Are you considering teeth whitening treatments and wondering how long their effects will last? Here, our Markham dentists explain the in-office and at-home whitening options you have, as well as the factors that can influence how long your smile will remain white.
What is teeth whitening?
As we age, our teeth become more and more susceptible to staining caused by food and other substances. Our tooth enamel actually naturally attracts food particles and products like tea, wine, coffee and more that have well-deserved reputations for staining teeth.
Today, more people are choosing in-office and at-home teeth whitening procedures to reverse 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?
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.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
While in-office teeth whitening has an immediate effect on your smile because of the high concentration of the bleaching gel your dentist uses, it doesn't permanently whiten teeth.
Because a dentist is performing your in-office teeth whitening treatment, it should be 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.
After some time, you will need to return for subsequent teeth whitening treatments. Continually exposing teeth to food and drink that causes staining means that the whiteness of your teeth will likely start 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 can help to freshen the effects of professional teeth whitening treatments - and you can do them in the comfort of your own home.
Most patients who undergo at-home teeth whitening notice a difference in the appearance of their smile within 10 to 14 days after beginning the whitening process. The final results usually appear by the end of the treatment period and they will last significantly longer than teeth whitening treatments that are purchased from the store.
The results of at-home teeth whitening can last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months depending on the treatment, how diligent you are about reapplying the gel and other factors that may arise.
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
- Level of staining before the teeth whitening procedure
- Type and strength of whitening treatment used
If you would like to know more about your teeth whitening options and what might work best for you, ask your dentist. You may also want to consider looking up reviews of teeth whitening treatments online to learn more about other patients' experiences.
