits can last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months depending on the treatment, its strength, how diligent you are about reapplying the gel, 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:
- Level of staining before the teeth whitening procedure
- Type and strength of whitening treatment used
- Condition of your teeth
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.