Your Invisalign® ProviderIf you have been thinking about brightening up your smile then you may have a few questions before you decide to move forward with treatment, such as how long your teeth will stay bright. Our Ontario dentists talk about what to expect from both in-office and at-home teeth whitening treatments and how long you can expect your teeth whitening to last.
What is professional teeth whitening?
As we age, our teeth become more susceptible to staining due to food 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 can you expect your teeth whitening effects to last?
Depending on whether you choose in-office teeth whitening or the at-home alternative, you'll want to keep in mind how long each are expected to last.
Professional Teeth Whitening in Our Office
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 all patients prior to teeth whitening in order 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 Professional Teeth Whitening Kit
Using take-home teeth whitening products from your dentist’s office can help to freshen the effects of professional teeth whitening treatments with the benefit of being able to do these in your own home.
Most patients notice a difference within 10 to 14 days of using 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 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
- Level of staining before the teeth whitening procedure
- Type and strength of whitening treatment used
If you would like to learn more about which option may be best for you and your smile please speak with your dentist. You might also want to consider looking up teeth whitening reviews online to learn about other patients’ experiences.